I hear ya

Sure then, since Trav wants to use this as debate, I'm all for it. I see what you are saying, Like I posted over on your blog, I am excited about this year's team and ready to get the domination back on track like those great 92 and 96 teams. And you know what, you are right, as it stands the 96 team is better than the team we have just assembled.

As of now.

Would you say that a team consisting of Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq is better than Chauncey Billups, A young Tayshaun Prince (Your Christian Laettner), and Rasheed Wallace? You know where this is going.

When you look at it on paper, of course those 04 Lakers were more talented then the Pistons, but around the time when the Pistons got up 40 in that game 5 to win the series, it dawned on me. Team basketball is how championships are won. Your comparison matches individuals, not the collective team.

Now Trav, of course we're talking Olympic basketball here, and the 96 team was incredible. An assembly of basketball gods. But unless that team and this year's team somehow meet in the afterlife (And we'd have courtside tickets my man), we'll never know which team is "better". Like I said, the competition is improved, and only time will tell how great the 08 squad really is.

And one more thing, you wrote, and I quote, "John Stockton is the greatest point guard of all-time..." Dude, Trav, whatever happened to those week-long Magic/Stockton arguments? Have you conceded?

Team USA

The Olympics start on August 8th and I am super excited. It is by far my most favorite sporting event that the world has to offer, and it is because the whole world is offering it. I mean where or when else can we have members from all cultures, countries, and races come together peacefully? It is a nice relief from wars and differences that separate and divide the Earth every day. Sure there will be many political rallies and opportunities for debate and divide, but it is in the spirit of friendly competition that the games are set.

With that said, I hope Team USA puts the "friendly" competition aside and puts a good ole' fashioned American Beatdown at the Olympics. I have a lot of pride for my sports teams, and more importantly for my country. It doesn't matter if I am watching ice dancing or boxing, I always cheer for our team. We as Americans are a prideful people, we believe we are better than everyone, and that is why a lot of countries despise us. I think our USA pride gets us a bad rep. But let's face it, there are certain things we are just dang good at and no other country comes close. I'm not saying we are "better" than any other country when it comes to something such as culture or tradition because individuality is what makes this world so great. But when it comes to one thing, no one should be able to touch us. You know what I'm talking about.

Basketball.

Bronze? Are you kidding me? How do we get anything but the gold in basketball? 2004 was an embarrasment. We lost more games (3) in that one Olympics than all previous Olympics combined, and that dates back to 1936. I will not accept that Argentina won the gold, or Italy won the silver. We lost those medals. Arguments have been made like, "Well those countries practice together year round and the US only gets a month." I don't care. On any give night, Team USA could be assembled, and should go out and beat any team the world can put together. They shouldn't even have to practice. The fact is that the team we had in 2004 just didn't care. That needs to change.

Upon receiving news that knee surgery was imminent, Yao Ming had to choose between missing the Olympics or the NBA Playoffs. Not even thinking twice, Yao stated that playing for his country was much more important than playing in the NBA.

How many Americans would do that? What happened to the pride of being able to stand together and listen to the Star Spangled Banner with gold medals around their necks? Today's players are more concerned with money and status. Or concerned about getting an injury that could jeopardize future money and status. Just go play the game, and be proud.

With all this said, the team we have put together this year is probably the best since the 92 dream team, which was the greatest team ever assembled, with one exception (Sorry Christian Laettner...but you know). Just for the fun of it, did you know that the 92 Dream Team won every game by an average margin of 43.8. Coach Chuck Daly never even used a timeout. There is no reason why we should lose a game this summer, no reason why we shouldn't win by an average of at least 3o.

Let's take a look at the team.

