You vote on the Western Conference Winners, Head-to-Head

Head-to-Head: The regular season is over. This means the playoffs have arrived. Sixteen teams qualified for the NBA’s second season. In two months, only one team will be standing.

There’s nothing better than a Sunday triple-header of playoff basketball. So get ready NBA fans. Below is your Western Conference playoff preview.

Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Houston are my picks. What do you think? Read on and weigh in with your opinion. Enter your picks in the comment box below and we will tally up the results.

Dallas (1) versus Golden State (8)

The Mavericks are the NBA’s best team, posting an impressive 67-15 record. Their recipe for success is simple: play great defense and surround your one superstar, Dirk Nowitzki, with a deep team.

Home-court advantage, for the entire playoffs, will be a huge help.

The Warriors have been playing outstanding basketball, winning 16 of their final 21 games to clinch the final spot in the post season. This team’s often called a poor-man’s Phoenix Suns because they love to run and push the rock.

Worth Watching: (1) Don Nelson faces his old team, the Dallas Mavericks. Hard feelings exist between ‘Nellie’ and Mark Cuban, the Mavericks’ owner, over how the coach left Dallas. (2) Can the Warriors force the Mavericks into playing an up-tempo style?

Prediction: Dallas wins in six games. The Mavericks are too talented for the Warriors. But this series will be closer than most expect.

Phoenix (2) versus Los Angeles (7)

The Suns are better than last year. Amare Stoudemire is healthy and playing solid defense. Kurt Thomas is also back from injury, giving the Suns another low post defender. Phoenix already boasts a powerful line-up with Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Amare Stoudemire.

The Lakers are worse than last year. They’ve battled injuries. They’ve battled chemistry issues. And they’ve struggled at point guard. With the exception of Kobe Bryant, the entire team has struggled to play consistently. Phil Jackson better use his Zen/Chi to help the Lakers find their ‘A’ game or this thing is over in a hurry.

Worth Watching: Kobe versus Raja, of course. These two have a healthy dislike for each other.

Prediction: The Suns will win in six games. Los Angeles is a decent team, but their season hit a snag when Luke Walton and Lamar Odom went down with injuries.

San Antonio (3) versus Denver (6)

No doubt about it, the Spurs have been slept on. They could be the best team in basketball. Consider their 35-11 record since January 3rd.

The Spurs also play great defense. And great defense, as we know, wins NBA Titles. Look for San Antonio’s big three, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, to get off in this series.

The Nuggets clicked towards the end of the season, winning 8 of 9 games to clinch the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony have found their niche as a duo.

But Denver, even with Marcus Camby manning the middle, doesn’t play enough defense to make a playoff run.

Worth Watching: (1) The showdown between Tony Parker and Allen Iverson, two of the league’s quickest players. (2) In the past, Denver’s fans and coaching staff have complained about Ginobili’s flopping. Will the Argentine continue to pull a Vlade Divac and flop?

Prediction: The Spurs will win in six games. San Antonio could go all the way, while Denver has much to prove.

Houston (4) versus Utah (5)

This year, the Rockets will breakthrough and win their opening round series against Utah. Why? Well, Houston finally has a team to play next to superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Shane Battier, also known as Horace Grant part 2, leads the supporting cast. Rafer Alston, Dikembe Mutombo, Chucky Hayes, and Luther Head have all contributed to Houston’s success. The Rockets are also well-coached, disciplined, and have home-court advantage.

Utah struggled down the stretch, losing 7 of their last 11 games. This tailspin cost the Jazz home-court advantage in their series against Rockets. It even prompted Larry Miller, the team’s controversial owner, to tell the media that the “Jazz suck.”

Okay, the Jazz don’t suck. If they find their early season form, Utah could win the series. But Andrei Kirilenko must start producing.

Worth Watching: Will Tracy McGrady look for his own shot or facilitate for others?

Prediction: The Rockets will win in seven games.

Bookmark NBAblog.hoopsvibe.com and read Oly Sandor’s NBA blog everyday.

NBA Wrap-up For April 20

Top 3 Stories

1) Lakers and Suns....let’s get ready to rumble
2) What’s the real deal with KG in Minnesota
3) Breaking News: Oden’s in for the draft

1) Kobe Bryant may need ’a hug’ after the rematch against Phoenix

What happened: On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. And with the win the Lakers will face the Suns in the first round of the post-season.

Yes, this means Kobe versus Raja, the rematch.

Last year, the Bryant versus Bell plotline took center stage in a classic playoff series. Bryant was called a quitter by the TNT crew, while Bell established himself as a legitimate NBA player.

Phoenix came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win in seven games.

Reaction of ESPN reporter Mark Stein on the Lakers playing the Suns:
 “Yet in spite of all of the above, just knowing Kobe will be lining up against Raja Bell makes this a must-see series for as long as it lasts. The personalities involved, as with the next series we’ll cover, are going to keep us hooked even if the Suns and Lakers aren’t going seven again.” (ESPN)

Reaction of CNN reporter Marty Burns on Bryant matching up against Bell:
“The 6-5 guard is a terrific defender but also highly emotional. The Suns desperately need him on the court to contain Bryant, which means he can’t lose his head like he did a year ago. Offensively, Bell (right) must knock down enough open shots to keep Bryant honest defensively so he can’t cheat on Steve Nash.” (CNNSI)

My Take: The Lakers and Suns will be a great series. The Lakers are the NBA’s glamor team, while the Suns are the counter-culture team that fans love.

