Category: NBA

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What the Finals Loss Means to the Legacy and Future of LeBron James

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Golden State Warriors in 5 games in the NBA Finals, proving me wrong about the buildup of the Golden State Warriors team. However, one thing that has not and will not change for me is my opinion towards the legacy of LeBron James. LeBron played his heart out, averaging a triple-double in the NBA Finals (33.6 points per game, 12 rebounds, 10 assists), becoming the first player to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals. LeBron has 3 wins and 5 losses in NBA Finals, but his legacy is still as steady as Michael Jordan’s. Jordan went 6-0 in the NBA Finals, but was 6-7 getting there. LeBron is 8-4. What’s better, getting to the Finals, or just getting to the playoffs? Yeah, getting to the Finals, even if you lose. LeBron is the one who has made himself and others so good that he is guaranteed to make it to the Finals, just ask any team in the Eastern Conference. This year, his Cavs were outplayed by a much more superior Warriors team in the Finals. Sure, LeBron had All-Stars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, but Golden State has 2 MVPs (Steph Curry and Kevin Durant), 3 of the greatest 3-point shooters ever (Steph, KD, and Klay Thompson), a Defensive Player of the Year candidate (Draymond Green), and a Finals MVP (Andre Iguodala), just to beat LeBron and Cleveland. To me, that just proves how much talent is needed to beat a perfectly assembled LeBron James team. Now, let us take a look at the legacy of James, and his future.

LeBron’s Legacy

LeBron James, as we mentioned, is 3-5 in Finals, but let us look at the wins and losses more closely. In 2007, LeBron James single-handedly took his Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. LeBron, who was 22 at the time, was on the rise of being the ‘best player on the planet’, was playing stellar, but the San Antonio Spurs were too much in the NBA Finals, as he got swept. Then again, when you are only 22, your 2nd best player is named Jamario Moon (who was pretty bad, actually), and you are playing 3 Future Hall-of-Famers, expect to be swept. In 2011, when he became a member of the Miami Heat, he disappeared, not playing like himself, not wanting the ball, losing in 6 games. In 2012 and 2013, he became the ‘best player on the planet’, winning back-to-back championships over the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. 2014, in the rematch against the Spurs, the Spurs got their revenge. 2015, in LeBron’s return to the Cavs, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love both got injured, and LeBron fought his way on his own to take the Warriors to 6 games, but needed help to win. 2016 and 2017 were split with Golden State, with a 7-game thriller (Warriors blew a 3-1 lead), and losing in 5 games this year. Overall, you cannot blame him for the losses to Golden State. This year, he played his heart out and got beat by a superior team, and in 2015, he did the same, but didn’t have his star counterparts. LeBron really is 3-3 (in terms of wins and losses responsible for in NBA Finals), but the fact that he has gotten there with more success than Jordan (not to mention that LeBron has always gotten past the first round, whereas Jordan has been swept in the first round), speaks volumes to his ability to lead a team to success.

LeBron’s Future

LeBron James won’t be getting much more talent for this Cavs team anytime soon without trading Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, or Tristan Thompson. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony are options, but just Kevin Love for them isn’t enough. I think he should play it out next year, get to the Finals, maybe acquire better role players, and then test free agency in 2018.

LeBron fulfilled his lifelong promise of bringing a championship to Cleveland in 2016, so he has every right to leave the Cavs (again). Reports from Bleacher Report and CBS Sports say that James has considered going to Los Angeles, as he has a house there, and is looking to pursue ventures outside of basketball, and Hollywood is the best place to do it. He has been linked to LA for quite a few years now, dating back to 2007. Kobe Bryant decided to ask for a trade from LA, letting his ego get in the way as he wanted to win desperately. The trade never happened, but it put into perspective for the rest of James’ career that LA would be a possible place to go. If he is to leave, he is to go to either the Lakers or the Clippers. Both teams have great opportunity to beat the Warriors with James. The Lakers can get Paul George or Jimmy Butler (they should be able to get one of the two this year), they can draft Lonzo Ball who has huge superstar potential, and they can trade D’Angelo Russell or Jordan Clarkson for another superstar (of George and Butler, whichever one they do not get). LeBron could even build his dream superteam of his best friends Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, and get them to play with him in LA. This would allow him to have a young team with veteran leadership around him, and allow him beat Golden State. Since LeBron can beat the Eastern Conference with his eyes closed, he can win many more championships.

