Kings vs Grizzlies, 8:00 pm

Jason Thompson will return to his ways from before the three game skid and lead the Kings to a much-needed win over Memphis.  Zach Randolph and Rudy gay will have big games in a losing effort.  For Sacramento Donte Green and Fransisco Garcia will help out Thompson with strong outings.

Bulls vs Blazers, 10:00 pm

The Bulls will lose the third of the first four games of their annnual ‘circus road trip’.  Look for Rudy Fernandez and Brand Roy to play well for a Blazers team in pursuit of their eleventh win.  After a couple of big scoring nights Derrick Rose will drop back down closer to his season average as teammate Loul Deng will pick up the slack.

T-Wolves vs. Clippers, 10:35 pm

Minnesota will leave LA with still only one win to their credit.  Al Thornton and Chris Kaman will be the key players in the win, while Johnny Flynn and Al Jefferson’s showings will come up short.  The match up between Jefferson and Kaman will be an interesting one as will the pairing of Baron Davis and Flynn.

Spurs vs Bucks, 8:30 pm

Players to watch: Charlie Bell, Tony Parker

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Scoring: Brandon Roy, Zach Randolph

Rebounds: Jason Thompson, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah

Assists: Tony Parker

Best Overall Performer: Brandon Roy

Continuing in the tradition of class cancellations, six of my twelve hours of teaching this week never took place, either because teachers needed the students to take tests, or because the teachers were sick.  This means I spent a lot of time sitting at a computer typing away at my graduate application essays: 3 out of 5 essays are nearing completion, and my deadline is a month away! I’ve never been so far ahead of schedule.

None of my seconde classes were canceled, however.  That meant I could still go ahead with my carefully planned out class schedule.  This week we went over another idiomatic expression (“thick as thieves,” or “copains comme cochons“).  But the pièce de résistance was my social-networking experiment: the Facebook Classroom.

I had been getting several of those chain emails with attachments like “What if God had Twitter?” and “Isaac Newton’s Facebook Page,” which is where this all started. But we’d been told to stay away from religious themes in class, and I wasn’t sure how many of my kids were nerdy enough to be entertained by Newton’s hypothetical profile (unlike my friends, who I’m sure would be ROTFL.  Please note that the last word in that sentence was written with only sarcastic intentions). So I found something I was sure they’d all find funny:

Luke, Vader wants to add you as a son on "Family Connections." Accept? Ignore?

Some of the classes thought it was funny.  That’s better than nothing.  One class, when asked if they thought it was a funny joke, said, “No, because it’s childish.” I retorted, “Too bad! ‘Cuz we’re doing one just like it!” And in the end, it was the doing that brought them to the dark side…

So here’s what I asked them to do:

• Pick a well-known Anglophone figure: celebrity / politician / actor / musician / fictional character / etc.
• Pretend to be the character and fill out a Facebook profile.
• Make friends: requests are made in person.  If you accept, leave your new friend a message on the wall. If you decline, let the asker know why.
• Share your profile with the class.

The writing, they didn’t like so much. But making fun of the guy that didn’t understand the “pretending to be the character” bit of the instructions, and wound up playing Eva Longoria because “she’s so sexy” – with another dude playing Tony Parker? That, they liked.  I’m now going to share with you the fruits of this labor: excerpts from my students’ Facebook profiles that had me laughing out loud while riding home on the metro.  Also, note: all errors are my students’ doing…I actually do know how to speak English.

Numero uno: Chuck Norris. Sex? Male God. Relationship Status? He don’t need it. Hometown? The world is mine.

"Chuck Norris don't need music, he create the music. You can't hit Chuck Norris. He is the champion of Karaté. Chuck Norris is Walker Texas Ranger and he hit peoples with his feet. No one can write on the wall of Chuck Norris, or he will kill you. The friends of Chuck Norris are who he want. Chuck Norris decide your life."

This charming student, when asked to describe Chuck Norris and share his profile responded with: “If I said who Chuck Norris is, Chuck Norris will kill you.” If this had been a competition, this kid wins.

The rest:

"I am a Rich Man and a Popular Person, I have a wife but I forgot her name. I live in America, everywhere because I'm RICH."

David Beckham. Relationship Status? "Married with Victoria, it's complicated because David go playin Milan AC in Italian, in January."

"My name is Wentworth Miller and I have 34 years old. I'm just registered in Facebook and I want to be your friend . I'm the celebrate characters in the serie Prison Break: Michael Scofield. I hope to find love in Facebook or other because I'm alone "

"Queen Elizabeth II. She likes Jazz and classical music. Movies / TV? Inspecteur Derrick and Barnaby. Activities: she sleeps."

As for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker? Well, Tony wrote on Eva’s wall. “I love you Babe. XD”

Je me suis rendu compte que je n’avais pas encore parlé de Basket. Alors j’ai choisi d’aller jeter un coup d’oeil à nos français exilés aux Etats-Unis pour jouer dans le meilleur championnat de Basketball, la NBA. Ils sont 10 à fouler les parquets toutes les semaines. Rapide tour d’horizon de 5 d’entre eux.

On commence par le plus connu, Tony Parker. Le Français est maintenant un élément indispensable dans le 5 de départ des Spurs. Après avoir gagné leur premier match les joueurs de San Antonio n’ont pas continué sur leur lancée. Un début de saison “en yoyo” avec 3 victoires et 3 défaites en 6 matchs. En 34 minutes jouées en moyenne par match, Tony P. inscrit 22 points en moyenne. Placés 8ème au classement de la conférence Est, les Spurs devront très vite se remettre dans le rythme de la compétition.

Ecrasés par les Boston Celtics lors de leur rentrée NBA, les Charlotte Bobcats ont arraché leur première victoire contre les Knicks de New York avant de confirmer contre New Jersey. Cependant les Bobcats sont retombés dans leurs travers. Avec 3 victoires pour 4 défaites, le bilan est très moyen. Boris Diaw, lui, inscrit en moyenne 12 points par rencontre pour 36 minutes jouées par match.

Arrivé à Chicago en 2007, Joakim Noah joue de plus en plus sur les parquets NBA. Malheureusement les Bulls ont mal commencé leur saison avec 2 défaites d’affilée. Puis, les joueurs de Chicago ont repris le rythme et ont enchainé 3 victoires. Au final, 3 défaites et 4 victoires en 7 matchs. Le jeune Français, lui, réalise de grosses performances en ce début de saison. Il joue en moyenne 30 minutes par match et inscrit 11 points en moyenne.

Depuis sa finale de Play-offs perdue, Mike Pietrus est devenue une idole à Orlando. Les Magics ont aussi pris une autre dimension. Ils ont d’ailleurs débuter leur saison sur les chapeaux de roues avec 3 victoires d’affilées avant de marquer un temps d’arrêt. En 8 matchs, le bilan est de 6 victoires et 2 défaites. Troisième de la conférence Est, on pourra sûrement compter sur Orlando pour les Play-offs. Le Français joue, en moyenne, 30 minutes par match et inscrit 10 points.