With a team this star-studded, the playing time between starters and non-starters will be pretty equal so it shouldn't make much difference. This is how I see the depth chart:

Starters:
G: Chris Paul
G: Kobe Bryant
F: Lebron James
F: Carmelo Anthony
C: Dwight Howard

Bench:
Dwyane Wade
Chris Bosh
Deron Williams
Tayshaun Prince
Michael Redd
Jason Kidd
Carlos Boozer

2nd Round Predictions

Alright so the first round is pretty much over as of now, the only game left being a game 7 between Atlanta and Boston...yep, game 7. During the regular season, Atlanta went 37-45, Boston went 66-16. 7 Games. Amazing. The home team has won every game in that series and unless some sort of divine intervention happens, Boston will finally get their act together, and finally dispose of the Hawks Sunday afternoon. But, tomorrow kicks off the start of the second round for 4 teams, so I have to get these predictions rolling. I'm just going to presume Boston will win Sunday and roll with that...if Atlanta wins, well then I will have to edit this later.

Lets take a look at how I did in the first round...

So when the Celtics win Sunday, I will be 8-for-8 on my first round predictions. All the top seeds advancing. However, I only got two series right on with my series-length predictions, both the Cavs and Jazz winning in six. Both my sweep predictions ended up being the only series to be tied 2-2, but lets be honest, who thought the Sixers would win two and that the Hawks would even win a game? I was shocked at how easy the Hornets beat up the Mavs...and so was Mark Cuban. Goodbye Avery Johnson. I thought Denver would win one, but no surprise they got swept. I also thought the Suns would be a little better too, but the Spurs are the Spurs. Were there any other series? Oh yeah, the East. Who cares.

2nd Round Match-Ups and Predictions


Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics (When they win)
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers

So, assuming the Celtics win, I am sure they will be glad to finally get rid of the Hawks. I still think they are the best team in the East, they are definately the most talented team. The tough opening series with the Hawks could either do two things for Boston. 1) Wake them up and remind them that this is the playoffs, and anything can happen, so get out there and come to play every night. -or- 2) Show the league that Boston is vulnerable and expose their weaknesses. I think that #1 is the more likely scenario. I don't think Cleveland has the collective firepower alongside Lebron to expose Boston enough to win the series. Boston is a mature team and will be more focused. Cleveland just didn't look very in-sync at times against Washington and that will continue, and be more evident, against a better team in the Celtics. Lebron will win a game or two for his team, but that's about it.

Boston in 6


(2) Detroit Pistons
(3) Orlando Magic

After watching the Pistons lose a couple in Philly, I began to question this team. They have the same basic core as when they were champions, but they didn't seem to have the same desire. I blame Flip Saunders. He looks lost sometimes when the team needs him to draw up quality plays down the stretch in close games, and his name is Flip. However, the Pistons are too talented to let him personally lose this series. Plus they completely dominated the Sixers the last two games like they should have. The Magic are a good team. Young and still developing, but not yet mature and experienced enough to take out Detroit. The centerpiece is in place for a good future, and Dwight Howard will dominate several games in the paint, but it won't be enough. Pistons just have two many steady and consistent weapons.

Pistons in 6


Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers
(4) Utah Jazz

This will be fun. The Lakers are playing great basketball and the first round was a breeze, but who in the West wouldn't have swept the Nuggets right now? It didn't really tell us anything new about LA, except that they continue to consistently win games they should. The Jazz on the other hand are very inconsistent. During the season, they lost to Minnesota one night, and beat Boston by 18 the next. They beat the Rockets twice in Houston, and then lost at home for just the fifth time all year. This series' outcome is 100% contingent on which Jazz team shows up. The Lakers will be the Lakers. We know they're a great team. The Jazz are a great team too, sometimes. If they want to beat the Lakers, they need to be great every game. I think the Jazz can win, I really do. The problem is, I think the Lakers will win. In my opinion, this series is a toss-up. But with homecourt belonging to LA and their consistently good play, they are the logically correct, but painful, choice.

Lakers in 7



(2) New Orleans Hornets
(3) San Antonio Spurs

This series will be interesting. The Hornets gained some good experience during the first round, but now the real test begins. It's playoff time, and that means the Spurs have flipped the switch which turns them from a good team into a championship team. Every year. It will be very hard for the Hornets to win this series. Tony Parker will play Chris Paul a lot tougher and quicker than old-man Kidd (no pun intended), and maybe even Bowen will get in on the act as well. Add Ginobili and Duncan to the mix..how does New Orleans counter? I don't think they have the talent and their lack of experience will finally catch up. Homecourt doesn't matter against the Spurs either. The Spurs owned the Suns, and the Suns are much more talented then the Hornets. The Hornets have proved me wrong before, but I am pretty confident it won't happen this time.