Of course, there’s the Bryant versus Bell match-up. These two have always hated each other-even before last year’s playoffs. But neither player can afford to get caught up in their individual match-up. Their teams need them on the floor, contributing to the overall game plan.

I see the Suns winning in six games. It won’t be as close last year, but it will still be worth watching.

2) McHale says he doesn’t want to trade Kevin Garnett

What Happened: Kevin McHale and Randy Wittman will return as GM and coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. And McHale doesn’t anticipate trading Kevin Garnett, the team’s all-world, superstar forward.

This year, the Wolves posted a disappointing 30-52 record and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Many thought McHale would be fired by ownership and the Wolves would overhaul their franchise by dealing Garnett.

But instead of rebuilding the entire team, ownership decided to stick with the status quo. They’ll try and change the players around Garnett.

Reaction of Minnesota GM Kevin McHale on the decision to keep Garnett:
“It was a bad season, there’s no other way you can say it. It was a bad year and I did a bad job. That’s the way it is… We’re not planning on trading Kevin.” (ESPN)

Reaction of Minnesota GM Kevin McHale on last season’s struggles:
"We have to try to put together a product on the floor that’s a lot more competitive and a lot more pleasing to watch. I mean there were times out there where I thought we were very hard to watch. You’d be watching the game and I’d be like, ’Ugh. That’s bad." (CNNSI)

Reaction of Minnesota Coach Randy Wittman on the need for changes:
“We’ve got a lot of soul-searching from an individual standpoint. We should be disappointed. I’m disappointed. I think everybody in that locker room should feel disappointed." (CNNSI)

My Take: On the surface, this looks like Glenn Taylor, the Wolves’ owner, bringing back his GM and coach. Simple enough, no need for analysis.

However, something else is going on. I really believe Taylor has already made the decision to move Garnett. But Taylor doesn’t want to take the blame or heat. So he brings back McHale to handle the Garnett situation. Now his GM, who’s already on thin ice with the fans, is on the hook.

But McHale isn’t dumb. He knows what’s going on and what’s at stake. Today’s comments were an attempt to force Garnett into requesting a trade. The Wolves essentially put the ball in KG’s court. If he wants a trade, he must publicly request it.

The cards have just been dealt in Minnesota. And all sides have their poker faces on.

3) Breaking News: Reports surface that Oden will officially declare for the draft

What Happened: Today, the speculation should finally end. ESPN has reported that a formal statement will be released, announcing Greg Oden’s intention to declare for the NBA draft.

The center is expected to be the first overall selection in the draft held on June 28th. Oden led his Ohio State Buckeyes to the NCAA finals, losing a close game to the Florida Gators.

Oden played in 32 of 39 games for the Buckeyes, posting season averages of 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Reaction of Hoopsvibe analyst Lance Walton on Oden’s potential:
“Greg Oden the 7’0, 260 pound center, is an amazing talent that many say has Hall of Famer Bill Russell potential. He has also been compared to David Robinson as a best case scenario, and Emeka Okafor as a worse case scenario.” (Hoopsvibe)

 Reaction of ESPN reporter Chad Ford on Oden’s potential:
“Oden, with his quickness, length and athleticism, will be a nightmare matchup on both ends of the floor for at least 27 other teams in the NBA. The bottom line? Look at NBA history. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal have shown that dominant centers deliver championships.” (ESPN)

My Take: Everyone had an idea Oden would leave college and declare for the NBA draft. Now we know he’s in. Here’s the question: How good can Oden be?

On defense, he’s ready to dominate because of his physical gifts. I see Oden immediately stepping in and anchoring an NBA team’s defense by blocking shots and dominating the glass.

On offense, he looks a bit raw. But this can be blamed on Ohio State’s coaching staff. Too often, the Buckeyes relied on their perimeter players instead of providing Oden with regular touches, so he could establish an inside-outside game. I do think Oden has the potential to be a big-time scorer.


Come back tomorrow morning for another edition of the NBA Wrap-up, featuring Oly Sandor’s cutting-edge analysis. Got a comment or question? Use the comment box or email Oly at olysandor@hoopsvibe.com.

You vote on the Eastern Conference Winners, Head-to-Head

Head-to-Head: The regular season is finally over. This means the playoffs have arrived. Sixteen teams qualified for the NBA’s second season. In two months, only one team will be standing.

There’s nothing better than a Sunday triple-header of playoff basketball. So get ready NBA fans. Below is your Eastern Conference playoff preview.

Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, and Miami should advance. What do you think? Read on and weigh in with your opinion. Enter your picks in the comment box below and we will tally up the results.

Detroit (1) versus Orlando (8)

The Pistons are firing on all cylinders. Chris Webber’s passing has given Detroit’s starting five a boost, while the bench is deeper than ever.

Plain and simple, the Magic are a bad basketball team. But, somehow, they made the playoffs. Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard must be at their best or this will be a short series.

Worth Watching: Grant Hill, the former Pistons star, returns to Detroit to battle his old team. On a lesser note, Darko Milicic, the former Pistons bench-warmer, also returns to Detroit to battle his old team.

Prediction: Detroit will win in five games. Motown are peaking. Orlando’s going to take a serious ass-whopping.