On finit à l’Est, chez Ronny Turiaf. Les Washington Wizzards ont commencé leur saison 2009/2010 par une victoire et une défaite. Début moyen donc pour le club de la capitale américaine qui a alterné le bon et le moins bon avant de plonger dans une spirale de défaites Au final, une place de 13ème de la conférence Est avec 6 défaites pour seulemet 2 victoires. De son côté, Ronny affiche des stats très moyennes. Avec 21 minutes de jouées en moyenne sur le terrain, il ne marque que 3 points par match. Saison compliquée pour Turiaf ?

Pour les 5 autres français jouant en NBA, rendez-vous la semaine prochaine !

Baptiste Morin

If NBA basketball was analogous to playing Street Fighter, the Raptors would be the dude who knows every combo, every chain, every special move in the entire game. Glaring achilles heel? Toronto is unaware there is such thing as “blocking”. Like, I’m not even talking about knowing when to block. The Raptors don’t know blocking exists. This becomes noticeable after taking 15 dragon punches to the face.

With this offensive (literally and figuratively) mentality,  The Raptors posted 124 points in regulation, shooting .592 per cent from the field and nailing 11 of 17 attempts from long distance against the Spurs on Monday. Toronto lost the game.

If you didn’t watch the game, or even if you did, read that last paragraph and try to just make sense of it with a rational basketball mind. That San Antonio — sans Tim Duncan and Tony Parker — managed to put up 131 points in regulation to walk away with a win is simply an unbelievable, untenable fact. I saw most of this crime against basketball (when I was not burying my head in my hands) and yet, my mind remains blown by what I witnessed.

Sadly, this is not an original screenplay. The Raptors again were felled by poor rebounding, poor late game execution and a porous, inexcusably awful defensive effort.

Post-game, reporters repeatedly asked Toronto Coach Jay Triano whether there was something wrong with his defensive system. How do these guys have jobs? Anybody watching could easily assess that the problem is not coaching, or  the “system” or any abstract type of “philosophy.” The Raptors, almost to a man, are poor defenders. Period.

Toronto’s NBA squad cannot close out on shooters, cannot prevent dribble penetration, cannot intimidate in the paint or meet the ball defensively at the rim. The Raptors are slow to rotate from the weak side, show far too softly on pick and roll situations and send some of the most lazy, counterproductive double-team’s and traps this side of a Teenwolf montage.

I don’t know what Triano said to his troops after this loss — but I know if Wayne Brady was coaching Toronto he’d be having to choke an awwwwful lot of bitches tonight.

No need to get into stats. No point observing how Toronto’s defence was shredded not by Manu Ginobili, but by “manu ginobili” — the Agentine’s non-explosive, non-athletic, non-foul-inducing below-the-rim doppelganger. Nor is there much purpose in noting that despite another gaudy statistical effort, Chris Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani were beasted by rookie DeJuan Blair and the cryogenically frozen body of Antonio McDyess in the decisive stretch of the fourth quarter.

No no no, all you need to do is imagine somebody playing Street Fighter who doesn’t know what blocking means. That was the Raptors tonight.

Button mashing might win you a few matches — but without knowing how to block, parry and counter, the Raptors won’t be pulling out any victories like the one below any time soon.

Even without Tim Duncan and Tony Parker the San Antonio Spurs were able to use their bench depth and dribble penetration to down the Raptors.  Defense seemed to be something everyone in the building was allergic to tonight.  Both teams put up a tonne of points and Manu Ginobli was unstoppable.  On top of which, the Raptors were manhandled on the boards and gave up a heap of second chance points.

Jose and the rest of the Toronto Perimeter could not contain San Antonio on route to a disappointing loss

Zan for Three

6th man? On what planet?

Without Duncan and Parker the Raptors really had one focus on defense tonight and it was Ginobli.  I know he’s technically a 6th man but the guy was unstoppable.  Somebody put a hand in his face, get up on him, double team the guy for goodness sakes.  He treated the Raptors perimeter defense like they were pylons and helped make the rest of the Spurs team look like magnificent.

Didn’t realize how many Hall of Famers the Spurs had

Without Duncan and Parker the Raptors decided to make Matt Bonner and George Hill look like Hall of Famers.  Seriously these guys looked like Kobe and Wade out there slahing and scoring at will.  I love the Red Rocket but he isn’t an NBA starter and the Raps made him look like Dr. J.  It was a night the Raps should have been able to shut down the Spurs, yet the defense was abysmal, and at times the game resembled the Washington Generals playing against the Globetrotters.

Give me another chance

How much did you want Reggie Evans to rip off his suit like Superman and reveal he was actually in uniform?  The guy is desperately needed right now.  The Raps couldn’t contain the Spurs inside even without Duncan. Bosh and Amir Johnson showed moments of grit and fight but this team needs to get tough in a hurry or they are going to get torched every night.

Zan of the Night

Manu was deserving and Bosh had a pretty good statistical game but let’s give it to Sonny Weems who made his Raptors debut tonight, shot 100% from the field and looked servicable.  He may be an interesting project this year.

Not Zan of the Night

Perimeter Defense

Jose picture is on on most fans’ dartboards right now but Jack, Wright and Derozan were awful as well.  Not one player could contain George Hill let alone Manu Ginobli or Richard Jefferson.  It was like watching a grade 6 team try to defend the Lakers.  Offensively this unit was productive and sound but they couldn’t buy a stop.  130pts allowed is ridiculous. You cannot win games giving up 130 points. Especially on the road.

Sadly, this is the game we’re going to look back on as the one that got away.

Bosh will have his hands full tonight with Tim Duncan

After splitting a pair in New Orleans and Dallas, the Raptors wrap up their current three-game west coast swing in San Antonio tonight against a Spurs team that’ll be without Tony Parker. Come on boys, capitalize! As always, a full preview over at Raptors Republic, where my NBA 2K10 game sim should be posted shortly.

The Spurs come in at 2-3, having lost back-to-back road games in Utah and Portland on Thursday and Friday, but I don’t think anyone is sweating it in San Antonio, because we know they’ll be there in May and June when it counts, as usual. With it being early and Parker out, the Raps actually draw the Spurs at the perfect time, with a win not out of the realm of possibility. The Raptors have actually played Tim Duncan & co. well the past few years — last season they picked up a win at the ACC sans Chris Bosh and they even escaped with a road win in ‘07-08, 83-73 in a slugfest. Don’t count on that kind of D tonight, but hey, anything can happen.

The key for Toronto, I’d say, is point guard play. Jose Calderon showed signs of coming out of his early season funk over the weekend, and he and Jarrett Jack will be counted on to jump on Parker-less Spurs, who’ll start George Hill in his absence. Post D, as usual, will be big, even with Duncan having lost an offensive step.

Anyway, how about a big road win before coming home for the Bulls and heading out west to do it again? The Raps and Spurs tip tonight at 8:30.

