Cleanin' with the Brooms!

The Boston Celtics swept the Knicks yesterday. I was kind of disappointed to see the Knicks, who picked up Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony in the past year get swept by a team who has not been doing well lately. You could say that the Knicks had high expectations, but most experts say that if they could just bring the Celtics to 6 games, it would be successful. The Knicks couldn't even win a game! The Celtics are a veteran team who know how to play, but the Knicks are the most disappointing team in the NBA.

The Heat nearly swept the 76ers. Lou Williams made two threes to bring the 76ers to a two point lead. Lebron drove the lane and missed a lay-up and the game was over. Is this the first "trip" in the Heat's journey? No. No team wants to be swept, so the 76ers fought as hard as they could.

 

Heat and the Bulls Keep Rolling

The Heat and the Bulls both extend there series to 3-0. The Heat haven't had much trouble with the 76ers, but the Bulls on the other hand have been fighting to win each game. The team who has a losing record has given the best team in the NBA a run for their money.

Ever since Indiana has gotten their new coach, the Pacers have had a winning record. Danny Granger has stepped up since then (he had a weak beginning of the season) and Darren Collison has become a leader. Tyler Hansbrough has developed a sweet mid-ranged jumpshot this series. Tyler was killing the Bulls, but the Bulls ended Game 1 on a 15-1 run to win.

Heat look solid and maybe can get to the Easetern Conference Finals. The Cetlics are looking good, but the Bulls look better.

First Games Over

The first games of the first round ended yesterday. Here are the scores:

1. Chicago Bulls 104 8. Indiana Pacers 99
2. Miami Heat 97 7. Philidelphia 76ers 89
3. Boston Celtics 87 6. New York Knicks 85
5. Atlanta Hawks 103 4. Orlando Magic 93

An upset did happen this weekend. Atlanta Hawks beat the Magic. I was suprised to see this knowing that Dwight Howard scored over 40 points. It shows us that Orlando depends on Dwight so much. He scores, rebounds, and blocks all of their shots.

The most interesting game that happened this weekend was definately Boston vs New York. New York at one point had a double digit lead and lost it in the end. Ray Allen made a 3 pointer to take the lead with 11 seconds left. Also in the final minute, Chauncey Billups was injured. He is doubtful for game two. I think he won't play for the next two games, but he will be back for Game 4.

Is Chicago in trouble? Indiana had a lead on the Bulls for a long time in Game 1 of the playoffs. Larry Bird sat quietly and confident in the croud (because he is the Pacers part-owner). But, when you have the MVP on your team anything can happen. Derrick Rose scored 39 and beat the Pacers. Can the Bulls do this again? They won't need to. Being the first playoff game of the year, they were not as ready as other teams, who saw near upsets happen.

Miami's D-Wade has been suffering migraines after his hard hit on the floor vs the 76ers. In practice today, he has been named probable for Game 2 and has been wearing protective goggles in practice. He has been treating this issue by staying home as much as possible and resting.

PLAYOFFS? I DON'T WANNA TAKE ABOUT PLAYOFFS!

Playoffs starts Saturday! The match ups are set in stone!

1. Chicago Culls vs. 8 Indiana Pacers

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Philadelphia 76ers

3. Boston Celtics vs. 6 New York Knicks

4. Orlando Magic vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks


Any possible upsets happening? I feel confident no upsets will happen in the Eastern Conference in the first round.


The team to watch though is Atlanta. I think they have a possibility to take Orlando to 7 games, but Orlando will win. Atlanta have Joe Johnson and Joe Smith, who haven't been recognized that much this season. Both of them are great players and should beat Orlando's SG's and PF's.

Heat vs Celtics

The Celtics faced the Heat Sunday and it wasn't even close. I turned on this game, and the Heat were killing, so I didn't even bother watching it. The final score was 100-77. I guess that the Celtics are aging. They aren't as good as they used to be. The Celtics used to be the "dream team" in 2008, but now they are just a bunch of old veterans who aren't fast enough to keep up with the Derrick Rose's and Dwayne Wade's. I'm not saying I hate the Celtics, they are one of my most favorite teams, but they have really slown down from last year's NBA Finals. If the Celtics don't make a playoff run, I won't be surprised if Ray Allen retires.

Im proud of the Heat for this game. They managed to score 100 points and 54 was only by the Big 3! That's a big step from the Big 3's points being 75% of their offense.

Bulls vs. Celtics

The Bulls continue "stretching" the gap of the #1 seed in the East. The Bulls played the Celtics Thursday. When you first here this matchup, you would think it would be a heated matchup, like it was back in 2008 in their 7 game playoff series. It was a very one sided game with the Bulls leading the way, 97-81.

Derrick Rose shows again why he should be MVP. He put up 30 points on the Celtics. Luol Deng had 23 also. The Bulls keep looking better and better!

Miami is 4 games back from Chicago. Since the season is almost over, this isn't going to change. The Bulls are the most solid team out there in the NBA. They are playing like they are going to win it all.

Chicago's chances in the postseason

The Chicago Bulls, the #1 seed in the East, and lead by PG Derrick Rose have made a run and soared past the Celtics for the #1 seed. But will they have success in the playoffs? Yes they will. From the beginning of the season, I have had Chicago winning the NBA Finals. I am keeping this prediction.
With the useless addition of Carlos Boozer, the Bulls had high expectations at the beginning of the year. They though Carlos Boozer would help a lot, but he has been injured for most of the season. If Carlos could come back in the playoffs, the Bulls would be unstoppable.
Is the Derrick Rose still the best candidate for the MVP. I personally think Dwight Howard, but Derrick Rose will still win.

Spotlight to the Weaklings!

