Clippers Bring the Thunder

What a game! Just finished watching the Clippers abuse the Thunder in the 4th quarter, holding Durant and Westbrook to a combined single digits in teh second half and I gotta admit it, I’m sold. Don’t get me wrong, they have to make a couple of adjustments like boxing out and not allowing so many offensive rebounds. DeAndre Jordan also needs to get his head in the game.  The Clippers need his big body clogging up the pain in the final minutes.

Not much I can say about the Clipper guards though.  Chris Paul can pretty much get any shot off he wants.  As long as Mo Williams and Randy Foye keep shooting like he did tonight they’re cruise to the Western Conference Finals, at the very least.  And I gotta admit, the Nick Young trade is HUGE! Back to back 3s in the 3rd quarter plus a few other buckets kept the Clips in the game when they couldn’t buy a bucket.  I’m pumped about the playoffs, only 2 weeks left.  I know, I forgot to mention Blake Griffin. He’s awesome.  Get’s no respect from the refs. He needs to stop complaining though.  Clippers in the playoffs for the first time since 2006.  Time to make some noise.

Lakers’ Christmas Wish

So it seems like the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in Chris Paul and Dwight Howard.  Let’s just say it works cap-wise, how the heck would New Orleans and Orlando basically hand the Lakers the Championship. The Lakers starting lineup would be Chris Paul at the point, Kobe at the 2, Ron Artest at the small forward, Dwight Howard in the middle and Derrick Caracter at power forward?  In essence, the Lakers are going all in with this move, if it happens.  I do like trading away Andrew Bynum.  He’s had knee problems for a while and I don’t think he likes being a 4th option. I’d love to see how he is when he’s the man.  Although I’d miss Pau Gasol, getting Howard will give the Lakers a physical presence in the paint.  As for L.O., consistency has always been a problem for Lamar.  Double-double one game, M.I.A. the next. Getting Chris Paul will finally give the Lakers a true point guard, one they haven’t had since Magic. I can see the Dwight Howard trade happening but not Chris Paul. Paul has made it obviosu that he wants to go to NY to play with Carmelo and Amare.  Paul is not an LA guy.  He’s East Coast. If the Lakers made this move, it would be the sickest every.  Better than the Shaq signing, better than the Pau Gasol. Anyway, Lakers better be good if they want Santa to give them title hopes for the next 5 years…

CELTS PUT AN END TO KNICKS MISERY

Thanks for coming New York. The Celtics completed a sweep of Knicks today, waxing them in the Garden.  I’m a little disappointed in the way the Knicks finished this series.  Sure, you can blame it on injuries, but after losing by a couple points both times in Boston in games 1 & 2, I thought (I don’t know why) that they would at least get one game at home.  Instead, the Knickerbockers just rolled over and played dead. Again, I understand the woes of Amare and Chauncy, but I gotta be honest with you, there are some players on the Knicks squad that shouldn’t be in the NBA, let alone starting.  I’m happy NY made it to the playoffs, but they’re still a long way from becoming competitors. I’m also gonna need a little more from Carmelo.  He seems to be always smiling (ala Dwight Howard). Lead your team for Pete’s sake.  I feel like this guy lacks that certain “umphh” that the Kobes and Chris Pauls and Dwayne Wades possess.  Heck, the Celtics Big 4 all have that swagger that says wreaks of “I’ma kill you!”  Anyway, still a successful season for the Knicks.  Next year, they’re gonna have to improve and move on to the second round, let alone win 1 playoff game. They’re gonna need to sign some players.  Can’t win with Ronny Turiaf in your starting lineup. By the way, get rid of this guy while your at it (Spike Lee).

DERRICK ROSE IS LEGIT

It’s time to give credit where it’s due. Derrick Rose is the quickest point guard in the league. Derrick Rose is the best scoring point guard in the league. Derrick Rose is averaging 8.5 assists and 1 steal a game. Dare I say he’s the best point guard in the league? Remember,  a point guard has to have that unique ability to score, penetrate, and dish.  And oh yeah, some defense wouldn’t be bad.  I always liked Steve Nash but he never played defense.  I love Rajon Rondo but he’s not enough of an offensive threat.Deron Williams is probably the only comparable guard out there, but he’s got 4 more years of miles on him and I’m pretty sure that Rose is a step quicker.  I’ve never seen someone change directions quicker than Rose.  Let’s not forget Chris Paul. The epitome of a true point guard.  16 ppg and almost 10 dimes, not bad, but not Rose. One last kid I’m gonna mention is Russell Westbrook. I think him and Rose are gonna be going at it for the next decade. I still think Rose is the cream of the crop.  The scary thing is he’s only 23 years old and has years of getting better.  We already saw his 3-point shot improve from 22% in his rookie year to 36% this year. His points per game, free throw %, assists, steals, blocks and rebounds are all increasing each yet.  I’d like to see his shooting percentage over 45% but he’s pretty much on the border.  Enough strokin’ this guy.  He’s money. All we gotta do is give him a nickname, ‘cuz “Pooh” ain’t cutting it. P.S. he’s got the prettiest teardrop floater in the league.