Cleveland (2) versus Washington (7)

The Cavaliers have put together a strong season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference. Here’s the question everybody’s asking about Cleveland: is James’ supporting cast good enough to challenge Detroit? The answer is no. But they’re good enough to win a round or two.

Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards’ eccentric superstar, is out with a knee injury. Caron Butler, the team’s best all-round player, is out with a broken hand. Without Arenas and Butler, Washington struggled and aren’t good enough to compete in the post-season.

Worth Watching: You know him as the guy Arenas beat in shooting practice. But DeShawn Stevenson is also a pretty solid lock-down defender. It will be interesting to see if he can slow down James.

Prediction: Cleveland will win in five games. The Cavaliers are too good. And the Wizards are too banged-up.

Toronto (3) versus New Jersey (6)

The Raptors are an impressive team. They play together. They’re unselfish. And they work hard. Coach Sam Mitchell will have his team prepared for the second season. Chris Bosh, a legitimate MVP candidate, will get his against the Nets’ soft interior defense. And Toronto’s two point guards, T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, will keep superstar Jason Kidd busy.

New Jersey’s fate is linked to Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Richard Jefferson. As the big three go, so go the Nets. These guys can still bring it, but the Nets, as a team, lack any sort of inside presence.

Worth Watching: The Raptor faithful will be waiting for Vince Carter. They’ll boo VC, hoping he’ll fall to the floor and ‘fake’ an injury. But Toronto’s fans will be disappointed because Carter and the Nets have been on fire, winning several big games down the stretch to qualify for the post-season.

Prediction: Toronto will win in seven games. The Nets are better than their record indicates, but they’re not better than the surging Raptors. Home-court will help Toronto triumph.

Chicago (5th seed with home-court) versus Miami (4)

The Bulls play great defense. The Bulls have great chemistry. The Bulls always give a great effort. Sounds like a coach’s dream, huh?

Here’s where the dream ends. The Bulls lack offense. They have no low-post scoring. And they have no perimeter player who can create for others.

But can the Heat exploit the Bulls’ lack of offense? This is a fair question. After all, Miami’s had an inconsistent season. If Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal play well, everything else falls into place.

Worth Watching: The five-spot. Ben Wallace and Shaq-Diesel will fight for low post supremacy.

Prediction: The Heat will win in seven games. Miami, even with all their problems, still have the series two best players in Wade and Shaq.

Weigh in with your opinion. Enter your picks in the comment box below. Hoopsvibe will tally up the votes and announce the results.

Oly Sandor is HoopsVibe’s NBA analyst. Contact him at olysandor@hoopsvibe.com

NBA Wrap-up for April 19

Top 3 Stories

1) The Warriors are playoff bound
2) Clippers out; Lakers hold on to 7th
3) Duncan worried refs will hold a grudge

1) Golden State taking on Dallas in the first round

What Happened: Pigs are flying. Hell has frozen over. And the Golden State Warriors are going to the playoffs.

The Warriors clinched the 8th seed in the Western Conference playoffs by beating the Trail Blazers on the final day of the regular season.

With the win, Golden State ended a 12 year playoff drought. The Warriors got back into the playoff race by winning 16 of their final 21 games.

Reaction of broadcaster Matt Steinmetz on the Warriors playoff chances:
“The Warriors are dangerous. Why? Because they’re 16-5. Because they’re one of the hottest teams in the league right now. And they’ve beaten really good teams. Their schedule was not easy… They’ve done an incredible job. I don’t think anybody thought they’d be here after that Washington loss in early March.” (Fox Sports Network)

Reaction of Golden State guard Jason Richardson on the post-game celebration:
"It was crazy. Guys were laughing, having a good time, yelling at each other. It just felt amazing. I don’t think I will be able to sleep for about two days.’" (CNNSI)

Reaction of Golden State Coach Don Nelson on the Warriors down the stretch:
’’Each one of these last games has been bigger and bigger. This was the biggest because if we win, we’re in. We needed to win." (CNNSI)

My Take: The curse is lifted. The Warriors are in. Golden State deserves a ton of credit for having a great final month of the season. This team has chemistry. They’re feeling good about things.

Can the Warriors upset the Mavericks? No, but they’ll be competitive. Golden State has some swagger and their up-tempo style gives Dallas problems. This will be a fun series.

2) Clippers done, Lakers advance to the second season

What Happened: The basketball gods have spoken. The Los Angeles Clippers are still the Los Angeles Clippers. And the Los Angeles Lakers are still the Los Angeles Lakers.

These two teams share a city. But Wednesday night proved, once again, how different their fate and fortune is.

The Clippers were eliminated from the post season after the Warriors beat the Blazers to clinch the last playoff spot. It gets worse for L.A.’s other team. The Clipper lost to the Hornets in the final seconds on a wild buzzer-beater. When it rains, it pours.

Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers won their final game against Sacramento to hang onto the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They’ll face the Suns in the first round of the playoffs.

Reaction of Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand on missing the playoffs:
"I definitely don’t want the season to be over now. It really hurts, it really burns. We need to improve our attention to detail. ’We lost some tough games because of some bonehead plays.’’
 (CNNSI)

Reaction of Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton on their first round rematch with Phoenix :
’’Obviously as a basketball player and a competitor, if a team knocks you out of the playoffs, you want a chance to get your revenge. It wasn’t like we were looking to play any one of them, but it will be nice to get that opportunity.’’ (CNNSI)

My Take: The Clippers have had very little luck this season. That being said, the Clippers would be heading to Dallas if they handled their business against Sacramento last Sunday night.

