WHAT HAPPENED TO STEVE NASH?

Is it just me or does Steve Nash suck? I know he’s 40 or 400 years old but the Lakers’ signing him last year was so promising…. I never thought that he would be this big of a liability. Now, he can’t play on back end of a back to back games and is constantly injured. It’s sad to see a 2 time MVP fall like this.  And I’m not even talking about the heist job he’s pulling on the Lakers, 3 years at $27 million? So disappointing…. I’ve never seen a worse group of point guards on a team: Nash, Steve Blake, Jordan Farmar. Nash is average under 5 assists a game and under 7 points a game… are you kidding me? Can’t wait ’till the end of the season for the Lakers to clear up some cap space and some some real players and not these Div 3 scrubs…

.485

If you’re wondering why the Lakers can’t get over the .500 hump, look no further then their biggest problem, coming from their biggest man, Dwight Howard.  He’s shooting .485 from the free throw line.  Called “free” for a reason.  Called “charity stripe” for that same reason.  Yet big Dwight, who runs up and down the floor so lackadaisically, just can’t seem to put it together.  Imaging how frustrating it is to make a stop on the defensive end, come down with the ball, get it to the big guy who gets fouled, is sent to the line, and misses both free throws.  And its not happening once a game, he went 3 for 14 from the line yesterday. I mean talk about demoralizing to the rest of the team.  You can see it in Kobe’s body language.  You can even see it in Nash’s body language.  Missing freethrows has gotten contagious.  I bet you didn’t know that Howard made 67% of his freethrows in his rookie year? Howard is a perfect headcase.  You knew in the first quarter that he wasn’t gonna have a decent/respectable day from the line.  You can see it in his eyes.  Try to focus for pete’s sake.  We’re not asking for much, just 50%.  Just run up and down the court with energy.  You have bad hands. That’s why people don’t pass you the ball often.  You goaltend at least 1 shot a game.  I’m frustrated.  What good is it going to do for the Lakers to make the first round of the playoffs. So we can all watch them get swept by the Thunder?  I’m predicting that they’re not going to make the playoffs so we don’t have to worry about it.  The Lakers should’ve traded Howard before the deadline.  Big mistake by Jimmy Buss. Then again, so was hiring D’antoni.

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE NBA-MAS

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am pumped about the NBA season which is set to kick off Tuesday night! Maybe it’s because I’m a Lakers homer, but c’mon, you gotta admit Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant on the same team sounds intriguing? How about the Clippers adding Grant Hill, Odom and Jamaal Crawford? Will Blake’s knee hold up? The scariest move for me was the Heat signing Ray Allen. A consistent shooter on a dangerous team like that.  I have them as favorites to win it all. I like what Boston did in picking Jason Terry but it ain’t gonna be enough. Not only are KG and Paul Pierce 1 year older, but they have no depth. I can’t wait for the annual Knicks’ Amare v. Carmelo drama to begin.  With Harden gone from OKC (BIG MISTAKE), I can’t see the any legitimate threat for the Lakers in the west.  Not even Iguodola in Denver is gonna make a difference.  Then again, isn’t it true that every NBA team is 1 injury away from going to the cellar? Look what happened to D-Rose and Chicago. Truth be told, I don’t even think he’s coming back this year.  Chicago might end up being a lottery team. Hang on folks, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!

Good Ol’ Fashion Shootout at Staples

We knew that the Phoenix Suns don’t play defense.  We also know that the Lakers have “momentary” lapses on D but a triple overtime game and a final score of 139-137 is ridiculous. Nice to see Lamar Odom step up and have a monster double double.  We all know that Kobe can drop 40 in a game, let alone triple overtime.  Big game for Ron Artest coming through in the clutch.  Pnonix on the other hand, this teamhas gone from sheik to geek overnight.  Remember when they had the starting lineup of Amare, Shawn Marion, Steve Nash? Well, they pretty much gave away these guys. Now they have a trio of Nash, Grant Hill, and Vince Carter.  Great team if this was 10 years ago.  All these guys, including Nash are over the hill.  I know, it suck to say it but that’s the truth. As for the Lakers,  we all know they’ve been rolling since the All-Star break. They’ve won 13 of their last 14 games and have 11 games remaining on their schedule.  I don’t think they’re gonna catch the Spurs, who are 6 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers but who cares? The biggest challenge for the Lakers are the Thunder and the way things are going right now, it looks like the Thunder are going to have to go through San Antonio before they face the Lakers. Next victim for the Lakers, Clippers at home.

