CAN INDIANA KEEP PACE WITH THE HEAT?

What are the chances the Indiana Pacers beat the Miami Heat?  What are the chances my San Antonio Spurs (that’s right, I said MY Spurs) can get a break this NBA Finals and play the Pacers? My guess is that the Heat will beat the Pacers in 7 but wouldn’t it have been nice if head coach Frank Vogel didn’t f-up game 1? Indiana would be up 3-1 right now and just chillin.  Instead, they’re tied 2-2, and have to start from scratch. I believe the odds of winning the series are in favor of the game 5 winner so I’ll definitely be rooting for the Pacers.  Indiana has played the Heat tougher than anyone this post-season and I’m giving them about a 35% chance to pull off this upset.

On a side note, I do think the NBA needs to crack down on all this flopping.  It makes me sick.  Back in days of the Detroit Pistons and Celtics v. Lakers, any player would get knocked out if they ever flopped like Lebron and David West did the other day.  The $5,000 fine they levied on these guys is a joke (unfortunately, his name slips my mind right now). Oh well, they don’t make them like they used to and clearly the game has changed. I must say though, I’m actually enjoying these finals.  If you have any good karma left, throw it the Spurs way.  They deserve to win.  They will win.  They’re the prototypical franchise with ideal players.  No complaining, no talks about contract extensions. Heck, Parker and Duncan don’t even have twitter accounts! With that said, let’s go Spurs!

NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW: WESTERN CONFERENCE

What was always the more interesting of the 2 conferences is turning out to be a bore.  But before we turn the page on the Western Conference playoffs, here are my picks for the first round:

Memphis Grizzlies v. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs have amassed the best record in the West and for good reason.  I’m a little concerned with the Ginobli injury but playing against a young and inexperienced Memphis team is the perfect anecdote. With OJ Mayo regressing, I don’t think Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol can lead them past the Spurs for a whole series.  Look for the Grizz to steal a game or 2 but the Spurs should coast through this seriers

New Orleans Hornets v. Los Angeles Lakers: The surging Lakers all of a sudden have run into a wall.  Injuries to Bynum and an irate Bryant, this team looks like the lost their flow.  But let’s not forget, they’re the Lakers, they come with a lot of baggage and drama, but at the end of the day, they’re good, they’re stacked, they’re experienced.  The series with the Hornets might go to 6 but the Lakers should pull it out.

Dallas Mavericks v. Portland Trail Blazers: Can someone say upset special? True the Mavs have Dirk and Terry but is anyone ever afraid of them.  There’s something about Lamarcus Alridge and the Blazers that you don’t wanna mess with.  I’m not saying the Mavs don’t stand a chance, but if they blow home court, I don’t think they’re gonna be able to pull off a win in Portland.

Oklahoma City Thunder v. Denver Nuggets: The Thuggets have been playing better without Carmelo, but it’s time to come back down to reality. The Thunder are legit contenders to win the West and have the best chance to upend the Lakers.  The addition of Perkins (and his big mouth) have given this team a true force in the middle.  Watch for these guys to sweep the Nuggets. Sorry J.R. Smith, you know I hate it when you lose (that’s call online sarcasm).

Enjoy round 1!!!

Clippers Suck

So I tuned in just in time today to catch the last 20 seconds of the Clippers game against the Spurs at the Staples Center. Tie game 83-83, Spurs’ SG Roger Mason, that’s right folks, WHO!!! has the ball near halfcourt.  He waits for a pick by Tim Duncan and boom, wide open 3 pointer, 86-83, thanks for coming Clippers.  Then, to make matters worse, Clippers’ head coach Mike Dunleavy draws up the worse play for Baron Davis with only 8 tics on the clock. Now we all know the Clippers were going to lose the game against the Spurs, but to get beat by a no name in Roger Mason, off a WIDE OPEN 3-pointer.  Then, to top it off, have a horrible shot at tying the game in a fade away 3 pointer with time running out.  GET RID OF THIS GUY (Dunleavy). He’s gotta be the worst head coach EVER. The Clippers age going nowhere fast and they need to fire Dunleavy.  He’s been a cancer everwhere he’s coached.  His face says it all.  This guy can’t coach a team. P.S. the Clippers are 1-9.