With the Clippers, if they keep Chris Paul and Blake Griffin this year, they will have their Big 3 with them and DeAndre Jordan. Then they can lure James in, who has a great relationship with Paul, acquire another guy like Carmelo or Wade, and then get more role players, and LeBron can have a team that can beat Golden State, and win championships. Either way, he will have more success down the road going to LA than in Cleveland, so it makes sense that he leaves (sources say he wants to and will leave in 2018). Who knows, maybe LeBron will have more rings than Jordan after all, and become the GOAT.

Sources of Info:

 

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The THRILLogy Continues: Cavaliers-Warriors Part III

On June 4, 2015, the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, with the Warriors looking to put a storybook ending to their odds-defying season. On June 16, 2015, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers played Game 6 of the 2015 NBA Finals, with the Warriors winning the game and the NBA Finals that year. June 2, 2016, they met for the 2nd consecutive Finals. This one came down to 7 games, with Cleveland winning their first NBA Finals ever, and bringing the city of Cleveland their first championship in a professional sport in 52 years. On June 1, 2017, they will meet again for the 3rd straight year, the first time in NBA history that the same two teams have played each other three consecutive years. Here is some history of the last 2 NBA Finals, and my prediction for who wins it this year:

The History of the THRILLogy

2015: The Golden State Warriors had a league-best 67-15 record, while the Cleveland Cavaliers returned to the playoffs with a 53-29 record in LeBron James’s first year back with the team since leaving for the Miami Heat in 2010. The teams split their season series 1 game apiece, and had an easy path to the NBA Finals. The Warriors won the Finals in 6 games despite LeBron nearly averaging a triple-double in large part due to the fact that Cleveland’s second star, Kyrie Irving, injured his knee in overtime in Game 1, making the Warriors job on defense easy, having one less guy to worry about, since Kevin Love had gotten injured earlier in the playoffs (both would be out for the rest of the playoffs). This win showed the versatility of the Warriors, as league-MVP Stephen Curry had a rough series, but guys like Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Andre Iguodala stepped up (Iggy was the Finals MVP). This also showed that LeBron James, as inhuman as he played that series (averaging 35.8 points per game, 13.3 rebounds per game, and 8.8 assists per game), could not lead the team alone, and if the Cavs were healthy, they could win again if they made it back.

2016: Golden State played even better in the regular season, finishing with a 73-9 record, the best regular season record ever (most wins in a regular season). Stephen Curry averaged 30.1 points per game, 6.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on his way to winning back-to-back MVPs, and becoming the first player ever to win the league MVP unanimously. LeBron, Kyrie, and Kevin Love combined to score an average of 61 points per game to lead their team. Both teams strolled through their conferences, and met again in the Finals. As we know, Golden State blew a 3-1 lead, and the rest is history.