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.

LAKERS BACK IN THE FINALS

This one shouldn’t have been this close.  How did I know that the Lakers were going to blow a huge lead and let this one go down to the wire.  It’s gotta feel great to close out a series on the road.  You silence the crowd, everyone in Phoenix going to there adobe houses sad… Kobe Bryant showing everyone why he is the best player in the league right now.  That’s right, not Lebron.  Did you see those shots he took at the end of the game? Unbelievable, that’s all I have to say. And not 1 shot, dagger after dagger with double teams in his face. Amare Stoudamrie decided to wake up in the second half, throwing it down on Gasol.  That was nice.  Too little too late though.  Stupid Sasha Vujacic, almost costing the Lakers the game with his technical, giving Phoenix a 7 point trip and plenty of momentum that made this game close.  They should’ve double Tech-ed Sasha and Goran for Goran’s shit talking, but of course, no one ever sees the instigator. Nice to see Ron Artest’s confidence taking off, and just in time for the Boston Series. We’re gonna need him.  He was shooting and playing like the Ron of last year. A little disappointed with Pau Gasol’s play.  Looked soft on offense and worse on defense. Let’s hope that it’s just a fluke.  Even Super Pau needs a day off. Valiant effort by the Suns, but I don’t see Amare hangin’ around.  He’s been trade bait for years and frankly, if I were him, I’d give Lebron and D-Wade a call. On to the finals, Boston vs. LA.  This is gonna be tough for the Lakers.  I have this sick feeling deep in my stomach, hope it’s not a Boston Championship.

Ron Artest: Welcome to SHOWTIME

This is not the reason why the Lakers signed Ron Artest in the offseason.  But it’s definitely the reason Ron Artest signed with the Lakers.  Talk about making a play.  Ron Artest hit the game winning shot tonight to put the Lakers up 3-2. The first time in a long time that I found myself jump out of my seat in excitement, kinda fell good. The Lakers had the game won, being up by 16 at one point but then let the lead trickle away in true LA fashion and it seemed like Phoenix had controlled the “mo.” Recognizing that Kobe Bryant’s 3-pointer was going to fall short, Artest muscled his way into the paint, grabbed the rebound, and with his own teammate D-Fish banging into him, put the game winner in… Phoenix, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I’ll give it to the Suns though, they played a hell of a game.  Big mistake by Coach Gentry not putting in Brook Lopez and Amare Stoudamire in the last play to box out for the boards. This was the game the Suns could’ve stolen, and frankly should’ve stolen.  Now, they have to go back to Phoenix and try to muster up some energy to win and then come back to LA. Not sure I’ve said this before, but Steve Nash is sick.  Props to D-Fish for dropping 22. Is it time to worry about Andrew Bynum’s knee yet? 2 points on 0-5 shooting in 19 minutes of play? Might be good enough to beat the Suns but we’re gonna have problems against those nasty Celtics.

Phoenix Boycotts Lakers

Did anyone actually think that the Lakers were going to go into Phoenix and close out the deal? I didn’t. That’s not what the Lakers do. They win when they need to and frankly, tonight, they didn’t (win or need to). They’ll will the next one at Staples, drop the one after in Phoenix and then close it out at home, Game 7. Lakers’ bench, sans Lamar Odom, was a combined 2 for 13. Jordan Farmar has got to be the worst player ever. My guess is he won’t be with the Lakers next year. My wish is that he won’t be in the NBA next year. Why can’t the Lakers pick up someone like Goran Dragic of the Suns? Drafted #48 and traded to the Suns? The kid had 8 assists in 18 minutes. Nevertheless, my worry isn’t the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers will get past them. My worry is the Celtics. Toughness, grit, trenches, I don’t know how the Lakers are gonna get past them. But I’ll save that conversation for another blog.