I think the Clippers lacked focus. Sure, they had injuries, but they played as individuals for most of the season. I think they took a step back this season.

The Lakers did just enough to make the playoffs. The difference between the two L.A. teams: Kobe Bryant. The most talented player in the world held things together for the Lakers. I’m thrilled the Lakers will play the Suns in a first round rematch of last year’s classic series.

3) Timmy D worried about the ref’s wrath

What Happened: Tim Duncan is concerned other referees could hold a grudge against him for his confrontation with veteran official Joey Crawford.

Duncan got ejected from Sunday’s game between San Antonio and Dallas. He got his second technical, for laughing, from the Spurs’ bench.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Stern suspended Crawford for the rest of the season because he felt the referee provoked the incident.

Crawford has over thirty years of experience as a referee. He’s also served as a mentor and friend to many of the league’s younger officials.

Reaction of San Antonio forward Tim Duncan on ref’s holding a grudge:
“I didn’t do anything to invoke the reaction that he gave to me and what he did, so I had nothing to do with that. So hopefully they take that into consideration and we get a fair shake from everybody." (ESPN.com)

Reaction of San Antonio Express reporter Mike Monroe on ref’s holding a grudge against Duncan and the Spurs:
 “A basketball executive from a Western Conference team — not a Spur — phoned me Tuesday afternoon and began our conversation with a reminder and a warning: If Tim thinks he had a hard time staying on the court in Athens (during the 2004 Olympics), wait until two or three of those Philadelphia refs show up to work one of the Spurs’ playoff games. (Spurs trainer) Will Sevening had better make sure Tim doesn’t catch a cold, because if he sneezes in one of those refs’ direction, he’s apt to get a tech." (San Antonio Express News)

My Take: I’m not sure what to make of this situation. Officials aren’t supposed to have a bias. But, as we saw with Crawford, that’s not always the case. However, I can’t see the refs harboring a long-term grudge against Duncan or the Spurs.

The media attention from this incident should be a concern. San Antonio and Duncan aren’t used to the glare of the national spotlight. This incident has gotten more national attention than San Antonio’s drive to the NBA Title. I don’t think they need any distractions heading into the post-season.

Below is more exclusive analysis on the incident between Tim Duncan and Joey Crawford.
-Finally we can relate to Duncan.
-Stern and NBA partly to blame for Duncan.


Come back tomorrow morning for another edition of the NBA Wrap-up, featuring Oly Sandor’s cutting-edge analysis. Got a comment or question? Use the comment box or email Oly at olysandor@hoopsvibe.com.

NBA Wrap-up for April 18

Top 3 Stories

1) Breaking News: Crawford may be retiring
2) Clips and Warriors both win; 8th place still open
3) The Logo finished in Memphis

1) Breaking News: Crawford may eject himself by retiring

What Happened: Joey Crawford may be tossing himself from the NBA. On Tuesday evening reports surfaced that Crawford was contemplating retirement after getting suspended for the rest of the season.

Earlier in the day, Commissioner Stern announced that the controversial referee would be suspended indefinitely for tossing Tim Duncan from Sunday’s game between the Spurs and Mavericks. Duncan received his second technical for laughing. The star forward was sitting down on San Antonio’s bench.

The NBA immediately began to investigate the incident. Crawford was defiant when talking to the media and the league’s head office. Yesterday, following his suspension, he sent a confidential email that sounded a lot like a resignation notice.

Reaction of Commissioner Stern on the severity of Crawford’s suspension:
 “Especially in light of similar prior acts by this official, a significant suspension is warranted. Although Joey is consistently rated as one of our top referees, he must be held accountable for his actions on the floor, and we will have further discussions with him following the season to be sure he understands his responsibilities." (CNNSI)

Reaction of referee Joey Crawford on his suspension (from his confidential email):
"If my employer does not think that was acceptable (ejecting Duncan), I have a problem.” (ESPN)

Reaction of referee Joey Crawford on his future with the NBA (from his confidential email): “Please do not be sad for me [as] I have had a great run and a great career and NOBODY will ever take that from me." (ESPN)

My Take: I think Crawford should retire from the NBA. He thinks he’s done nothing wrong. And he will continue to makes himself a part of the game if allowed to continue as an official. This time he went too far. Tossing Duncan, for laughing from the bench, was the final straw.

It’s time for Crawford to bounce. By retiring, he maintains whatever dignity he has left.

Below is more exclusive coverage on the incident between Crawford and Duncan:
 -Finally we can relate to Tim Duncan.

2) Warriors and Clippers still alive, final playoff spot decided tomorrow

What Happened: And then there were still two. The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers both won last night, so nothing has changed in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Warriors remain one game ahead of the Clippers. The final playoff spot will come down to tomorrow night, the last day of the regular season.

Golden State travels north to play Portland. Los Angeles will take on Oklahoma City at home. The Clippers hold the tie breaker in the season series with the Warriors.