Watching tonight’s ESPN doubleheader, the unavoidable thought in my mind was how different the NBA would be if Carlos Boozer had stuck around in Cleveland. Booze is exactly the type of mobile scoring big man that would make LeBron even more of a monster. Imagine Boozer at the four alongside Varejeo or Big Z at the 5 depending on the matchup? Scary stuff.

Chicago at Cleveland

If I’m a Cavs fan, even though it’s only been five games into the season, I am officially very, very worried. Chicago was incredibly mediocre on both sides of the ball but because Cleveand’s offense was so inept, the Bulls ground out an ugly road win despite poor shooting and broken execution.

Charles Barkley provided some actual basketball insight in wondering why Mike Brown keeps trotting Shaq and Big Z out there at the same time. The Cavs’ twin towers have trouble guarding mobile bigs in the pick and roll and neither of them command a double team on offense. That same big lineup got burned in Toronto repeatedly as well, so what gives? In my mind, it’s the Kevin Durant phenomena — except in reverse.

Stat geeks complain about Durant’s flummoxing negative statistical effect, arguing that just because it makes sense in your mind to have your best player on the floor, it doesn’t play out that way in the science. And I use the term science loosely.

Despite perception however, the Cavs five most statistically effective players this season (by win share) have been Shaq, Big Z and Varejeo alongside Mo Williams and LeBron. If this is an experiment in trusting your number crunchers, it’ll be interesting to see how this lineup evolves as the 2009 season rolls along. Watching Taj Gibson, Brad Miller and earlier in the season, Andrea Bargnani pick apart the Cavs bigs on the PnR I can’t see Brown keeping this up much longer.

Worth noting is that in the final minutes of the game, with the decision hanging in balance, Brown went to his small lineup with LeBron at the four. Second guessing his own strategy a bit?

On the other side of the ball, the Cavs offense is just horrible. I like how people keep referring to John Kuester as Cleveland’s “offensive coordinator” for the past few years. If I was a Pistons fan, I’d have some questions. As in, like being told your family doctor is named Dr. Kevorkian questions.

Nothing has changed. Down the stretch, you could visibly see Chicago load up on LeBron waiting for him to go 1-on-5 and, unbelievably, that’s exactly what the Cavs did. A weak attempt at screen-and-roll by Varejeo gave way to four Cleveland players standing around the perimeter watching LeBron work. That just isn’t going to work; not for the past three years and not now.

Strangely enough, the Cavs lost in Chicago exactly the same way last year, except Tyrus Thomas blocked LBJ’s shot at the end of the game. Those who don’t learn from history…

San Antonio at Utah

The Spurs are old. This wouldn’t be a big deal if they didn’t also look and play their age.

Incredibly, Barkley hit the nail on the head again with this matchup: Manu Ginobili is the x-factor for the Spurs this season. The walking-bald-spot just isn’t as explosive as he used to be, unable to get to the rim and draw fouls or break his man off the dribble. Without those two essential elements, Manu is no longer an elite wing scorer. And without any scoring from the wings (speaking of which, did anyone think Richard Jefferson would be this useless?) the Spurs are done like dinner.

The Jazz on the other hand looked good, with the Williams and Boozer machine rolling like old times. AK47 didn’t do much damage and Okur looked pooped, but considering how banged up Utah’s bench is this win was definitely a big one they’ll take.

Tony Parker’s face when Pop pulled him with three minutes left in the game was pretty awesome. You could tell, down 12 points the Frenchman wanted to give it one last shot. With Portland on the sked tomorrow though, Captain Pop was having none of it. Strangely enough, when he put Duncan and Parker back in for a last minute push, he left Ginobili on the bench. Punishment for a bad shooting night perhaps? Recovering from bat-rabies?

Notes:

• Raptors fans laughed incredibly hard when the Cavs signed Jamario Moon. Now, at least once a week, a national audience will understand why. Especially John Hollinger, who for some reason constantly asked why Toronto didn’t play him more. Perhaps he can ask that question to Mike Brown, who gave Moon a DNP-CD tonight. Again.
• Taj Gibson — impressive.
• Manu Ginobili’s bald spot deserves its own jersey.
• Gregg Popovich continues to defend his title as “worst interview in the history of sports television.”

Eva Longoria loves being tied up during sex.The ‘Desperate Housewives’ beauty – who is engaged to basketball star Tony Parker – enjoys being dominated in the bedroom. She revealed to Live magazine’s Louise Gannon: “I’m not averse to being tied up in silk scarves. I like a man to take charge. There’s something very sexy about being submissive.”

I must admit I’ve been quite baffled by the way Rajon Rondo’s future with the Celtics has been debated and questioned over the past six months. After the way he performed in the playoffs, when he was, without question, Boston’s best player when they pushed the eventual Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic to seven games (without Kevin Garnett), it looked like the 23-year-old point guard was becoming the face of the team, and the man who would become the team’s best player in the coming years as he became this generations Jason Kidd, with his incredible ability to churn out triple-doubles (after averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the playoffs).

But then, bizarrely, Rondo’s name began being bandied about in trade rumors, and there were questions about whether or not he would be signed to a contract extension by tonight’s midnight deadline, or else he would become a restricted free agent as part of next summer’s free agency bonanza. A quick look at the list of point guards in the NBA, however, proves that Rondo is more than deserving of the five-year, $55 million contract extension he agreed to with the Celtics earlier today, a contract that locks him in as the franchise’s headlining young player.

Outside of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, is there another point guard better than Rondo in the NBA? Is there another point guard, based on talent alone, besides those two that the Celtics would swap him for right now? Gilbert Arenas has plenty of talent, as we know, but he’s also had plenty of injuries and has never won anything. Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash and Kidd all have had brilliant careers, but clearly are on the downside. And he’s a more complete player (especially on the defensive end) than other “top” point guards like Tony Parker and Mo Williams.

So then, the obvious question is why would the Celtics look to make something happen with Rondo? There have been plenty of rumors about maturity issues with Rondo, but he still is only 23 years old, despite his now lengthy time in the league, and he’s already been the point guard on a championship team – something that only a few point guards in the league today (Parker and Billups, among the top players at the position) can say about themselves.

In the end, it wasn’t much of a choice for Danny Ainge, the man who has constructed this current version of Celtics. He had to have Rondo, had to keep him in the fold. There may be risks in signing a player you have maturity questions about to a massive, top-level contract like the deal Ainge gave his young point guard today. But there are bigger risks in the world than that. One of them is letting one of the most unique talents in the league at one of the hardest positions to fill walk away at the age of 23 because you’d like him to be a little more mature.

Maturity can be coached, can be learned, can be taught. But Rajon Rondo’s skill set is as unique as anyone’s in the NBA not named LeBron. And, in the end, the allure of keeping that talent in Celtic green was too much for Danny Ainge to pass up.

Somehow a Bat was flying inside the San Antonio arena on Halloween and terrorizing the Basketball game.  The Spurs own Manu Ginobili took matters into his own hands watch the video.

The odds in Las Vegas are in the Lakers favor to repeat as NBA Champions in 2010. What’s not to love? The Lakers bring back everyone and swap out Trevor Ariza for the more talented Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant doesn’t want to stop winning, and you could see that in his face Tuesday night when he got his ring. Yes, Bryant was happy, but he wants more, he’s far from content with four championship rings and that’s why Bryant is so great.

