Catch up time!!!

Well about six weeks and a sports hernia later…I’m finally back with a bit of a catch up on all things hoops…firstly my NBA Finals prediction of Miami taking the title in six games disappeared quicker than LeBron James at crunch time!! Congrats to the crew from Big D and their long suffering fans. Job well done guys.

We’ve also had the 2011 NBA Draft. The verdict will be out as to the strength of the draft overall. Nine international players were selected in the first round and some will not appear in the NBA until a few years down the track. Among the notables internationally, Enes Kanter (Utah Jazz), Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors) and Jan Vesely (Washington Wizards) seem to be the most anticipated. Bismark Biyombo (Sacramento Kings, traded to Charlotte Bobcats) may be the most intriguing player drafted with his huge wing span and athleticism.

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked Kyrie Irving at number one and Tristan Thompson at number four in hopes of improving their roster after last season’s misery. There will be the question of whether Irving will be an understudy to Baron Davis or if Davis will eventually be traded? Other notables drafted in the first round included: Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves), Keemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), Jimmer Fredette (Milwaukee Bucks, traded to the Sacramento Kings), Nolan Smith (Portland Trailblazers) and defensive ace Chris Singleton (Washington Wizards).

Some top college talent taken in round two included: Kyle Singler (Detroit Pistons), Shelvin Mack (Washington Wizards), Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets), Jon Leuer (Milwaukee Bucks), Josh Selby (Memphis Grizzlies) and E’Twaun Moore (Boston Celtics).

Hopefully the Collective Bargaining Agreement will not affect the 2011-2012 season and the dispute will be settled before the preseason starts.

Ok, I’ll be back over the next few weeks with a few titbits and a look at the international scene, the WNBA and all of the associations around Australia.

NBA Weekly Update

It’s All Ball Y’all!!!

The NBA season is well and truly underway with the last week bringing some much awaited excitement from Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks. On Saturday “Mr. Jennings”, touched up the Golden State Warriors with a 55 point outing in three quarters no less as he went scoreless in the first term. Also over the last week in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns continued their resurgence with three wins sandwiched around a loss to the defending champion LA Lakers. But in picking a team of the week, I’ll have to go with the Cleveland Cavaliers who are in the midst of a four game winning streak after an indifferent start. Shaq is currently day to day with a shoulder problem but the team as a whole is coming together for a title push this season.

Other surprises thus far in the league are the San Antonio Spurs who are an even .500 while trying to sort through various injuries and adjust to new personnel. The whole Central Division is playing at .500 or better. Miami looks stronger than expected, Denver looks solid and Sacramento has surprised a few people.

My first NBA Top 10: Record Previous Rank

1. Cleveland 7-3 --

2. Boston 8-3 --

3. Denver 7-3 --

4. Orlando 8-3 --

5. Phoenix 9-2 --

6. Atlanta 9-2 --

7. LA Lakers 7-3 --

8. Dallas 8-3 --

9. Portland 8-4 --

10. Miami 7-2 --

Bubbling: Houston, Milwaukee

Basketball junkies, your fix is on the way!!

Well it is here, the 2009-2010 NBA season kicks off Tuesday night in the US. There are lots of new faces in new places this season along with some familiar ones returning from injuries. For a start I will just make my fearless forecasts.

In the East I see the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavs as the teams to beat while out West, look for a Spurs resurgence in San Antonio along with the always tough Lakers and Dallas as the best picks.

Other surprises could come from the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trailblazers, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets. In the end I’m going for a Spurs vs. Magic finals series.

The Diesel pulls into Cleveland, hooks up Championship train!!

from BasketBloggin 26 June 2009

Shaquille O'Neal has left the building in Phoenix and headed for Cleveland in hopes of winning another title before hanging up the big boots. In a Draft Eve trade O'Neal was sent to the Cavs in exchange for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and a 2010 second round draft pick. The combonation of the big Diesel with King James has Cav fans rejoicing in the streets.

In another big trade, Vince Carter has gone home to Florida after a trade by the New Jersey Nets sent him to the Magic along with Ryan anderson for Rafer Alston, who will return to the NYC/Mix Tape area where he is a cult figure, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie. A healthy Carter could be the slasher the Magic are looking for in their quest for finals glory next season.

I will have a complete wrap up of todays draft and other trades in tomorrows blog...'til then, happy speculating.