Reaction of Golden State Coach Don Nelson on the game ahead:
"Like I said before, we have to win all our games and nothing has changed. We are doing no celebrating. We have one more game and I think it’s gonna be our toughest game of the year. It’s just a feeling that I have that it’s gonna be a tough game. We will prepare tonight and hopefully the force will be with us. I want us to be mentally prepared. They have a back-to-back game tomorrow and Avery chose not to play his guys in this game. That is his choice, he didn’t want to play his guys in a back-to-back game. He runs his team and I run mine. I think we are vulnerable, we have won so many games in a row and I just want us to have our guard up tomorrow." (Warriors.com)

Reaction of Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand on his team stumbling down the stretch:
"Just two weeks ago we were fighting for seventh. We still have to go out and handle our business tomorrow. All in all, it’s still disappointing that it had to come down to this.’’ (NBA.com)

Reaction of LA Times blogger Bob Baker on the Clippers no longer being the fan favorite:
“It kills me that what everybody loves about the Warriors is what they loved about the Clips last year: dignity. Redemption. Comeback. Last year was the Clips’ first in the playoffs in 13 years. This year will mark the Warriors first trip to the playoffs in 12.” (LATimes.com)

My Take: I want the Warriors to qualify. Yes, there’s a nostalgia factor because Golden State hasn’t made the playoffs in 12 years. 

But they’re also more deserving than the Clippers. Nelly’s crew has played well down the stretch. They’ve come together. The Clippers remind me of the Clippers.

I also think the Warriors up-tempo style will make for an entertaining series with the Mavericks. And don’t forget about the feud between Don Nelson and Dallas’ owner Mark Cuban. This adds intrigue.

3) Destination unknown for The Logo

What Happened: Michael Heisley is staying as owner of the Memphis Grizzlies. So, for a variety of reasons, Jerry West will leave the organization in July.

One day after Heisley publicly decided against selling the team, West, the club’s director of basketball operations, announced he’ll be moving on.

West, one of the game’s greatest players and front office executives, felt the ownership situation was too much for a 69-year old to handle.

West is under contract until July. He did not discuss the possibility of joining another team.

Reaction of Grizzles’ executive Jerry West on leaving:
“I’m not a youngster anymore. I think the wear and tear of the season, particularly like this (has been tough). There’s been a lot of turmoil here. The ownership thing have made it very difficult to concentrate on what we need to do here to improve our basketball team." (CNNSI.com)

Reaction of Grizzlies’ executive Jerry West on what Memphis needs:
"We need a big tough rebounder, and there’s a kid who’s a big tough rebounder in this draft who played on great teams. That’s one of the things we need. We need to upgrade our backcourt ... You need a leader back there." (Yahoo.com) 

Reaction of Yahoo analyst Steve Kerr on Grizzlies’ executive Jerry West leaving Memphis:
“The news that Jerry West will resign from his position with the Memphis Grizzlies doesn’t come as a great shock. There have been plenty of rumors regarding his departure for the past year or so, and Memphis’ horrendous record this season couldn’t have helped.” (Yahoo.com)

My Take: It’s no surprise that West is moving on from Memphis. The NBA Wrap-up reported this story last week.

I’m fascinated to know what’s next for the legendary player and front office executive. Right now, there seems to be two possibilities: New York and Minnesota.

Isiah Thomas is going to stay with the Knicks in a coach-only capacity. West, at 69 years old, probably doesn’t have the energy and patience to deal with the NYC’s media. The team is slightly dysfunctional and then there’s Thomas. This seems like too great a challenge.

Kevin McHale is probably finished as the Wolves’ GM. Would ‘The Logo’ have any interest in combining forces with-or trading-The Big Ticket? That’s the question. Unfortunately, Minnesota, like New York is a mess. The Garnett saga is looming over the franchise. They’ve got few prospects and very little cap room.

There’s no reason for West to join Minnesota. Personally, I see The Logo entering semi-retirement. He might sign on with a team as a part time consultant.

Come back tomorrow morning for another edition of the NBA Wrap-up, featuring Oly Sandor’s cutting-edge analysis. Got a comment or question? Use the comment box or email Oly at olysandor@hoopsvibe.com.

Stern and NBA partly at fault for Crawford/Duncan incident.

I agree. The NBA, specifically Commissioner Stern, got it right by suspending referee Joey Crawford for his confrontation with San Antonio star Tim Duncan.

I haven’t agreed with many of the royal decrees coming from NBA head office. I hated the fines for long shorts. I hated the age limit that restricted high school players. And I thought the dress code was hypocritical.

This year’s plastic ball was a joke. But the suits at head office were bang on in dispensing ‘stern’ justice against Crawford.

Unfortunately, the NBA is partially responsible for Crawford’s antics. Yes, the NBA should assume some of the blame for last Sunday’s blow-up.

Last October, the NBA wanted to stop players from protesting referee’s calls. So they instituted a no tolerance policy. Refs were encouraged to give players technical fouls for minor infractions.

There was already a problem with Crawford being too quick in dispensing technical fouls. But Crawford probably saw the no tolerance policy as a confirmation of what he was already doing.

The no tolerance policy also furthered the confrontational environment that exists between players and refs.

So one the one hand, Sunday’s incident occured because Crawford and Duncan have a poor personal relationship. And on the other hand, it occurred because a poor dynamic exists between players and refs as a whole-something the NBA has contributed to and should be accountable for.

Commissioner Stern was correct in suspending Crawford. Now he needs to look in the mirror.