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Portland v. Phoenix: The Phoenix Suns have been playing like the Suns of old.  Amare Stoudamire finally looks like the beast he was a few years ago.  Steve Nash is still one of the top point guards in the league. They’re facing a depleted Portland team without their star Brandon Roy. Marcus Camby is one of those proven “losers” who will never be on a winning team. I like Batum, LaMarcus and A-Miller but they just don’t have enough firepower without Roy. Neither one of these teams is advancing past the second round anyway.  I’ll take the Suns in 7.

Dallas v. San Antonio: Remember a couple months ago when the Mavericks were streaking, I think they won 13 in a row?  Well, streaks over now.  The Caron Butler hype has died down. It’s the Spurs that are playing the best basketball in the West.  It’s too bad these two teams had to match up in the first round.  While offensively both these teams have the ability to win the game, same ol’ story for the Mavs…no defense, no fundamentals.  Enter the “Big F” himself in Tim Duncan, with the best offseason pickup of the year in Richard Jefferson, and you got a recipe for success.  As long as Tony Parker can play like he used to, and Ginobli continue what he’s doing, the Spurs should take this series in 6, and the only reason it goes that far is ’cause the Mavs have home court advantage.

Utah v. Denver : This is going to be the most interesting match-up in the first round.  I would love to see the Nuggets fail (man do I hate J.R. Smith) but they just have a little more swagger and tougness than the Jazz.  Carmelo Anthony is a bonafide superstar that can take over any game and Mr. Big Shot Billups has been to the promised land and knows hot to get there again. I am concerned however about the depth of the Jazz.  Paul Milsap has been a bust since signing that big offseason contract extension. Boozer and D-Will are solid but there’s no one else that you can rely on (maybe Okur).  Jazz are hurting at shooting guard and small forward, AK-47 is injured.  Kyle Korver can only shoot 3s.  It’s gonna be gritty but the Nuggets should wrap this up in 5.

Oklahoma City v. Lakers: Now on paper, you would take the Lakers in 4.  BUT, the Lakers have taken care of business all year.  They don’t put teams away when they should.  Their bench has been MIA all year.  Kobe’s finger is STILL an issue.  Bynum’s health is still in question. With that said, I do expect a HUGE series from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.  Nobody is gonna be able to stop these guys.  The Thunder, on the other hand, have nothing to lose.  Kevin Durant is having an MVP type season. But that’s it.  Russell Westbrook FG% and 3pt% is horrible.  Sure, he can drive and dish and dunk but if he can’t stretch the defense with his outside shooting, they’re gonna have problems.  Plus, with the size the Lakers have, I don’t think the Thunder is going to do much in the paint.  Look for the Lakers to outshine the Thunder, LA in 4 (did I just say that?)

Hell Has Frozen Over…

That’s the only way I can explain the Phoenix Suns’ loss to the New York Knicks.  Not only did they lose, but David Lee took a shit (excuse my language) on Amare Stoudemire. Let’s compare starting lineups: Suns have Nash, Shaq, Amare, Grant Hill and J-Rich while the Knicks have Chris Duhon, Jared Jeffries, Q-Rich, David Lee and Wilson Chandler? Who? What? HUH?  Something is wrong in Phoenix, and I might be mistaken but it all goes back to the Shawn Marion for Shaq trade. The Suns traded quickness and defense for 1/2 court offense and a lot of catchy phrases.  Then D’Antoni leaves in the offseason for $$$ in NY and to top it off, they trade Raja Bell and Boris Diaw for J-Richardson. This team still has talent but they’re going nowhere, fast. I hate to say it but they need an escape goat, a shake-up. Sorry Terry Porter, but this team is underachieving, BIG TIME and it’s all your fault.  The longer it takes for this team to gel, the older they get.  With 3 of their starting five over the age of 34, the biological clock for this Suns’ team is ticking fast. If you don’t agree, I’d love to hear your reason why the Suns are sucking it up.  And PLEASE, don’t tell me the Knicks are good.