If the Lakers are in fact going to win the title, they’re going to have to beat some really great teams, I don’t think it’s going to be easy and that’s why I don’t think the Lakers will repeat as NBA Champions. If you want know who will win the NBA title in 2010, then you better read the predictions after the jump.

Sorry Pau, but you will not be getting your second ring next summer.

Just in case you’re not caught up:

Read my Eastern Conference and Western Conference previews.

Western Conference Finals

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers

By the time March rolls around, I think it will be clear to most people that this will be the Western Conference Finals matchup come May. The Lakers and the Spurs have had some classic battles throughout the years, and this one could be the best yet.

The Lakers are loaded, but the Spurs just re-loaded. The addition of Richard Jefferson gives the team so much more flexibility in their offense, and it will help even out the fact that the Lakers have both Artest and Bryant to guard a team’s best wing player. Ginobili and Jefferson won’t put up the points like Kobe, and Artest will be able to frustrate either, but they’ll both be able to produce. As for Tony Parker, he will be more than capable of giving Derek Fisher fits on the offensive end.

The Lakers are able to kill teams down low with players like Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and most notably Pau Gasol. With Tim Duncan, Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff, the Spurs have the size and quality defenders to contain all three of those players down low and keep rebounds on the Spurs side, especially with the addition of the already impressive rookie DeJaun Blair. In addition to the big men down low, Spurs center Matt Bonner will be able to stretch the floor with his effective three-point shooting.

This matchup is pretty even, but I think the Spurs are better defensively, have a better bench and are more disciplined each game than the Lakers are.

When the Lakers made it to the NBA Finals last year, they were on their game, but before that, they took nights off. The Spurs don’t take nights off, and it’s harder to repeat as champion then come back a couple years later. The Spurs are due for one more title, and if they stay healthy, they should be able to take the Lakers out in this matchup and get one more shot in the NBA Finals.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think anyone on the planet is a better basketball player than Bryant, but I think Duncan is close. I also think that if you look at the Spurs’ roster, guys like McDyess and Ratliff are dying to win NBA titles, and they’re going to play their hearts out knowing it may be their last shot. It’s going to be extremely close, but in the end, I think the Spurs will edge the Lakers.

Spurs in 7

Eastern Conference Finals

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James is the best player in this series, but the better overall team is obviously Boston.

Rajon Rondo is a better point guard than Mo Williams, by quite a bit too. Ray Allen is also better shooting guard than Anthony Parker, or Delonte West if he ever comes around.

The Cavaliers don’t have much of a bench and by the time May comes around the Celtics should have Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, Eddie House, Marquis Daniels, Shelden Williams and Tony Allen. The Celtics have options in their depth and they have plenty of size, along with quality defensive and offensive options. The Celtics are crazy, crazy deep. Cleveland is just not that loaded, and unless they make a trade mid-season, they’re going to have problems keeping up with the Celtics depth and versatility, just like they did with Orland last season.

The combination of Kevin Garnett and Wallace is enough to frustrate anything the Cavaliers can throw at them, on both ends of the floor. Plus, with Kendrick Perkins and Davis, it’s just more bodies to throw at Shaquille O’Neal, who won’t dominate in the series at age 38, by the time May 2010 arrives. Andersen Varejao cannot stop Garnett or Wallace, and he’ll also have problems with Davis, his flopping won’t work in this series, Boston is too tough.

Paul Pierce is a good enough defender to pace James, but more importantly, he’ll make LeBron work on the other end of the floor. The Celtics, in the end will be too much for LeBron and the Cavs. Even with the Diesel there, there just isn’t enough in Cleveland to help LeBron pass this very deep Boston team.

Celtics in 6

NBA Finals

Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs

It’s clear that both of these teams are deep, from their starters, to their benches, each team is filled with talent. They’re also two of the league’s best teams defensively.

Where Rasheed Wallace is a difference maker in a series against the Cavs, he won’t be as important in a series against San Antonio. Yes, Wallace guards Duncan better than anybody, but he will also have to worry about McDyess, who will for sure remember how Wallace had played lackadaisical during those years they spent together in Detroit–which wound up costing McDyess a couple quality shots a ring. Wallace loses focus and can kill a team just as fast as he can help them, the Spurs don’t have to worry about those problems.

Duncan has always been better than Garnett, and as both players are aging, Duncan still has the edge on him. Garnett is aging much faster than Duncan at this point, and Duncan has always been more clutch and more deadly in the playoffs, nothing has changed, even with his aged. Duncan has always managed to put up bigger numbers in the playoffs than he has in the regular season, or at least over the past five or six years. When Duncan is in the playoffs, he’s another animal, and when the Spurs are healthy, it only makes him more dangerous. Also, keep in mind that Duncan hasn’t had a frontcourt player as talented as McDyess next to him since David Robinson, and you can add the young Blair to that mix.

Both teams have size, both teams have great benches, both teams have shooters.

The difference in this series will come down to composure and coaching, and the Spurs will have the edge in both departments. Both teams are hungry and want to prove that injuries were the reason neither made the finals last year. The pride will be there all series, but coaching is obviously on the Spurs side and that is why they will win this series.

The Spurs know they need to win now, and Duncan has never lost in an NBA Finals in four tries. He won’t lose in his fifth attempt either.

Spurs in 6

2010 NBA CHAMPIONS: San Antonio Spurs

By Justin Cherot

Time to buckle down and finish these previews. Photo by Justin Cherot.

Admittedly, I need to take a headline writing course.  More importantly, I needed someone (cough, Colin, and by the way, you need to stop doing ’shrooms) to kick me in the head a couple of times and remind me that trying to do 30 previews player-by-player, while cool and original, just doesn’t fit into any normal, 40-hours-a-week person’s schedule.  While I did better than I did my first time trying this in 2006, I couldn’t even fit one measely playoff team into my previews.  For that, I apologize.  Oh well, live and learn.  Next year I promise to do better.

But, for now, we’re less than 20 hours away from a Washington Wizards’ ass-kicking (Go Mavs!), meaning I have to get these done in a timely manner.  This is what I propose: instead of over-analyzing the remaining 300 or so players I haven’t mentioned yet (apologies to J.J. Redick, J.J Barea, Daequan Cook and plenty of other non-starters I won’t have time to go into), I’ll give you the most important player (MIP) from all the remaining teams and why they fit into such a category.  Inevitably, some will be the “duh, even my daughter knows that this guy is the star of the team” players, and some will be those unsung guys whose team’s success hinges on whether or not they produce on a nightly basis.

So, for one last time, let’s ride.  After the next 2000 or so words, these NBA previews will no longer hold me hostage.  Now, where was I?