Who do you think is to blame for the incident between Duncan and Crawford? Enter your comments in the box below. Read Oly Sandor’s NBA blog at www.nbablog.hoopsvibe.com

NBA Wrap-up for April 16

Top 3 Stories

1) T-Mac, T-Mac, and more T-Mac. Rockets clinch home-court for Rd 1
2) The Warriors and Clippers battle for the last playoff spot
3) Joey Crawford gets Timmy Duncan animated

1) The Rockets will launch their playoff run from Houston

 What Happened: Next Saturday, the Houston Rockets will start the playoffs at home.

The Rockets sealed up the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoffs with a 120-117 victory on Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.

The West is extremely close. With the win, Houston will enjoy home-court advantage in their series against the Utah Jazz. An extra home game could be the difference between these two evenly matched teams.

Tracy McGrady is finding his form for the playoffs. T-Mac had 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists in the win.

Reaction of Houston guard Tracy McGrady on finishing fourth in the Western Conference:
“Yao going down for 2 1/2 months put us in a situation to either move forward or really do something special in terms of keeping our head above water. I didn’t want that to happen. I took my game to another level, the guys stepped up and played extremely well.” (CNNSI.com)

Reaction of Houston center Yao Ming on finishing fourth in the Western Conference:
 "It is huge. We were so excited when the clock was running to zero. It feels like winning a playoff series." (CNNSI.com)

My Take: I like Houston. They play defense. They have two talented stars in McGrady and Yao. And Jeff Van Gundy is an excellent coach.

I think the Rockets could be on the verge of a playoff breakthrough. Unlike past years, they finally have some nice role players in Shane Battier, Chucky Hayes, Luther Head, and Dikembe Mutombo. I see Houston as a dangerous team. Home-court has to help.

2) Golden State and ’L.A.’s other team’ battle for the final playoff birth out West

 What Happened: And then there were two. The final playoff spot comes down to two teams: the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Right now, the Warriors enjoy a one game lead over the Clippers. Los Angeles dropped an important game to the lowly Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.

Both teams have two games left to play.

Reaction of Golden State guard Jason Richardson on the potential match-up with Dallas:
“It’s going to be a battle; that’s what we want to let them know.Even though we’re the eight seed, we’re going to battle and play hard." (Dallasnews.com)

Reaction of Los Angeles forward Tim Thomas on his team’s disappointing loss to Sacramento:
"I was shocked by our play in the first half. "We didn’t have the focus. In the second half, we got it back, but we needed that for 48 minutes. We’re still in the race, but now we need Golden State to lose." (KTLK radio)

Reaction of ESPN reporter Jon Barry on the potential for a Warriors and Mavericks first round series:
"His (Don Nelson’s) departure from Dallas probably wasn’t as smooth as it might appear. And you have the prospect of the Warriors sweeping the regular-season series from the best team in the league. If they do meet, the play of Baron Davis will be a key. Even though he’s not 100 percent, he can still control a game completely." (ESPN.com)

My Take: There are two reasons why I would love to see Golden State in the playoffs. First, they would snap a 12 year playoff drought. The last time the Warriors qualified for the post season, they rolled deep with a trio called RUN T-M-C. Yes, that’s right-Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin.

Second, Golden State plays an entertaining brand of basketball. They run. They push the ball. They go small. They take all sorts of bad shots. Hey, like WWE, it’s entertainment.

The Warriors are coached by Don Nelson, basketball’s mad-scientist coach. So this style of play is to be expected.

3) Let’s get ready to rumble: Crawford versus Duncan

What Happened: Tim Duncan, the person, finally made headlines. During the third quarter of yesterday’s game between San Antonio and Dallas, referee Joey Crawford dropped two quick technical fouls on the low-key star.

The second technical foul came when Duncan was on the bench, joking with teammates. Without Duncan, the Spurs lost the game and any chance of securing home court advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

The drama continued after the game. Duncan and Crawford both had plenty to say.

Reaction of San Antonio center Tim Duncan on his on-going beef with ref Joey Crawford:
“I don’t know what else they want me to do? If he wants camera time, then he can call the techs and get all the camera time he wants. I don’t know what the deal is. Joey knew exactly what he was doing. He came into this game with a personal vendetta.”

 “He looked at me and said, ‘Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?”‘ Duncan said. “If he wants to fight, we can fight. I don’t have any problem with him, but we can do it if he wants to. I have no reason why in the middle of a game he would yell at me, ‘Do you want to fight? ” (ESPN)

Reaction of referee Joey Crawford on his confrontation with Spurs star Tim Duncan:
“And then he went over to the bench and he was over there doing the same stuff behind our back I hit him with one (technical) and he kept going over there, and I look over there and he’s still complaining. So I threw him out.

“That’s his opinion. He said nothing when he was walking off the court and he called me a piece of (expletive). Is that nothing?” (Slam Magazine)

Reaction of ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith on the confrontation between Duncan and Crawford:
“At the end of the day we all know Joey Crawford is an elephant is in this business. What I mean by that is that he does have a very long memory. And you best believe that if you say anything to him, he’s going to remember it.” (ESPN)

 My Take: I think this is disappointing. Nobody cares about Joey Crawford. And there’s merit to Duncan’s accusation of the ref holding a personal vendetta against him. Watch the replay of the second technical foul. Duncan does nothing wrong. In the NBA, where players yell and swear at refs, Duncan’s simply laughing. Crawford’s looking to the Spurs’ bench, seeking a confrontation with the star center. Duncan is a league MVP and should be afforded a basic level of respect.