This Year

Cleveland and Golden State started off well, and the Warriors continued it, as they got Kevin Durant in free agency on July 4th. Cleveland ended the season after the All-Star Break with a losing record, and people began to doubt them. The Warriors went 12-0 on their way to the Finals, and Cleveland went 12-1. Now, they meet again and are much better teams. This is the toughest test of LeBron James’ career, but with him on the team, LeBron can easily make this a series. James will outplay Durant, Kyrie will outplay Curry, Tristan Thompson will outplay Zaza Pachulia, and Kevin Love will outplay Draymond Green. So it comes down to Klay Thompson vs. JR Smith, and the benches. The Cavaliers bench has a lot more versatility than the Warriors bench, by acquiring Kyle Korver and Deron Williams in February, and on the Warriors side Klay has been very erratic. Last year, the Cavaliers left guys like Harrison Barnes open on shots to be able to play other guys on defense. This year, that guy will be Klay, as he is only shooting 36%. In the end, LeBron outplaying Durant is the biggest part of the reason that I believe Cleveland will repeat. Cleveland in 7. LeBron is the MVP, possibly the GOAT, and KD goes from potential all-time great to a guy who is a superstar with no credentials who made a weak move to leave the OKC Thunder to go to Golden State, the team that prevented him from going to the NBA Finals last year.

 

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Western Conference Finals: Can Anyone Beat Golden State?

The Golden State Warriors have been nothing short of golden this year, but my hatred towards the team and towards all its players not named Steph Curry, JaVale McGee, or Kevin Durant, lives on. Golden State has gone 8-0 so far to start the playoffs, and play a blue-collared juggernaut team in the San Antonio Spurs, who are coming off back-to-back 6 game series. Here is what I believe will happen in order for the Spurs to be able to beat Golden State, and why it may or may not happen.

How San Antonio Can Beat Golden State

Start Jonathan Simmons to Limit Steph Curry

The Spurs started Jonathan Simmons in Game 6 of their last series against the Rockets to limit James Harden. Simmons did just that, and also added 18 points in 31 minutes of play. Simmons is a 6’6” rookie out of Houston who can score, defend, and handle the ball, and last year, he paid $150 to just to try out for the D-League. Now, he is starting in the NBA Playoffs, and against a team with so much offensive firepower like Golden State, that should only continue. Steph Curry, however, has been shooting just under 47% these playoffs, and has been a matchup nightmare these playoffs, as he is averaging 3 turnovers a game, compared to Harden averaging 5.4, so Simmons will have his hands full.

Note: James Harden went 1-5 and had 6 turnovers when guarded by Simmons in Games 5 and 6. 

Keep The Warriors Fans Out of the Game

Oracle Arena, the home of the Warriors, is one of the loudest stadiums in the entire NBA, and probably the hardest to play in. San Antonio, led by head coach Greg Popovich, figured out a way to move the ball against the Rockets in the last series to keep the crowd out of the game. The Warriors, however, have been playing great defense this season, limiting the ball movement of teams and forcing players into bad shots. The Spurs run a lot of pick-and-roll, off-the-ball movement to free guys up, but Golden State has been limiting that all season. San Antonio will have to get players open quickly, not use up too much shot clock, and get quick baskets.

Kawhi Leonard Has to be Fresh and Healthy

The biggest advantage the Warriors will have is that they can attack Kawhi Leonard all they want knowing he won’t be as healthy as he normally is, meaning Kevin Durant could get some very easy baskets off of him. The key will be to have Coach Popovich utilize the bench well enough to the point where Kawhi can get his rest, and the Warriors don’t explode and go on a game-clinching scoring outburst like they are capable of. Leonard has been everything the Spurs could’ve hoped for in these playoffs, averaging 27.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and 4.7 apg. The teamwork will be key if the Spurs want to have any chance of winning the series. The only problem for the Spurs is that Kawhi isn’t unstoppable like LeBron James, especially when he isn’t healthy.

The Verdict

Many people who know me know that since the season started, I said the Spurs would beat Golden State in the Western Conference Finals, but after weighing in the stats, the wins and losses, the things I said the Spurs will have to do in order to win, and everything in between, I had to ask myself some important questions. Will the Spurs get swept? No. Can they win the series? Yes, and the reasons above prove how and why they can win, but the only problem is that Golden State knows how to win, even when Steph is limited, when the fans are out of the fame, and the opposing teams’ best player is on fire. If the Spurs win, it has to go to 7 games, but this series will be over in 6, with Golden State winning in 6.