What Happened to the New Orleans Hornets?

Two years, ago, this team took the San Antonio Spurs to a game seven of the Western Conference semi-finals and lost.  And all everyone could think about was, this team is going to be a contender for the next 5 years, AT LEAST.  They had the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul, an up and coming emerging power forward in David West, a Peja Stojakovic who could still hit a three, and a supporting cast of Tyson Chandler, Morris Peterson, Chris “Birdman” Anderson, Bonzi Wells, Bobby Jackson, and Rasual Butler, to say the least????  What the heck happened to this team? If the playoffs started today, they’d be watching from the sidelines.  No more Tyson, no more Birdman, an injury prone Chris Paul.  Sure, they play in the powerful Western Conference but this team went from one of those scary teams on the schedule to a sorry ass, maybe sneak into the playoffs as an eight seed and one and done.  It goes to show you how hard it is to stay competitive for consecutive years, let alone 5 or 10.  Kudos to winning franchises like the Celtics and Lakers who have been winning for years, even through making trades. After losing to the Spurs at home tonight, the Hornets are now a whimpy 31-30, 1 game over .500.  I personally hope they make the playoffs so the Lakers get a first round bye, so to speak…

RECOGNIZE Chris Paul

I believe in Chris Paul.  Apparently, Rajon Rondo doesn’t. After the Celtics beat the Hornets by 10 in Boston on Sunday, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo felt he needed to let Paul know what up. Words were exchanged but nothing ensued.  Let me just say this: Rajon Rondo can’t hold Chris Paul’s jockstrap (if that make sense).  What I’m trying to say is Rondo wishes he can become as good as Paul.  I turned into a huge Rondo believer after he tore it up in the playoffs last year.  But disrespect is not cool.  Rondo needs to realize the truth.  He has 3 hall of famers on his team in Garnett, Pierce and Allen.  Not only that, but throw in a Rasheed Wallace and they’ve already become the favorite to win the East.  Unfortunatley Paul’s supporting cast isn’t as good, Emeka and David West? Paul is averaging 26 pts and 7 assists, Rondo 6.5 and 12.  In 5 years, Paul is averaging 20 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 2/5 assists.  Rondo on the other hand, in 4 years, 10 points, 6 assists, under 2 steals and 4.4 rebounds.  I know Rondo is on his way to bigger and better things.  Hell, he just signed a 5 year $55 million extension with the Celtics. Although, he needs to show respect to the players that have earned theirs, and Chris Paul is that.  Heck, I don’t even think Rondo has a nickname yet.  CP3 or Chef Paul (I like the latter), might be the coolest in the league.  Back off Rondo, you don’t want to wake up a sleeping little giant. That’s the best point guard in the league…

KOBE: “I just wanted to shoot it in his face”

??? Ok, time to get your minds out of the gutter, it was actually a quote from Kobe after he nailed a 3-pointer in the face of James Posey of New Orleans Hornets. Some KEY points to remember: Yes, the Lakers beat the Hornets 93-86 in what was their biggest test of the season. Yes, the Lakers haven’t lost a game this season, yet. Yes, the Lakers are the best team in the NBA, right now. Finally, NO, the Lakers are not going 82-0.  After watching this game, tell me Chris Paul isn’t the best point guard in the league? Kudos to the Miluakee Bucks in drafting Andrew Bynum that year and the Atlanta Hawks in Marvin Williams.  Talk about setting your franchise back a decade.  Anyway, back to Hollywood, back to LA where the weather’s not the only thing that’s perfect. Enjoy the streak while it lasts.  Looking at the Lakers’ schedule, I’m predicting November 20 at Phoenix as the day it comes to an end.  Sorry.

TEAM KOBE BRINGS HOME THE GOLD

It was close, it was a nail biter, but in the end…U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! Kobe Bryant, taking over in the fourth quarter and finishing the game off with 20 points and 6 assists and a HUGE 4-point play. Let’s not forget to give props to Spain.  Not only did they fair better than the last time they played the US, but I think they’ve also made people forget the infamous “slanted eyes” photo.  After getting blown away by 37 points the first time these two met, Spain hung on for as long as they could before running out of gas and losing by 11. I’m not sure if it’s better than winning the NBA Title but at least it lasts for 4 years instead of NBA’s 1. Plus, you can honestly claim the title “World Champs.”  I’m still wondering what the role of Carlos Boozer was in this game?

New Orleans Hornets Are For REAL

The “real deal” Hornets, sorry Evander.  Everybody, look at the makeup of this team.  See what a stud point guard can do to a team? Chris Paul, Chef Paul, Lord Paul, Ron Paul or whatever else is leading this team to perhaps the promised land (by promised land I mean playoffs).  On Saturday night they once again proved to the rest of the league how good they really are, beating the Phoenix Suns 101-98. Paul, a measly 21 points and 10 assists. On the year, 21.5 points, 9.6 assists, 2.7 steals and 4 boards a game. Not bad for his 3rd year in the league.  Hey Hawks, how’s that Marvin Lewis pick working for you?

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.