20. Memphis Grizzlies

MIP: Rudy Gay

If this team truly wants to take the next step from hype machine to legitimate playoff contender, Gay needs to take the reins of this team.  Yeah, O.J. Mayo , Zach Randolph  and boom or bust free agent pick-up Allen Iverson all need more attention (and shots) than him, but Gay, talent-wise, is the best and most versatile of this bunch.  His assertiveness has been in question before, ultimately costing him a national championship at UConn, but if he can step in and be more of a leader on the court, this team is too talented not to contend for a playoff spot.  The pieces are there, but like a trippy Dora the Explorer puzzle that seems like one thing until a shimmer of light hits it and then it looks completely different (not speaking from experience or anything), sometimes the pieces can be hard to put together… so hard in fact that sometimes they just refuse to fit.

19. Detroit Pistons   

MIP: Tayshaun Prince

On a team full of “get mine” guys–Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton, Charlie “NitTwit” Villanueva and Will Bynum, to name a few– Prince just needs to keep being that versatile, lockdown defender he’s always been.  Yes, the faces are new and more offensive-minded, but Prince just has to be there to remind them that, contrary to popular belief over the past few years, there is still a “D” somewhere in Detroit.  If he can’t, it’ll be this simple: Etroit will miss the playoffs.

18. Philadelphia 76ers

MIP: Lou Williams

The Sixers have a very nice core, headlined by Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, who I think is finally due for a relevant season after two seasons of nothingness.  However, the Sixers’ biggest move was letting Andre Miller walk without getting a true point guard to fill his shoes.  Williams is going to try his hand at the spot, but let’s face it: he’s definitely a two.  Coming from someone who had to do it at the high school level, trust me: it sounds easy to “learn” how to play the point, but guards are pretty much born into a position.  How he handles the transition from one to two is ultimately going to tell the story of whether or not Philly makes the playoffs.  And, as of right now, I just don’t see him doing well in this crash course, even if he does have Eddie Jordan pulling the strings for him.

17. New Orleans Hornets

MIP: Chris Paul

Denver Nuggets’ fans should be horrified right now.  Bill Simmons (book out tomorrow, a must-buy) wrote in his NBA previews (Part I here and Part II here) that the Nuggets were this year’s ”Last Season Everything Went Right; This Season Everything Went Wrong” Team.  Last year’s version?  The Hornets.  I knew it would happen, I even wrote it.  In my own words, in ‘07-’08 everyone except for CP3 played way above their heads.  Last season, everybody came back down to earth and they fell all the way to the seventh spot.  Paul needs to basically carry this team just for them to sneak into the playoffs this year, and he will do his best to urge this squad with questionable talent into doing big things.  Unfortunately, with the next team on the come-up, I just can’t see that happening.  But Paul will make it interesting into the final week of the season.

16. Los Angeles Clippers

MIP: Baron Davis

Does anybody remember this Baron Davis:

Funny, because if you’re a Clipper fan you hardly saw any of this last year.  Was it the injuries?  Was it his conditioning?  Was it his overall indifference because he felt betrayed by Elton Brand who, allegedly, begged him to come, only to sign with the Sixers?  Who knows?  What I do know is that apparently he’s in muuuuuuch better shape coming into this season, and I feel like the Davis of old will be back.  On paper, this roster suits his style of play perfectly, with high-flyers in Blake Griffin (when he comes back from a broken knee cap, of course) and Al Thornton and a young, budding backcourt-mate in Eric Gordon.  Guys, if Davis can stay healthy and on the court for 70, this is a playoff team.

15. Toronto Raptors

MIP: Chris Bosh

The rumors are swirling about where Bosh is going to be next season.  Fine.  That’s next season.  This season, the Raptors have a playoff roster on paper.  There’s no questioning CB4’s talent, but his gusto may eventually come into question (yeah, I went there, Chris Rock fans), especially if the Raptors come out of the gates slow.  However, as mentioned before, Bosh has plenty of talent around him.  The Hedo Turkoglu signing/Portland Trailblazer screwing takes a lot of pressure off of him, and it never hurts to have a pass- first point guard (Jose Calderon) and an emerging big guy who’s showing signs of “getting it” (Andrea Bargnani).  The Raptors probably don’t have enough talent in the long run to keep Bosh in cold Canada, but his last run with them should find them in the playoffs.

14. Miami Heat

MIP: Michael Beasley 

Side note before I get into Mr. “Be Easy” himself: the East has really closed the gap.  Hard to believe I have the Heat this low.  Anyway, we all know about Beasley’s off-the-court “stuff”, and anyone who knows me knows that it’s not that hard for me to relate to the troubled guys.  It’s all about getting past it, though.  If anything, Beasley needs to use the court as an outlet, because his team is going to need him to play like a No. 2 overall pick.  They already have arguably (it would be quite an argument but the point could be made) the best player in the NBA in Dwyane Wade and some good young p… okay, I won’t sugarcoat it: Miami is this high strictly because of Wade’s ability to flat-out bring it every night.  He just needs someone to bring it with him.  Beasley can definitely be that guy.  Or, he can just be satisfied with being the second coming of Derrick Coleman.

13. Washington Wizards

MIP: Gilbert Arenas

Okay, we all drank the “Wizards Are Better Off Without Hibachi” juice.  And then last year happened.  Granted, he wasn’t the entire reason they couldn’t even crack 20 wins last season, but needless to say he had a ton to do with it.  I’ve read so many “Gilbert Looking Good” stories this past summer and off-season that I think I’m about to vomit, but I do admit that his highlights throughout the pre-season have been promising.  It goes beyond numbers, though.  Even for a team that doesn’t lack swagger–hell, their second best player, Caron Butler, calls himself “Tuff Juice” for crying out loud–they need his “swagger on a hundred, thousand, trillion” voice out on the floor and in the locker room to succeed.  With their off-season improvements, I have them pegged as the East’s sixth seed right now (defense is a MF), but really the sky is the limit for this team if Gilbert really is the old Gilbert.

12. Chicago Bulls

MIP: Luol Deng

Gordon is gone from this bunch, so the Bulls will have to find someone to take and make all those big-time shots at the end of games.  It’s assumed that Derrick Rose is the guy who’ll step up and have the ball in his hands down the stretch, but he can’t do it all.  Somehow, the Bulls have to replace his 20 a game, and Deng is the likely candidate to put the biggest dent in that 20, if not go for 20 himself.  If he can return to ‘06-’07 form, then the Bulls may not even miss Gordon all that much (especially with new acquisition Jannero Pargo trying to actually BE Ben Gordon down the stretch of ball games).  It’ll be interesting to see if this young, talented bunch takes the next step… or if it remains stagnant like the old Baby Bulls (when Gordon and Kirk Hinrich and were considered young).

11. Phoenix Suns

MIP: Jason Richardson

Steve Nash has become one of the better facilitators in NBA history.  But his defense is non-existent.  Prior to the eye injury, Amare Stoudemire added a damn near automatic mid-range jump shot to his stellar athleticism.  But his defense is non-existent.  Neither player has ever been known for his great work on the “other” end.  But Richardson has.  In college, he was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season.  With his great scoring numbers in the league, we forget that Richardson was at one time a really good defender.  Especially with Raja Bell gone, the Suns need him to re-capture that defensive energy while still maintaining his offensive output in order to compete in the West.  That’s a tall order for him, but he’s shown in the past he’s up to the task.