Stats from:

http://stats.nba.com/leaders

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/05/jonathan-simmons-spurs-nba-playoffs-starter-kawhi-leonard-150-pay-d-league-tryout-story-rockets-game-6

 

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Who Should Win NBA MVP 2016-17: BEASTBrook, or The Beard?

It has been clear since July 4th, 2016 that Russell Westbrook was going to do something no one else had ever done in the NBA before. That was the day that Kevin Durant, his best friend and teammate, betrayed him, the team, and the city, for the team that prevented them from going to the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors. This season, the team entered as a possible lottery-draft-pick team, but Westbrook’s record-breaking season has propelled his team into the playoffs, which includes becoming the Triple-Double King. James Harden, on the other hand, has been waiting since last April, as his team failed to make the playoffs as an underwhelming yet star-studded team last year. Harden took it upon himself to be a team-first player and drive his team to the playoffs. Along the way, he has had career high numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. So, who should win the MVP?

Who Will Win and Why?

Westbrook has just been incredible to say the least, and has turned a team that should be in the bottom five in the NBA into a playoff team. While his team may be worse than Harden’s, and the fact that they may not get through the first round, this is an individual award. The numbers do not lie with Westbrook. He has 42 triple-doubles, a record that has been broken after 55 years. He’s averaging 31.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 10.4 APG in just 34.4 minutes on average per game. He has career-high free throw percentages, attempts, and makes (84.5%, 10.5 attempts per game, 8.9 makes per game). He is the only player in NBA history to average 40-12-11 in a 3-game span. He is the only player in NBA history to record at least 100 points, 30 boards, and 30 assists in the first 3 games of the regular season. He is the only player in NBA history to have a triple-double and have a perfect shooting game (field goals and free throws). He is the only player in NBA history with five straight 30-point triple-doubles in a season. He has the record for most points with a triple double in a game with 57. Lastly, he is the second player ever to average a triple-double in a season since Oscar Robertson 55 years back.

Harden doesn’t have any number to compare. Harden is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists (29.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 11.2 APG). He has led the team to a top-10 offense in NBA history. He helps his team lead the game in time of possessions with his ability to draw the defense to himself. He assists on 27 points per game, and scores 29 points per game, as he and Isaiah Thomas are going to be the first players to do so. He also has led his team to an NBA record for 3-pointers attempted, and made. In terms of defense, Harden has been better, but he doesn’t really play much defense besides contesting shots, as he contests around 4 more shots than Westbrook. However, Harden has set an NBA record for most turnovers in a season (he broke his own record from last year), and even though his team is more effective, Harden’s Rockets are only 2.7 points better per 100 possessions with Harden on the court, whereas Westbrook’s Thunder are 13.1 points better per 100 possessions with Westbrook on the floor.

Now, after Westbrook broke the record for most triple-doubles in a season, Harden made an interesting comment about MVP. He said “I thought winning is what this is all about,” signifying and pleading his case for MVP. However, while his team is 8 wins better than Westbrook’s Thunder, his comment is incorrect. If it was really ‘all about winning’, then we should be talking about Kevin Durant and Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Kawhi Leonard of the Spurs, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, or Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics. However, the MVP is the Most Valuable Player award, not most Most Winning Player award. In the end, I believe that Russell Westbrook will win the NBA MVP over James Harden, as Harden really hasn’t done enough as an individual to be great and help his team out.

Harden and Westbrook are meeting in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but I do not believe that the result will determine the outcome of the MVP race at all. Westbrook will play his heart out in the playoffs and dazzle us just like in the regular season (and yes, his triple-doubles will continue). Harden needs to get a 100-point triple-double to win MVP in my opinion, because he is too far behind Westbrook to make his case. Even a 100-point game could be too little, too late, but the Harden vs. Westbrook matchup will be entertaining for sure.

