- The Cavs-Pistons series came to a close today as the King's Men completed the first round sweep with a 99-78 win in Detroit. Not only does this end the Piston's season, but it also ends the recent monopoly they have had over the Eastern Conference. Over the last 5-10 years, the Pistons making it to the Eastern Conference Finals was about as regular of an occurrence as the sun rising in the morning. Some years ago when asked when their reign over the East would end, Joe Dumars said, "when our bigs no longer dominate the game." That's obviously the case now as the once-defensive beast Ben Wallace is long gone, along with the afro, and Rasheed is still talented, but not the same player he was back then. Multiple coaching changes, decline of the inside game, and the departure of Chauncey Billups are the reasons why this empire is no more. It's a sad day to the see Pistons gone in the first round, I always had much respect for the defense and team concept. DEEEETROIIIITTT BASKETBALLLLL.
- Where one run ends, another begins, as my camping co-blogger has said, the East will now be owned by the Cavaliers.
- Celtics-Bulls: I LOVE this series. After a game three shellacking, the Bulls came out and endured a dog-fight to defend their home court, evening the series at 2-2 with a double overtime victory at the United Center. Rajon Rondo is the player of this series, he had a triple-double today, and has two total for the series. On the opposite side of the court, Derrick Rose was one assist shy of the triple-double feat himself. I'm a huge fan of Derrick Rose; I'm amazed by his quickness and athleticism every time I watch him play. This point guard matchup is making this series what it is, and I hope it can blossom into an annual contest between these two. As much as I ooze over this series and think it should go seven, I can't say it would be the same if the Big Ticket were playing. KG anchors that Celtic D, and with him on the court, I don't think they would have some of the same defensive fallacies they are experiencing in late game situations that allow the Bulls to stay in/win games. His vocality and leadership is desperately needed at times. He can yell from the bench all he wants in his clean sweater-n-suit combos, but it's not the same without him in the paint.
- I'm currently watching the Magic-Sixers game right now, and Orlando is up 4 with 2:45 left to play. This would be incredible for Philly if they can take a 3-1 series lead tonight. Props to Thaddeus Young in Game 3 for that game-winner over Superman.
- I have been disappointed in my man Joe and his Hawks. They are in a 2-1 hole against DWade and the Heat. I know everyone thinks Dwyane Wade is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but somebody please stop this man and his team. Game 4 is tomorrow and I'm hoping for better results than Game 3. Go Hawks, put your pieces together and make it happen.
- The Lakers will look to close out their series against the Jazz tomorrow night in LA. After a poor shooting night in Game 3 (5-24), Kobe flipped the script as they say in Game 4, torching the Jazz with 38 on 16-24 shooting. Utah looked good in their one victory; however, I don't think great games out of D-Wil and Boozer will be enough to come back and win this series. I see the Lakers delivering the knockout punch tomorrow night at Staples.
- I know I should, but I really just don't want to talk about the Nuggets-Hornets series. I like very few people involved in that whole thing.
- Houston and Portland game 4 tonight, and Houston can put a stranglehold on this thing with a W. A vic puts the Rox up 3-1, and I don't think Portland has the experience to come back from that kinda deficit in the playoffs.
- Magic-Sixers game just ended, Hedo Turkoglu with the game-winning three with 1.1 seconds left. Series tied at 2-2. I guess he really is the Turkish Michael Jordan huh?
- Now to the first round series with any significance, Mavs-Spurs. Game four was yesterday in the Dirty D, and not to my surprise, the Mavs came out and all but ended the series with a 99-90 victory. Ironic stat of the night: the winning team shot 38%. Show me a team that can beat the Spurs shooting 38%, and I'll show you a Spurs team that isn't the same as it used to be. San Antonio really does not have a lot going for them once they get past Parker and Duncan. Tony Parker put it well when he told ESPN, "[Dallas] has more weapons than us." And one of those weapons, many call him the X-factor of the series (told you HE), is Josh Howard. Ankle injury? What ankle injury? As Mars Blackmon would say "Money, it's gotta be the shoes" (Jordan commercial, Josh wears Jordans, get me?) . They can slow down Dirk, force Terry into tough shots, deter JJ from getting in the paint, but they can't take the man from Wake out of his game. I really feel like this series is the Mavs' for the taking, so go ahead and take it fellas.
- Shout out to Ryan Hollins for giving some crucial minutes in the second half, the three blocks and put-back dunk were HUGE, not to mention the 8 boards (4 offensive).
That's what your boy here thinks about what's going on in the hoops world. Props to Dr. James A. Naismith for creating the game.
Keep it real homies,
Dr. W.P. Neely
Basketball Analyst Extraordinaire
1) "I always had much respect for the defense and team concept"....sounds like Spurs basketball to me ;)
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3) Back to the Spurs, Greggy Pop should have won coach of the year HANDS DOWN! No other human could have carried this spurs team (who happened to be on life support all year with age), had multiple injuries to their big 3, and have one of the oldest and most overrated supporting casts in the league, yet still carry their squad to the 3 seed in the west.
you call yourself a basketball analyst extraordinaire, yet fail to give a shout out to scalabrine and the white head band...shame on you
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