NBA Finals are Here!!!

Game One Tipping off on Tuesday night

The 2010-2011 NBA season has reached the Finals Series and Game 1 kicks off in Miami on Tuesday night ( Wednesday morning Aussie time). 

Well, waaayyyy back in October, I predicted a Lakers/Heat final with the Heat winning it: http://cdstarrbblog.blogspot.com/2010_10_24_archive.html

At the start of the playoffs, I correctly predicted a Bulls/Heat Eastern Conference final with the Heat meeting San Antonio in the Finals that pick went slightly awry!! http://cdstarrbblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/nba-playoff-preview.html

Now we have reached the finals series. The Dallas crew are a seasoned outfit and will look to continue their regular season success against Miami. A missing link from that success is Caron Butler who proved to be Kryptonite on two legs for LeBron James in their two meetings. Although Shawn Marion has shown his value in the playoffs, the Mavs can not afford any lapses or let downs in this series. 

On the other side of the coin, the Heat will have Dirk to deal with!! Dirk Nowitzki has stamped his authority on each series for Dallas so far. Miami will look to Chris Bosh, LeBron James and a few others in their effort to slow the German Gunner down. Dallas will have to be at their best to deal with Dwayne Wade, LeBron and the rejuvenated Bosh.

Prediction wise: 

I see Dallas having their moments but in the end, look for Miami to take it in six.

NBA Preview

Finally Back from Injured Reserve!!!!

Yes, after quite a long absence, I am back to my basketball blog. The NBA season starts tomorrow (Tuesday USA) so I will jump right in. My last post ages ago, was on the verge of the NBA Finals. A lot has happened since then including Mr. James going to South Beach and The Big Shamrock appearing in Boston.

A lot of ink/cyberspace has been used in analysing LeBron’s move to Miami. Bottom line, the young man took the option that he felt best suited to his needs. Still with the recent injuries on the Heat Roster, no title is guaranteed. Some of the comments about James’ loyalty were interesting. I remember a few years ago a certain young draftee did not want to play in New Jersey if drafted there and wanted to play for the LA Lakers. At least LeBron went to the team that drafted him and gave it a shot there.

Ok, now to look at this upcoming season:

Eastern Conference


Atlantic Division
Boston is still the class act here and will win the division as they tune up for the playoffs. New York could be an interesting team and may make the playoffs, same for New Jersey. Philadelphia will be looking to reverse the bad fortune of last year with some new faces and new coach. Toronto will need work although rookie Ed Davis could impress.
Division Winner: Boston Celtics

Central Division
Chicago has reloaded and Milwaukee is looking to consolidate last year’s playoff effort. Cleveland will be under the radar and have time to improve/rebuild. Indiana will be hoping point guard Darren Collison will solidify their backcourt. All in all, the division will not be the power it once was.
Division Winner: Milwaukee Bucks


Southeast Division
Definitely the power group of the Eastern Conference with Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta at the top and Charlotte looking to return to the playoffs. Add in Rookie of the Year candidate John Wall in Washington and this group looks exciting.
Miami will have to stay healthy and get solid if not spectacular from the frontline to live up to expectations. Dwight Howard and Orlando should be stronger again. Atlanta will be solid and dangerous.
Division Winner: Miami Heat

Playoff Teams:
Boston, Chicago, Miami, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte and New York
Conference Champions:
Miami Heat

Western Conference


Southwest Division
San Antonio and Dallas will be looking for one last big run as they age. Houston hopes to stay healthy and gel as a unit and Memphis looks to make the playoffs after a near miss last season. The Hornets are hoping last seasons debacle is way behind them.
Division Winner: San Antonio Spurs

Northwest Division
Oklahoma City is suddenly the class of the division this season. Portland will be solid. Denver will be an interesting prospect and Utah is always in the playoffs.
Division Winner: Portland Trailblazers

Pacific Division
The Lakers will use the division as a playoff tune up. Phoenix is hopeful as usual and will entertain. Sacramento could be the best of the rest while Golden State is always a chance of scoring 120+ in a game. David Lee will help the Warriors inside. The Clippers are the Clippers, you never know.
Division Winner: LA Lakers


Playoff Teams:
San Antonio, Portland, LA Lakers, Dallas, Utah, Oklahoma City, Denver and Phoenix
Conference Champions:
LA Lakers


NBA Champions:
Miami Heat, though there are several obstacles along the way, if this team stays reasonably healthy, they can actually win it all but the burden lies more with Dwayne Wade than Bosh or James.

Locally here in Australia, the National Basketball League season is underway. Catch NBL and NBA action on OneHD here.

Did Dwight Howard really have a terrible Finals series??

from BasketBloggin 16 June 2009

After taking time to digest my humble pie and assess what went wrong with the Magic, I went no further than young Dwight Howard initially. Some may say that his game needs more work? That he misses too many free throws? That he is not a leader?

All of the above are relevant questions, but now ask yourself, how many other 23yr olds have taken teams to this position? True Kobe Bryant went but there was the "Big Aristotle" to show him the way along with the "Zen Master" on the sidelines.

Some of the more glaring press slants are Dwight misses two free throws down the stretch in Game 4 and suddenly he is an offensive liability, Kobe misses four free throws down the stretch in Game 3 and he is considered "just tired".

In the Eastern Finals Game 6, LeBron James had a shocker, no one writes about the fact that he had a bad game, just that he needs more help. Howard still gets criticised even though he actually averaged 15.4 points and 15.2 rebounds in the finals. True he shot only 60.3% from the line but other great big men through NBA history--Bill russell and Wilt Chamberlin--have shot worse while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was probably the best foul shooting big man in the finals over the years.

Remember most big men Howard's age are only one year into their NBA careers or 2-3yrs at most if they spent at least one year at college whereas Howard's has been on the job training. He will be back again and the league will have to deal with a more determined, polished young buck the next time around.