Today in this blog I will talk about the people with bad records in the Eastern Conference! I usually talk about the good Eastern Conference teams, but now I will give the spotlight to the Washington Wizards and the Cleveland Cavaliers! These two teams are probably the worst teams in the NBA!

First of all, I will talk about the Wizards. The Wizards sit at 20-56. Nick Young is there new emerging star. The Wizards are on a winning streak of 2.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 15-61. After losing Lebron James, they have become the worst team in the NBA. But, I do see some hope in them. After they traded Mo Williams away for Baron Davis, they have won more games. Baron Davis may have put some spark into them.

Not too long ago, the Wizards and the Cavs played. The Wizards won 115-107.

Orlando vs. Knicks

Orlando and New York were in a great game last night. Orlando was down by three, and Jason Richardson makes a 3 pointer with 5 seconds left! They go to overtime, and the Knicks win, 113-106. Carmelo had 39 points and Dwight Howard has 29 points.
Lately, I have been criticizing the Knicks for losing so many games since they have gotten Carmelo. But, could this win mean they might go on a run? No. One win does not mean they can make a run. Orlando is a great team, but can easily choke when Dwight Howard is doing all the work.
The thing I am impressed with though is Carmelo's 39 points. He has been weak lately, and I love seeing him do well. He's been good ever since he set foot on Syracuse's court.

MVP Race

There have been conversations on who should win the NBA's MVP? Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, or maybe even Kevin Durant.
The Eastern Conference's candidates have been the strongest so far. The favorite is probably Derrick Rose. His passing skills and speed has been dominant this season. When I have watched him, he can blow by any defender he wants. He averages 25 ppg and 8 apg.
Dwight Howard is the other favorite. He is the best big man in the game and has HUGE shoulders. He has 23 ppg and 14 rpg. If you see a rebound go up, and Dwight Howard is beside you, he will probably get it everytime.
I think that Derrick Rose will win the MVP, but I am hoping for Dwight Howard. Dwight is one of my favorite players and I love his playing style. He plays the game to win and have fun, and I love that.

Knicks vs. Bucks 31-9 in 1 quarter!

  31-9 in one quarter? Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings outplay Amar'e Stouedmire and Carmelo Anthony? You don't see this everyday. I will now withdraw my idea of the Knicks ever winning an NBA title. This trade for Carmelo lost you two solid players of Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari. The Knicks are regretting this trade. I know you got a greast, superstar player, but two solid, good players are better than one superstar
  Will you see this kind of performance again out of the Knicks? Yes. If Amar'e and Carmelo play poorly, that's what you are going to see. The Knicks will lose in the first round of the playoffs, no doubt about it. They will probably be going against the Heat. This match up should be the most watched game that isn't the finals because their is so many superstars.

Current Standings

1. Boston Celtics
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Miami Heat
4. Orlando Magic
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. Philidelphia 76ers
7. New York Knicks
8. Indiana Pacers

Why is New York the #7 seed and have been losing a lot of games to bad teams lately? Because their team is a three player team. Billups, Anthony, and Stoudemire can't carry a team. They are great players, but it is impossible to have three players carry a team. You might say that Miami is getting carried by three players, but they aren't meating their expectations. You could say that the 2008 Boston Celtics were carried by three players, but they had a solid bench. Also, they had Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkons.
Will these rankings change any? I say that the Knicks may go on a late season run and hop Atlanta and Philidelphia, but this is the only changes. When a team has that many star players, usually they go on a winning streak like the Heat did.

Heat end their losing streak

The Heat played the Lakers on the Thursday night. Coming into this game, the Heat were on a losing streak of 5. The Heat's big 3 combined for 63 points, which was about 2/3 of their points. The Heat won 94-88.

This was the Heat's first "big win". The Heat do not have a reputation of being a team that wins big time games. Does this mean they will stay clutch until the playoffs? If they keep this winning  streak going they should have a nice seed and momentum entering the playoffs.

Heat Crying?

Is it okay to cry in the NBA? You can be emotional with the game, but crying is very childish and something you would do when you were five.
Eric Spoelstra told the media a while ago that after the Heat's emotional loss to the Chicago Bulls, that the Heat's players were crying in the locker room. After this, many people made fun of and criticized the Heat for "babies". Later Spoelstra came out again and say their was only watery eyes and no weeping.

Who should take the Heat's last shot? I think D-Wade. Lebron has missed many clutch shots lately and has not showed me his usual clutch style of playing. Give D-Wade the ball at the end of the game and see what happens
Lately people have been asking if Spoelstra should be fired? Is it his fault for the Heat's five game losing streak? I do not think it is his fault. The Heat is a very "narrow" team and has no depth. The Heat's bench, in my opinion, is the worst bench in the NBA. The Heat's Big 3 has NO support from their other players. I do not see the Heat going very far in the play-offs.

Is Chauncey Billups For Real?

Chauncey Billups was not expected to be doing as well as we thought he would. In his last 4 games, he has averaged about 23 points. But will he keep this up? I would have to say no. I love the way Chauncey plays, but his playing style isn't meant to be a constant scorer. One night he won't make his shots or won't get to the foul line a lot, and that will be a bad game for him.
Is Chauncey Billups better than Raymond Felton? I would have to give the edge to Raymond. Raymond has a more of a aggressive playing style, so he has more of a chance to score. Chauncey relies on jump shots and free throws way too much.

Knicks vs. Magic

The Knicks played the Magic on March 1st. The Knicks had the leadat first, but Jameer Nelson brought back the Magic with his 26 points. Dwight Howard, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Chauncey Billups all had 30 points. The final score was 116-110 Magic.

Are the Knicks for real though. Do they have it in them to make a playoff run? I don't think so. They have solid players, but I dont belive they are ready. They still need more time to bond with their new teammates and recover from their lost teammates. Maybe next year they can be NBA Finals contenders, but not this year.

Here is a recap of the game.