Resources:

All stats and data from FiveThirtyEight, ESPN, Wikipedia, CBS Sports, Slam Online, and the Washington Post.

 

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2016 NBA Finals Game 6: All or Nothing? Or Everything?

The NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors looks like they have become interesting again, as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers with 41 points each in their win to force a Game 6 back in Cleveland. However, the scuffle between Warriors PF Draymond Green and Cleveland superstar LeBron James in Game 4 might’ve just ruined the series for Golden State, as the Cavs are clawing back.

Tonight: Game 6

Tonight, very simple. Draymond Green will lose the game single-handedly for the Warriors. He is the reason Cleveland has all the momentum on their side to force a Game 7 back in Oakland, and he will be afraid. Every time he has the ball, the fans will be booing him, and anytime he is the primary defender, people are probably going to be chanting ‘Kick LeBron,” just so he can get ejected and lose his mind. I think the tactic from Cavs fans could work, because LeBron and Kyrie are IN THE ZONE! If someone like Kevin Love, JR Smith, or even Tristan Thompson can get it going, it’ll be a relaxing flight back to Oakland for the Cavs.

Who Wins Game 7?

I think Cleveland wins Game 7, making a historic comeback down 3-1 in the series. I just do not see a way that Draymond can calm himself down and not put more pressure on Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Also, their Center Andrew Bogut is done for the series, so Green has to rebound the ball and be aggressive on the glass. I do not like the Warriors’ chances of winning this series.

The Offseason

LeBron fulfils his promise of crowning Cleveland ONCE, and goes back to Miami and fulfils his promise of winning even more, as he said on July 10th, 2010.

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4 Takeaways From NFL Preseason Week 1

The NFL preseason kicked off on Thursday (Week 1 ended Sunday), and there were 4 biggest takeaways that will be what we should watch from now until the season starts.

  1. Tim Tebow is going to be a member of the Philadelphia Eagles

So, as of before Sunday, the starter in Philly was Sam Bradford, and the 2nd-string QB was Matt Barkley, and Tim Tebow looked like he wouldn’t even make the team, but that changed in the middle of the 3rd quarter of the Eagles preseason game yesterday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts. Tebow looked like he was a Florida Gator again, cool as a cucumber, leading his team down the field, and scoring a huge rushing touchdown to cap it all off. Right now, I think Bradford is the starter, but Tebow is the #2 guy, and could also be a situational QB. 

  1. All the rookies proved themselves!

Every rookie that played this week proved that they were worthy of being part of an NFL team, especially the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons. Both teams had on rookies scoring touchdowns. It was phenomenal watching the new and young talents, and it will be very hard for teams to get rid of their newcomers (every team must have 53 players or less by the time the NFL season starts).

  1. RGIII says he is ‘the best quarterback in the league’

Does RGIII have some kind of concussion or something, and we don’t know about it yet? This comment is just crazy. He has yet to prove in the NFL that he can be a good quarterback, and at the same time not get hit or injured multiple times, and the Redskins have won many games without him being the starter. Come on, RGIII!!! Come on!!! 

  1. Jay Cutler is gonna be a decent quarterback for the Chicago Bears

Now, I didn’t say he would be good, but I said decent. Cutler played well, going 4-7 for 42 yards passing, and during practices and this game against the Miami Dolphins, he has thrown just one interception, which was today.

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Should LeBron Be The MVP Win or Lose? Who Wins The Finals?

I have no idea who came up with this, but somebody decided to show his love for LeBron and start a conversation saying that win or lose, he’s the MVP. Here is why or why not he should win, and who will actually win.

Why Should LeBron Win

He’s been playing probably the 2nd best NBA Finals of his career (2012 being his 1st), but either way, he’s been the one player who has played well every game (even Game 4, even though he only had 20 points). James is the greatest player on the planet, and if he wins Game 6 and Game 7, he can win it. Even if he loses Game 7, as long as Stephen Curry doesn’t have a monstrous Game 6 or Game 7, it’s his to lose.