10. Utah Jazz

MIP: Andrei Kirilenko

It was only a couple of years ago when AK47 put up these numbers: 15.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.2 bpg, 1.5 spg.  That’s disgusting.  In his defense, how do you even go up from there?  While it’s true he never really found out for whatever reason, he really only needs to be a shade of his former self for the Jazz to get back into serious contention.  With second best point guard in the world Deron Williams running the show and Carlos Boozer (for now) holding the fort down inside, Kirilenko doesn’t even need to average double-digits.  If he just gets back to being that all-over-the-place player that made Jazz fans fall in love with him, then the Jazz could be really good.  However, if he reverts back to the “I Can’t Even Beat Out C.J. Miles” Kirilenko, then the Jazz might be in danger of missing the playoffs.  My guess is that they’ll be somewhere in between.

9. Atlanta Hawks

MIP: Jamal Crawford

One day when she’s old and wise, Cadence will use this gem to describe the intracacies of life to her kids and grandchildren: “Life is like a Jamal Crawford: you never know what you’re gonna get.”  Corny, probably, but oh so true.  How come a guy who can just go off for 50 at the drop of a hat has only averaged over 20 ppg once?  Weird.  Nonetheless, he can definitely help the Hawks take that next step.  Last year in the playoffs, it was clear that it was Joe Johnson or bust down the stretch.  Now, Atlanta has one of the best “give me the ^%$#in’ ball” players in the NBA to go along with a young and versatile front line in Crawford.  They can’t beat any of the East’s Big 3 yet, but their time will come.

8. Portland Trailblazers

MIP: Greg Oden  

Through all the injuries, all the foul trouble (3.9 per game is just an amazing number), all the columnist nit-picking, everything… Oden put up nine and seven last season while blocking a shot a night.  Off the bench.  Translation: at his absolute worst he’s better than a lot of centers in the league.  But, if the Blazers want to take the next step, it mainly falls on Oden to take the next step.  Brandon Roy is already there, becoming a much better NBA player than anybody thought he ever would, so what’s stopping Oden?  I know this team is still young, but with that whole low-salary cap threatening to happen, this almost seems like a make or break year for this squad.  And Oden.

7. Denver Nuggets

MIP: J.R. Smith

What I’m about to say is bold and controversial: Smith, talent-wise, is one of the top 10 offensive players in the NBA.  Why he hasn’t put it all together yet remains a mystery to me, but he may very well be my favorite player in the NBA to watch when he’s not playing the Mavericks.  He’s not off to the greatest of starts to this campaign, as he’ll be watching the first seven games in NBA dress code-friendly attire due to off-the-court problems.  The Nuggets need Smith to take pressure off of Carmelo Anthony, especially with Chauncey Billups not getting any younger.  Given that Smith starts the season on the bench and the Nuggets pretty much stood pat in the off-season, it’s safe for me to say that the Nuggs take a step back this season.

6. Dallas Mavericks

MIP: Dirk Nowitzki

You know, I think at some point tomorrow on my site I might publish a Long and Drawn Out Preview for the Mavs since they’re my favorite team and all, but that’s neither here nor there for right now (potential H1N1 cough, GO MAVS!!!!!!).  Look, I can take a few angles here in terms of MIP.  Josh Howard needs to get healthy (okay, so much for that in the near future); Shawn Marion needs to learn to fit in; Jason Kidd needs to find SOME way to be effective on the defensive end.  Truthfully, it starts and ends with Dirk.  He’s been great for both the Dallas franchise and the community and is a surefire Hall of Famer, but let’s face it: his leadership skills always come under fire, and fair or not, he needs to constantly play with that “now or never” mentality, because that’s what it’s come down to.  People are saying the window of opportunity for a title is closed.  If it’s open at all, he needs to jam his pinky in there and push up with all his might.

5. Boston Celtics

MIP: Kevin Garnett

Garnett is the archetypical MIP.  When they won the title, it was because of Garnett’s production and toughness.  When they flamed out against Orlando while an injured Garnett continually cursed up a storm to himself on the bench, it was because they missed Garnett’s production and toughness.  Theoretically, it would be nice if the old KG re-emerged and put up redonkulous numbers across the board, but, now that the Celts have Rasheed Wallace to spell him, they just need his intensity.  He’s the one who pushes Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.  However, because I’m not completely sold on Garnett’s health, I just can’t have them higher than 3rd in the East right now.

4. San Antonio Spurs

MIP: Manu Ginobili

If you really think that Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are the most important Spurs, than you obviously missed the Mavericks dismantling the San Antonio in the playoffs last season.  Even as a diehard Mavs’ fan I can admit that Dallas goes from winning that series in five to losing that series in six if Ginobili is on the floor.  He’s not their best player, but he’s their sparkplug, their wildcard who can change a game at the drop of a dime.  He’s getting up there in age and he’s probably not as athletic as he was a few years ago, but if I was playing in a game where my life depended on the outcome, I’d want Ginobili.  As far as the Spurs go, I like their off-season moves, but please don’t try to sell me on Richard Jefferson as being anything more than the 4th option on offense in crunch time.  15 a game is his absolute ceiling this season.  PROP BET ALERT!!!  PROP BET ALERT!!!  I’ll take Anthony Morrow’s average over RJ this year.  Bet me, stupid.

3. Orlando Magic

MIP: Vince Carter

I wanted to put them back in the Finals soooo bad, because on paper they are 1) more fun to watch then the Cavalier’s stagnant 1-4 offense, and 2) Carter/Kobe to me is a more intriguing Finals match-up.  But, I digress.  Pundits give the Carter acquisition mixed reviews, but I’m definitely pro-Carter.  First off, he’s a million times better than Turkoglu, so he’s an upgrade.  Second, he’s playing in his home state for the first time ever, and third, while homecomings can be rough (see, Griffey, Jr., Ken and Marbury, Stephon) he’s going to a great situation where, for once, it doesn’t neccesarily have to be all about him.  He’s got the best center in the NBA (Dwight Howard), one of the best perimeter shooters (Rashard Lewis) and a guy he can share hair tips with (Marcin “Give Us Us Free” Gortat).  However, it’s a team better built for the regular season, and I think someone gets some revenge, and that person would be…

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

MIP: LeBron James

Colin… shut up and watch the greatness…

Unfortunately, much to your delight, I do not have that greatness translating into a title for Cleveland.  Good supporting cast at the guard spots (Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Delonte West), bodies down low (Shaquille O’Neal, Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas) to stop Bynum and Gasol… but in the end, there’s really only…

1. Los Angeles Lakers

MIP: Kobe Bryant

True, Ron Artest is the biggest wildcard in the history of wildcards, the equivalent of AK vs. pocket 7s for every last dollar you own.  However, if anyone can tame the volatile Artest, it’s Bryant.  Say what you will about Bryant’s mileage, but at 31, he’s still got at least three more years of top five in the league-type play left in him.  That, plus the fact that he’s got arguably the best four man in the league in Pau Gasol and a steady cast of characters off the bench that just keep coming at you in waves, and what does that equal? 