Spurs in 6

2008 NBA Playoffs

Now that the season is officially over and the playoff bracket is set, I can make my predictions for the first round. The seeding came down to a couple game 82's in the West and after a predictable night, playoff pairings settled into where most thought they would be. At first glance, the East is pretty predictable, at least we all know who will be in the East Finals. But I'll do my best at who I think will get through the first round. The West on the other hand bunches 5 or 6 teams all with a legitimate shot at getting to the Finals because for good teams in the playoffs, which the West is full of, anything can happen. So, for the fun of it, and I think this is a lot of fun, here are my first round picks:

Eastern Conference


(1) Boston Celtics
(8) Atlanta Hawks

I think that the Celtics and the Pistons should just play a 21 game series for the Eastern Conference title. Just get all of these meaningless 1st and 2nd round series out of the way. But unfortunately, that's not how it works. So, I bring you my analysis of this match up between the Hawks and Celtics. Celtics = really good. Hawks = Not really bad. Hey give credit where it's due. The Hawks are back in the playoffs after taking a ten year break. (Thank you Eastern Conference). The Celtics are arguably the best in the league, backed up by the league's best overall record and a 25-5 record against the West. This series will be an intriguing, intense, gritty, tough it out, hard fought battle for both teams. Just kidding.

Celtics in 4.


(4) Cleveland Cavaliers
(5) Washington Wizards

These teams meet again for the third straight postseason. You think that would make for a great and epic playoff rivalry (ex. Lakers and Kings). But if you were thinking that, you thought wrong. There have been some exciting games in the past, but for the most part this match up has been irrelevant. The Cavs have Lebron of course, so you can never completely count them out. Plus the addition of Big Ben in the middle gives them championship experience and some added defense. They were in the NBA Finals last year, but if I remember correctly they were also in the East last year, so that doesn't mean much. The Wizards have done a commendable job getting this far without Gilbert Arenas for most of the season and should be pleased with a playoff appearance. A win or two would be icing on the cake.

Cavs in 6.


(3) Orlando Magic
(6) Toronto Raptors

This series could be closer than most people think. But the reality is, most people will forget this series is even happening. I mean get real, one team is from Disney World and the other is from Canada. If you need a reason for caring however, the match up between Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh will be awesome. Both teams have legitimate young talent and some highlights are bound to be made. But other than that, check out this series to see who will lose to the Pistons in the second round. My bet is on the Magic.

Magic in 6.


(2) Detroit Pistons
(7) Philadelphia 76ers

This series is a no brainer. The fact that the Sixers are in the playoffs should be reward enough for Philly. My vote goes to Andre Miller for Most Improved Player...or more like the award for Most Under Appreciated Player Until Now. He has singlehandedly got the Sixers to the 7th seed. But the Pistons are the Pistons. Too much experience, depth, and talent. Not much needed to be said here. Bring out the brooms.

Pistons in 4.

Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers
(8) Denver Nuggets

This series in my opinion is the most predictable in the West. The Lakers are playing great basketball lately with Pau Gasol and it's almost disgusting how smooth his transition from the Grizzlies to the Lakers went. In fact, that whole trade was disgusting to everyone outside of LA and Pocatello, Idaho. If Andrew Bynum can work his way back into the lineup nicely during the playoffs, this might be the team to beat. The Nuggets have to play flawless basketball in order to put up anything resembling a fight. They are a streaky team and when they're on they are good, plus Iverson is a fighter. But, possibly the only thing they will leave this series with is another Carmelo DUI.

Lakers in 5.