Why He Shouldn’t Win

He shouldn’t win because it is better if the MVP is from the winning team. I mean, really, it’s never happened in the NBA, and Super Bowl V was the first and only time it happened in the NFL (Baltimore Colts beat Dallas Cowboys 16-13, but LB Chuck Howley of the Cowboys won the MVP). Stephen Curry will be the reason that they win these Finals, and his regular season MVP award should help him out a bit. Anybody taking Andre Iguodala? Look at what he has done against LeBron. Phenomenal stuff defensively, and has stepped up offensively as well since being inserted in Game 4 into the starting lineup.

Who Should Win?

Curry should still win. No matter how spectacular LeBron has been, and how spectacular he may be, the people chose Curry for the regular season MVP, and that will help his cause dearly. Also, Curry has helped the Warriors get to this 3-2 series lead, almost by himself, just as LeBron has done to get Cleveland to just be down 3-2.

Who Wins The Finals?

The Warriors will win in 7 games. LeBron won’t let his fans down in the last game of the year in Cleveland, so there is the win for the Cavs, but winning in Oakland won’t happen. MVP: Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

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The NBA Finals: Why Both Teams Can Win, And Who Will Actually Win?

When Kyrie Irving went down for Cleveland in Game 1, people thought that the league’s best team, the Golden State Warriors, led by MVP Stephen Curry, would sweep the Cavs. But in Game 2, LeBron James, the best basketball player on the planet, annihilated Golden State. Matthew Dellavedova led Cleveland in Game 3. Then, it happened. Steve Kerr, coach of the Warriors, lied to the media about the starting lineup, and put veteran small forward Andre Iguodala in for Andrew Bogut. Iggy, who had not started the entire year, and was guarding LeBron, led the team to a Game 4 win. Now, it’s a best of 3. Here is why both could win, and who will actually win.

How Cleveland Can Win

LeBron James, the greatest player on Earth, plays for Cleveland, not Miami (sadly). He single-handedly has taken 2 of the first 4 games. He has led the team, but Matthew Dellavedova (aka Delly) on defense, and J.R. Smith on offense has helped out majorly with helping out James. LeBron and Co. will lose Game 5 (Sunday, June 14, 2015 on ABC), but they will win Games 6 and 7 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015, and Friday, June 19, 2015, respectively, both on ABC). Also, coach David Blatt needs to play more players in this series (he’s only played 8). Play Shawn Marion and Kendrick Perkins, who’ve won NBA Finals (with the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, respectively). I mean, they made big-time trades to get these guys, so you’d might as well play them. If Blatt figures out a way to fit them into the offense along with LeBron, and also if LeBron can give out a ‘magic touch’ to his teammates, then maybe they can win this thing. It will be a difficult task, but they should be able to figure this who scenario out. They’ll win in 7.

How Golden State Can Win

Yo! Cleveland fans, remember 2007, when LeBron was solo-mio? Well Cleveland, those memories will haunt you guys forever. Sure, Kobe was the best player on Earth then, but still, he can’t lead them to a series win, especially against Golden State. Steph Curry is still the MVP, and Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, HB (Harrison Barnes), and Andre Iguodala have played magnificently, especially in the new lineup. LeBron has lost only two Game 6’s in his entire career, and none at ‘The Q’ (Quicken Loans Arena, in Cleveland), so winning Game 6 will be almost impossible for Golden State, since it is in ‘The Q’, but Games 5 and 7 in Oakland (Oracle Arena, in Oakland), will be guaranteed for Golden State to win in 7.

Now Seriously, Who Will ACTUALLY Win?