Repeat.

BASKETBALL IS BACK, BABY!!!!!!

NBA Preview Archives

30. Sacramento Kings

29. New Jersey Nets

28. Milwaukee Bucks

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

26. New York Knicks

25. Oklahoma City Thunder

24. Houston Rockets

23. Charlotte Bobcats

22. Indiana Pacers

21. Golden State Warriors

NBA 2009-2010 Preview

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Divison

1. Boston Celtics
The storyline for this past NBA offseason was that the rich got richer.  This applies most for the Boston Celtics.  Two years ago, they added forward Kevin Garnett and guard Ray Allen.  This year, they added forwards Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels.  It’s very likely that this team gets off to a red-hot start, but I’m curious to see how this aging group progresses over the duration of the season.  Most of  the basketball world is also engrossed in seeing how disgruntled point guard Rajon Rondo performs in the wake of a summer where he was the focal point in many trade rumors.

2. Toronto Raptors
Chris Bosh bulked up this offseason.  That was only four years overdue.  They signed Hedo Turkoglu to a major contract.  That was a pretty solid move if you want to spend all your money on someone who can do nothing but shoot from the outside.  The worst part about it is, he knows he can’t do anything other than shoot from the outside.  He doesn’t try to do anything other than shoot from the outside.  This team is a mess.  Chris Bosh is on his way out after this year.  The only thing keeping them in the playoff picture is the thought that maybe they can conjure up some chemistry courtesy of underrated, yet spectacular point guard Jose Calderon

3. New York Knicks
The Knicks could very well be much higher than I have listed them when playoff time rolls around.  They’ve put together a solid core of role players and, with the exception of the male version of Aretha Franklin, Eddy Curry, all have accepted their position in Mike D’Antoni’s offense.  Forward Al Harrington is capable of going off for thirty points a night.  Center David Lee is looking to prove his worth as a consistent double-double threat.  There’s no reason for this team to tank, seeing as they don’t have a first round pick next summer.  Oh.  And they want to give that LeBron guy a reason to sign with them.

4. Philadelphia 76ers
This team is flying under the radar for the 2009-10 season.  Clearly, I don’t expect much out of them.  Most other analysts don’t expect much out of them; however, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they somehow ended up in the playoff picture.  They lost point guard Andre Miller to free agency, but if this team can stay healthy (particularly the richest bed-ridden man in America, Elton Brand), the Sixers could turn some heads.

5. New Jersey Nets
Did anyone know that in order to relocate your team, you must dispose of all its talent?  I didn’t, but apparently that’s the Nets’ mentality.  Their move to Brooklyn has been impending for four years now, and each year since then, they’ve gotten progressively worse.  The only names that stand out on this team anymore are Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, and those two are hardly recognized outside of die-hard basketball fans.

Central Division

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The big news out of Cleveland this year came when the Cavs traded for “The Big Nomad,” Shaquille O’Neal.  In his initial press conference, he told the media his mission was to “Win a ring for the King,” however; LeBron James’ newfound help may come in the form of other acquisitions such as forwards JaMario Moon and Anthony Parker.  It was clear to see that this team underachieved last postseason.  This year, they’ll be on top of the Eastern Conference in the regular season, and may even possibly get the King his first ring.

2. Chicago Bulls
No one imagined the Bulls would be as good as they were last year.  Mid-season, they acquired guard John Salmons, who proved himself to be a bona fide scorer on a young, dynamic team.  This past summer, they didn’t do much to develop their team; in fact, they did nearly nothing at all other than refuse to resign guard Ben Gordon.  In not offering Gordon a contract, the Bulls assume they will improve their team chemistry as Gordon required at least twenty-five shots per game in order to be considered effective.

3. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons made some of the most useless moves professional basketball has ever seen this past season.  They spent $94 million on two guys (Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva) who are both sixth and seventh men, at best.  They freed up all their salary cap space last season by dumping their undisputed leader, Chauncey Billups, last season, and in return, all they got were two selfish, shoot-first role players.  The Pistons, like their city of origin, are a mess.

4. Indiana Pacers
This Pacer team will be dynamic.  They’ll score 120 points per night.  They’ll contend for a title.  They just won’t do it this year.  Their front office, headed by Larry Bird, is finally putting all the pieces in place.  They have a solid core of young athletes, and eventually, will be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.  Let’s just hope none of their players get too fed up with losing and become impatient too soon, because this team will, in time, be very fun to watch.

5. Milwaukee Bucks
Their uniforms are just as ugly as their team’s chances to win twenty games

Southeast Division

1. Orlando Magic
Last season, the Magic surprised many people.  They had effective three-point shooting, devastating defenders, and a tempo that was hard to match.  When they faced the Lakers in June, however, it was apparent that they were missing a piece or two.  Whatever they lacked last season, they picked up for this season, as they traded for all-star forward Vince Carter.  Carter is someone who has always possessed the ability to create his own shot.  It will be interesting to see how he fits in, seeing as he’s never played on a team of this caliber.

2. Washington Wizards
In simple terms, the Wizards were forgotten about last season.  They were plagued by misfortunes and look to regain the success they had two seasons ago when they lost to Cleveland in the conference semi-finals.  With a healthy Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, Washington could find itself deep into the playoffs once again.  The additions of pure point guard Randy Foye and sharp shooter Mike Miller from Minnesota don’t hurt either.

3. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have improved every year since they hired head coach Mike Woodson.  This year should be no different; however, since they’re playing in a much more competitive Southeast Division, it will be difficult for them to repeat their past successes.  Look for forward Josh Smith to be a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award and his frontcourt mate Marvin Williams to contend for Most Improved.

4. Miami Heat
The Miami Wades were the most predictable team in the league last year.  Either their stellar shooting guard went for thirty points or they lost.  Look for them to continue that trend as they did nothing to change their team this summer.  If once impressive forward Jermaine O’Neal can get his act together, and sophomore Michael Beasley can successfully return from his recent stint in drug rehabilitation, this team may overachieve.  Either way, it’s not likely Dwyane Wade is in the black and red of Miami past this season.

5. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats missed their calling when they refused to sign Allen Iverson.  AI could have been the answer, no pun intended, to Charlotte’s problems.  Iverson has already had experience with head coach Larry Brown, and, in spite of their past problems, the former all-star is now more mature and willing to sacrifice in order to see his first championship.  Regardless, the Bobcats traded center Emeka Okafor, who simply did not fit into their offensive scheme, for the more versatile Tyson Chandler.  This team is very capable of a playoff push late into the season.

Western Conference

Northwest Division

1. Utah Jazz:
Utah is one of the most underrated teams in the NBA. Deron Williams led them to a respctable 48-34, but they’ve only grown since. Williams, along with Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur form a very powerful offense. Even if Carlos Boozer isn’t interested in playing, they an be successful without him. The big upside is, however, that Boozer is interested in signing somewhere, so when he plays he will do well.