(4) Utah Jazz
(5) Houston Rockets

By virtue of winning the Northwest Division, the Jazz get the #4 seed although the Rockets finished with a better record and will have homecourt advantage. The Jazz match up well with the Rockets and seem to be in their heads. With homecourt advantage this series would be a lock for the Jazz, who finished with a league best 37-4 record at home. But the Jazz will have to steal a road game in Houston in order to move on to the second round. The Rockets have come back to Earth since tearing off a 22 game winning streak. The absence of Yao Ming and a definite inside game will hurt them in the playoffs. If they get hot from the three point line, they have a chance. But, I see this series going to the Jazz like last year.

Jazz in 6.


(3) San Antonio Spurs
(6) Phoenix Suns

The Suns have been playing great basketball lately and the Shaq trade looks better every game. The Suns still have a top point guard in Steve Nash and a superstar in the making Amare Stoudemire. They pose difficult matchups for a lot of teams because of their ability to play both an up-tempo and half court game. But, unfortunately for the Suns, so can the Spurs. Tim Duncan is getting old, but Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili more than make up for his age. And I mean come on, he is still Tim Duncan, and the Spurs still are the defending Champions. I see this series being very fast at times and very slow at times, but ultimately, the Spurs will grind it out when the games get down and dirty.

Spurs in 6.


(2) New Orleans Hornets
(7) Dallas Mavericks

Normally you would think the #2 seed would have the distinct advantage in this series, but this year I don't find that to be the case. Dallas seems to have finally got things in working order since the Jason Kidd trade and might be gelling at the right time. However, I can't discredit the season the Hornets are having. They finished #2 in the West for a reason, they win games. They are collectively young and inexperienced in the playoffs, but I think Chris Paul and friends will continue past the first round, albeit a tough and grueling series.

Hornets in 7.

Playoff Sechedule

C-Webb Retires...Memories

Now I know most of you who read this probably could care less about Chris Webber. Some of you probably have no idea who he is. Some of you probably think he was one of the greatest underachievers of all time...like ESPN's J.A. Adande wrote here. But guess what, this is my journal and I will write about Chris Webber because I want to. During those Kings playoff runs earlier this decade I didn't miss a single second watching him and the Kings play basketball. I was fortunate, the Kings played the Jazz three years in a row in the first round of the playoffs and I went to every game. Some of you who read this might have very well sat next to me at those games, dodging flying debris from angry Jazz fans due to the beatdown the Kings always enforced at the Delta Center, enhanced by my posterboards and Kings apparel.

Those were the days.

Several frustrating playoff losses to the Lakers, a couple trades, and a destroyed knee later, C-Webb's career is officially over.

Here is a nice tribute video reminding us of his glory years with the Kings.



I still remember the day I found out the Kings traded him, I was in Morgantown, Kentucky. It was hard for me to digest the fact that my favorite sports team of all time was being dissembled. Peja, Christie, Pollard, Divac, Bibby...all gone now. But it all started with Webber. And it all ended with Webber.

Wow, what a depressing post. But the future looks bright.

Go Kings!

Chris Webber To Retire

"Sources told ESPN.com that Webber, unable to play since March 2 because of the latest complications with his knee, decided in the past week to end his pro career after 15 seasons, having struggled with his mobility for the past five of those seasons since a serious tear in the 2003 playoffs that required microfracture surgery."

Marc Stein

Although Webber was traded from the Kings back in 2005 his game was a huge part of my life during the late 90's and early 2000's. I loved those Kings. Jason Williams, Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Peja, C-Webb, Vlade, Bobby Jackson, Corliss Williamson...those were the years when I loved basketball more than anything.

We were so close! Game 7, overtime, and a Mike Bibby face fouling Kobe Bryant's elbow away from a championship.

Chris Webber averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over his 15 year career. Check out his company (20+ points, 9+ rebounds, 4+ assists for career):

Kevin Garnett
Larry Bird
Billy Cunningham
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor

Pretty elite. I'm not saying he's a Hall of Famer and it's quite surprising he's in the same category as those listed above. He didn't get the ring and struggled at times to be a dominant player, but he was definately a solid all-star and top 5 power forward during his prime years with the Kings. I'll miss him.