With Duncan ejected, San Antonio lost a close game to the Mavericks, killing any chance at securing second place in the Western Conference. And Dallas’ fans didn’t get a chance to watch Duncan down the stretch.

All of this because of one ref’s ego. I think the NBA should take action against Crawford.

Click here for more analysis on Duncan’s ejection.


Come back tomorrow morning for another edition of the NBA Wrap-up, featuring Oly Sandor’s cutting-edge analysis. Got a comment or question? Use the comment box or email Oly at olysandor@hoopsvibe.com.

Finally We Can Relate To Tim Duncan

I was shocked. Not by Joey Crawford, the hot-headed referee, ejecting Tim Duncan from Sunday’s game, but by The Big Fundamental’s reaction.

Yes, his reaction. He did react. We all saw it. First, he laughed. Then he dropped some intensely foul language on Crawford after getting tossed.

This means one thing: Tim Duncan is human. He’s a real person.

We’ve never got to know Timmy-D. For over a decade, he’s shielded who he is from the media and fans.

Don’t get me wrong. Fans aren’t entitled to know about player’s private lives. And players, like Duncan, have every right to keep to themselves.

But damn, Duncan defines man of mystery. He’s permanently sporting a poker face, keeping everyone and everything on the outside.

I just think Duncan would benefit by occasionally showing fans some personality. His amazing accomplishments are slept on because the masses don’t know him and can’t relate to him.

But last night was good to see. Duncan reacted like a normal person. I thought his actions were justified. I could finally relate to him. I only wonder why it took ten years.

Bookmark NBAblog.hoopsvibe.com and read Oly Sandor’s NBA blog everyday.

NBA Wrap-up for April 15

Top 3 Stories

1) Kobe drops 50, Lakers officially in playoffs
2) Warriors move into eighth place over Clippers
3) Orlando lock up 8th, but it’s not pretty

1) Bryant seals post season birth with another 50 pointer

What Happened: It’s a fitting way for the Lakers to clinch a playoff spot. Kobe Bryant once again scored 50 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 109-98 victory over Seattle Supersonics.

This was the tenth time this season Bryant has scored 50 or more points in a game. Wilt Chamberlain is the only player with more 50 point games in a single season.

Bryant started the season as a facilitator, looking to get his teammates involved. But Luke Walton and Lamar Odom missed long stretches of the season with injuries. So Bryant had to increase his scoring for the Lakers to make the playoffs.

Reaction of L.A. Times reporter Andrew Kamenetzky on the Lakers qualifying:
"Which is why the Lakers will take this 109-98 win over a team as crappy as the Seattle Not-so-Supersonics. Yeah, the Lakers squandered an 18 point lead. Yeah, they should have widened that gap against a team missing Ray Allen, Luke Ridnour, and Earl Watson, as opposed to battling a tightly contested second half where Seattle actually came within a point of knotting things." (LATimes.com)

Reaction of NBA TV Host Rick Kamla on Bryant’s play:
"It’s none other than Mr. 50. Kobe is Mr. 50. His tenth 50 point game of the season. There’s that shot right there, vertical to the ground, falling away baseline style and he hits it. And Kobe’s shooting was absolutely remarkable on Sunday.”

“You kind of knew a 50 was coming Sunday against Seattle with the playoffs on the line.” (NBA TV)

My Take: I think Kobe Bryant has had a truly remarkable season. This is his tenth game scoring 50 or more points. What an amazing feat. I marvel at how many different ways he can score. He must be included in any MVP discussion.

Right now, I think the Lakers are a little too discombobulated to upset a team in the first round. They’re still finding their way after so many injuries. But with Bryant playing at such a high level, they won’t be a pushover, either.

It looks like the Lakers will draw the Suns. A rematch of last season’s first round series. I look forward to watching Bryant and Raja Bell go at.

2) Warriors win, close to ending 12 playoff drought

What Happened: The Golden State Warriors are three days away from breaking a 12 year playoff drought-thanks in part to the Sacramento Kings.

After beating the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 121-108, the Warriors turned their attention to the out-of-town scoreboard.

They got help from an unlikely source. The lowly Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, moving the Warriors into sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference playoffs with two games left.

Reaction of Golden State guard Baron Davis on qualifying for the playoffs:
“We’re in the driver’s seat, and what better position do you want, going into the last two games? We’re playing good basketball right now. We’ve got great chemistry, and we’re still learning and improving. But we know we’re not there yet. Dallas is the best team in the league. We’ve still got to keep our eye on what we want to do.” (NBA.com)

Reaction of Golden State Coach Don Nelson on qualifying for the playoffs:
 “If we can win out we go to the playoffs. But we have the best team in basketball coming into our place on Tuesday who put San Antonio in their place today. We haven’t had the luxury of controlling our own destiny in a while and that’s why we fought so hard and have the record that we do down the stretch. I am still worried about our last two games because we have to play the best team in basketball and then go on the road on a back-to-back and we haven’t done well in those situations.” (Warriors.com)

Reaction of Golden State guard Monta Ellis on the team’s success:
 "It’s very nice. We deserve it. We’ve worked hard, and we’ve come together since the trade and everybody is getting to know each other, and we’re playing good basketball right now. And it was either us or them, and we continue to play and they lost. But we have to continue to do what we do." (Warriors.com)

My Take: I think the Warriors could be a dangerous team. They’ve won 14 of their last 19 games. And things are rolling. These guys have that swagger; they’re feeling good about things.