Golden State will win this in 7 games. I feel that the new lineup by Steve Kerr, and the tired and old legs of Cleveland won’t be able to stop this lineup of Golden State’s. Sure, they can play those vets, but Golden State has their own vets off the bench, such as Shawn Livingston and Leandro Barbosa will prove to be the X-factors, and Curry will show LeBron why he wasn’t the MVP (LeBron said after Game 3 that it is his “extra motivation” to win the NBA Finals). MVP: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

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NBA Power Rankings: 2014-15 Season

The 2014-15 season could shape up a whole lot differently due to LeBron in Cleveland, Lance Stephenson in Charlotte, and the NBA Champion Spurs being dominant again. Here are the Power Rankings for the 2014-15 season.

1.  Chicago Bulls

A healthy Derrick Rose, newly signed Pau Gasol, and rookie Doug McDermott might have this team return to its glory days. Rose, after having played just 4 games in the last 2 seasons, should be better than ever. A championship is no guarantee, but they will probably end up at the top of the East.

2.   Oklahoma City Thunder

Reigning MVP Kevin Durant will be accompanied by a healthy Russell Westbrook, which means that they will have an easy road across the West. This might just be the season where OKC conquers the NBA

3.   Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James shocked not just Miami and Cleveland, but the whole world by coming home to Cleveland. His supporting cast is young, which guarantees that players around him will lay long-term, but a championship is a long ways to go.

4.   Miami Heat

Seriously? Miami? Number 4? Yes! They may have lost LeBron James, but D-Wade, Chris Bosh, and most of the team has re-signed. New additions Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger are huge additions who certainly fits well in an offense known for scoring big. Miami could make a surprise run through the playoffs, but representing the East in The Finals might be a year or 2 away.

5.   Dallas Mavericks

If only Rick Carlisle had a plan to beat the Spurs, then the Spurs wouldn’t have been the champions. Dirk has re-signed, Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler are big pickups, which makes them the biggest threat to all Western Conference teams. They will make a big splash come playoffs time.

6.   San Antonio Spurs

The defending champs are looking to defend their title, but all I wanna say is this: “OKC ARE THE KINGS OF THE WEST!” Sorry Spurs fans…

7.   Los Angeles Clippers

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is the new owner of the Clippers, but the roster is still the same. Doc Rivers will carry his team to the 4th seed in the West, and possibly to the Western Conference Finals.

8.   Golden State Warriors

Golden State has a nearly identical roster as last year, but Steve Kerr is the new addition. Kerr will take them to the playoffs, but getting past Round 1 is a 0% chance.

9.   New York Knicks

Phil Jackson has done great. He has got ‘Melo back, hired Derek Fisher, and Jackson will help out Fisher in implementing the Triangle Offense to the New York system. Amar’e Stoudemire will become an elite scorer again, and Panda Friend (formerly Metta World Peace/Ron Artest) will help out with the Triangle Offense. The Atlantic Division will belong to them once again.

10.   Washington Wizards

Paul Pierce came to Washington for some weird reason no one knows. If that reason is winning, DC isn’t exactly for you. Sure, they didn’t take it easy on teams like Chicago and Indiana, but they aren’t the same team.

11.   Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard and Terry Stotts have this team covered. They are ready to put on a show in the NBA.

12.   Indiana Pacers

Frank Vogel had a rough year last year, and with the loss of Lance Stephenson, the road only gets rougher.

13.   Toronto Raptors

Kyle Lowry re-signed immediately on Day 1 of Free Agency, and ever since last year, Toronto has become one of the more dangerous teams out there.

14.   Houston Rockets

James Harden. Dwight Howard. No ‘Melo. No LeBron. It has been a big blow for Houston this year. This coming season might not be so different.

15.   Brooklyn Nets

Brook Lopez is now healthy. Deron Williams is now healthy. Joe Johnson is now healthy. KG is now healthy. Jarrett Jack and new coach Lionel Hollins have come. Paul Pierce and new Bucks coach Jason Kidd have gone. This will be an odd season for Brooklyn.

16.   Charlotte Hornets

Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker are the stars, but the main headline despite a new team name and new look will be the fact that Lance Stephenson has come to Charlotte. This will improve their defense, but I doubt it’ll help them become contenders.

17.   Phoenix Suns

Phoenix was the most exciting team to watch last season, and that will not change. They will get to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

18.   Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis has had ups and downs lately, and now, it’ll go downward.

19.   Atlanta Hawks

Last year, the Hawks soared to the playoffs. This year, the Hawks won’t be allowed to soar.

20.   Boston Celtics

The Celtics will have Rondo healthy, and rookies Marcus Smart and James Young, who are players with tons of potential. Though the Celtics will probably be in the lotto again, the good news for Celtics fans is that they will be contending and winning titles in a few seasons (3+ seasons).

21.   New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis put on a show last year, as he was a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Jrue Holiday should also help with making this team fun to watch, if not a winning team.

22.   Orlando Magic

Elfrid Payton from Louisiana-Lafayette and Aaron Gordon from Arizona were the 2 biggest surprise picks of the draft, and during this Summer League, they have shown potential. Orlando should end with a better record than last year.

23.   Denver Nuggets

Denver missed the playoffs last year, and this year will continue this playoff drought.

24.   Sacramento Kings

Sacramento will have Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins healthy, and the biggest NBA player (Sim Bhullar from India, 360 lbs), but they aren’t good enough to get this team to the playoffs.

25.   Philadelphia 76ers

Nerlens Noel, the Number 6 pick in last year’s draft, will make his debut this coming season.

26.   Los Angeles Lakers

Julius Randle was a good pick, Kobe will not retire yet, but they will be near the bottom of the West again.

27.   Milwaukee Bucks

Jabari Parker, the Number 2 pick in this year’s draft, will be a definite Rookie of the Year candidate.

28.   Detroit Pistons

Josh Smith is on the verge of being traded, meaning Brandon Jennings, Rodney Stuckey, and Greg Monroe have to lead this team. This coming year will not be much different than last year.

29.   Utah Jazz

Derrick Favors was decent last year, Gordon Hayward’s future is iffy, and Dante Exum isn’t a good enough rookie to be able to lead a team.

30.   Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love is a Cav, and the rest of the team is pretty discombobulated. They will have the highest chance of winning the lottery this year.

Posted on in NBA

The NBA Playoffs: First Round Predictions

The Mavericks and Grizzlies are switching sides in the standings, and so are the Nets and Wizards, yet still, this will be an exciting first round, with more upsets than ever. Here are the predictions for who moves on.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks

The Pacers have struggled against the Hawks mightily this season, and they will continue. The Hawks will win in 7 games.

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats

The Heat have had no problem against Charlotte. The Miami Heat will continue their quest for a 3-peat with a sweep.

(3) Toronto Raptors vs. (6) Brooklyn Nets

With late Pacers struggles, the Heat and the Nets are the Eastern Conference Finals matchup. The Raptors have arrived in the playoffs for the first time since Chris Bosh led them in the 2007-2008 season. Raptors come up with the upset in 7 games.

(4) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Washington Wizards

Chicago has done lots of damage since the All-Star break to get to the playoffs, and have been the 4th seed for months. The Wiz Kids have been in the playoffs since mid-March, but it will end, as the Bulls win in 5 games.

Western Conference Playoff Picture

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Dallas Mavericks

Dallas did just enough to get the 8th seed, and they face the defending Western Conference Champions. The Spurs take care of business in 5 games.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies won the series in 5 games against OKC a year ago, and the Thunder struggle mightily in the playoffs. The Griz win in 6 games.

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

The Clips and the Warriors are Pacific division rivals, and they will battle in the trenches for this one. The Clips, winning in 6 games, due to no Andrew Bogut for the Warriors.

(4) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers

The Rockets and Blazers have had their ups and downs, so this will be a tough series to call, but everyone knows that Dwight Howard has what it takes to lead his team past the first round. Rockets in 5 games.