They also give Dallas problems. The Warriors are at their best playing an up-and-down style like Phoenix. This type of tempo gives the Mavericks problems. And, remember, Golden State has beaten Dallas twice this year. If they get in, the Warriors could be a tough match-up for the Mavs.

3) Magic look inconsistent, but qualify for playoff

What Happened: They did it. The Orlando Magic secured the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by beating the Boston Celtics 88-86. However, the win didn’t exactly build confidence.

The Magic struggled against an inexperienced Celtic team that was missing Paul Pierce.

Reaction of Orlando center Dwight Howard on his team’s struggles:
“I think we kind of started thinking about the playoffs a little too early. We went through a long stretch where we couldn’t catch the ball, make a basket or do anything.’’ (NBA.com)

Reaction of Orlando Coach Brian Hill on his team’s struggles:
"Obviously it wasn’t the ending we would liked to have scripted. We got incredibly tentative with the ball and it was like everybody was looking for everybody else to do something. I imagine there is a sense of relief on everybody’s part and we can certainly play a lot looser the last two games knowing we don’t have to win to play in the postseason.’’ (NBA.com)

Reaction of Orlando guard Jameer Nelson on the reaction of the home crowd:
“They booed us, they cheered us, they booed us, they cheered us.” (Orlando Sentinel)

My Take: This game wasn’t pretty. At times, the Magic looked pretty good. And at times, the Magic looked awful. But I think this is typical of Orlando’s season.They need to get some playoff experience. They can address their problem areas in the summer. They’re in. For now, that’s the only thing worth worrying about.


Come back tomorrow morning for another edition of the NBA Wrap-up, featuring Oly Sandor’s cutting-edge analysis. Got a comment or question? Use the comment box or email Oly at olysandor@hoopsvibe.com.

You vote, Head-to-Head-The NBA’s best player: Bryant, James, Wade or somebody else?

Head-to-Head: At HoopsVibe, we’ll continue to debate Nash or Nowitzki for MVP. But now we want you to pick the NBA’s best player.

There’s an important distinction here. The NBA’s most valuable player usually isn’t the game’s best player.

So forget, for a moment, about the MVP award. What NBA player has the tightest skill set? What NBA player dominates both ends of the floor, imposing their talent and will on opponents?

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade are hoopsvibe’s nominees for best player.

Below is the case for each player. You know the deal. Read the evidence and post your vote in the comment box below.

Candidate #1: Kobe Bryant

2006-07 season averages: 31.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.

Argument for Bryant:

1) He’s the NBA’s best offensive player, leading the league in scoring for the second straight season. Bryant’s offensive repertoire is amazing; he can score in so many different ways.

2) He’s learning to involve teammates. At the beginning of the year, Bryant facilitated the triple-post offense and distributed the ball.

3) He’s an excellent team defender. Bryant rotates on defense, helping his teammates with their check. He’s also an above-average individual defender.

4) 9 games scoring 50 or more points. Enough said.

Argument against Bryant:

1) He occasionally struggles with the team concept. Bryant’s made strides in this area, but there’s a belief he still shoots too much.

Candidate #2: LeBron James

2006-07 season averages: 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

Argument for James:

1) At 6-8, 245 pounds, he physically imposes himself on opponents. James is the NBA’s best athlete, combining size, strength, speed, and body control.

2) He’s a brilliant finisher. James is unstoppable when taking the ball to the basket.

3) He’s a phenomenon. James, at just 22-years old, is further along in his development than any player in basketball history.

4) He’s the reincarnation of Oscar Robertson. James could be the first player since Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season.

5) He’s a superb passer. For such a young player, James has a great knowledge and feel for the game. With his size and athleticism, he can deliver amazing passes through acute angles.

Argument against James:

1) He’s shaky from the outside. At times, James’ jumper fails him. More-and-more opposing defenses are backing off the 2-guard and daring him to shoot.

2) He’s apparently hit a plateau. There’s a ‘feeling’ James’ game hasn’t improved from last season.

Candidate #3: Dwayne Wade

2006-07 season averages: 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists per game.

Argument for Wade:

1) He’s reminds some of Michael Jordan. This is the ultimate compliment. Analysts feel Wade, in terms of athleticism, skill set, and body type, is very similar to His Airness.

2) He’s efficient in how he gets his points. Wade averages 28 points per game without taking a lot of shot attempts. Flash scores by getting to the line and shooting a high percentage.

3) He does a great job involving his teammates in the offense. Wade’s an unselfish star, dropping 8 dimes per game.

4) He’s a solid individual and team defender. Wade’s quickness allows him to match-up against his own check, while also helping teammates.

5) Did you see last year’s playoffs? Wade’s a clutch performer.

Argument against Wade:

1) He’s missed games. Wade’s all-out style leaves him vulnerable to injuries.

You decide the winner. Post your vote in the comment box below. HoopsVibe.com will tally the votes and announce the NBA’s best player. Later this week, you can logon to NBAblog.hoopsvibe.com for an opportunity to vote on the rest of the NBA awards.