2. Denver Nuggets
Last year, Carmelo Anthony put his name int a conversation that included LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Oh how quickly we forget. ‘Mello will definately be in the mix again this season, but we aren;t sure if the Nuggets got much better. Chauncey Billups and K-Mart add depth to that scoring. There are just too many teams growing where Denver isn’t… And that’s why they’ll lose their hold on the number one spot.

3. Portland Trailblazers
Even if last year was considered a dissappointment, it was a stepping stone. Their very young lineup learned what it’s like to win. The Trailblazers added Andre Miller to the LaMarcus Aldridge/Brandon Roy combination. That move alone could put the Blazers in contention. Add that to a healthy and more agressive Greg Odom, and Portland is starting to look like a team. Put Odom on your list for most improved player this season.

4. Oaklahoma City Thunder
Oaklahoma City has done well considering their situation. However, they are young and inexperienced. Kevin Durant puts on a good show for fans every night, and rookie James Harden has all the potential in the world. If they keep improving, they may even mae the playoffs in a year or two. Look for the Thunder to keep it exciting this year – they will be that “close but no cigar” team all season.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves
If their offseason was any indication, Minnesota isn’t going far. Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington may pan out in the long run but it’s hard to see anything but big names with no chemistry. The Ricky Rubio disaster is just a distraction for fans. There is some hope – picking up Ramon Sessions was a definate upgrade.

Southwest Division

1. San Antonio Spurs:
San Antonio needed to add a missing piece. Antonio McDyess needed a place to land. Both got a big break. Getting McDyess to compliment Tony Parker was a great idea. DeJuan Blair was a bad pickup, and he won’t have enough playing time to even matter. Parker, Tim Duncan, and Richard Jefferson are going to prove that they have this team in their hands… Especially because they may only have a year or two to do it.

2. New Orleans Hornets:
Chris Paul is a one-ma recking crew, and he alone can make or break the Hornets.  CP3 is the best point guard in the league, but it’s just not enough to win a championship. Paul won’t benefit from losing his better half in Tyson Chandler, but someone in the front office must like Emeka Okafor. If Okafor is a bust, Paul still has David West to dish off to. Even with the miscues built in, New Orleans is still ahead of most in the Southwest division.

3. Dallas Mavericks:
With the baby momma problems behind him, Dirk Nowitzki is in the spot light. Ultimately, his successes will make the Mavericks great again. Jason Kidd is too old to be considered a factor, but that difference can be made up if Josh Howard steps up his game from last year. Drew Gooden and Shawn Marion make excellent additions, but the Mavs will still be perennial underachievers. Maybe this year someone will duct tape Mark Cuban’s mouth shut.

4. Houston Rockets:
Houston just doesn’t have what it takes. Adding Trevor Ariza was a good start, but he can only do so much for a team that needs so much more help. And don’t be mistaken, he is not a number one scoring machine. Yao Ming is still out, and Tracy McGrady begins this year injured, so as of right now there’s not one player who averaged over 15 points per game last season.

5. Memphis Grizzlies
Mephis sis the most to assure that they would be competitive this seasn, but they ended up with too big of a personality pool. The Allen Iverson experiment should be the least of their concerns. OJ Mayo is explosive, but not mature enough to run a team, and Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph are way to inconsistant to help out. Don’t be fooled into thinking Hasheem Thabeet is the answer… He isn’t designed for offense at all.

Pacific Division

1. L.A. Lakers:
You want to know how good the Lakers are? Just look at their starting five. Derek Fischer, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and new aquisition Ron Artest may be the best lineup in the league. They are so good, they have Lamar Odom on the bench! The 2009 champions aren’t relying on Kobe anymore; instead they are giving him many more options. In such a lame division, the Lakers take it easily.

2. Phoenix Suns:
The Suns showed some signs of life towards the end of last year, but they lost Shaq in the offseason. As much as he horses around, Shaq is an important part of play on both sides of the ball. Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire will continue to be a great duo, but outside of them the team looks bleak. Grant Hill is aging, and this year he may start showing it. They did muster the number one offense in the league, so they cant be that bad can they? Just good enough for second place.

3. Golden State Warriors:
Out of the three bottom feeding teams in this division, the Warriors have the most room to grow. Their lineup is young and now supplemented with Stephen Curry. The key is getting the kids to grow up together, instead of in their own seperate ways. They do have the potential to put up some poins, but defense will kill them in the end.

4. L.A. Clippers:
Blake Griffen won’t fix this team, but he sure can try. Behind Eric Gordon and Al Thornton, the Clippers offense seems recharged. Griffen should help them capitalize on those missed shots. This season will be a success if they hit 30 wins.

5. Sacremento Kings:
Yes, they drafted well. But the Kings needed more thank Tyreke Evans to make themselves a contender. Evans and Kevin Martin still won’t let the Kings be better than mediocre.

The editors at  Jerrybrice’s Blog,would like to know…Which one of these celebrities do you like better…actor Evan Ross, son of Diana Ross, or NBA basketball star, and husband to actress Eva Longoria Parker, Tony Parker?

Write a comment on your choice, and let us know who you prefer.I think both the guys are great, but I am not a woman, so I would not know.

I can offer up an opinion about their choice in women…but I will not say.

Tony Parker-

Evan Ross-

So the teams have been drafted for the 2009-2010 Fantasy Draft and here are the rosters.

The Teams:

The Custodian:

The Custodian expects LBJ23 to produce this season, will he? probably. Will the guy on his team watching him produce? probably not.

• Steve Nash
• Kevin Durant
• Joe Johnson
• LeBron James
• Pau Gasol
• Al Jefferson
• Brook Lopez
• Elton Brand
• Devin Harris
• Gerald Wallace
• Josh Smith
• OJ Mayo
• Mo Williams

The Franchise:

The Franchise followed the book and took Chris Paul with the #1 pick.

• Chris Paul
• Brandon Roy
• Chauncey Billups
• Carmelo Anthony
• Dirk Nowitzki
• Tim Duncan
• LaMarcus Aldridge
• Carlos Boozer
• Paul Pierce
• Caron Butler
• Rudy Gay
• Tony Parker
• Blake Griffin

The Freelancer:

Will Dwayne Wade bring victory to the Freelancer?

• Dwayne Wade
• Danny Granger
• Andre Iguodala
• Antawn Jamison
• Chris Bosh
• Kevin Garnett
• Troy Murphy
• Mehmet Okur
• Gilbert Arenas
• Rashard Lewis
• Shawn Marion
• Ray Allen
• Nene

The Champ (Pippen Ain’t Easy)

Kobe Bryant leads a stellar squad of studs which almost certainly ensures victory for the Champ

• Deron Williams
• Kobe Bryant
• Kevin Martin
• Vince Carter
• Amar’e Stoudemire
• David West
• Dwight Howard
• David Lee
• Jose Calderon
• Derrick Rose
• Hedo Turkoglu
• Jason Kidd
• Allen Iverson

Hollaatyourgirl.com reports:

Posh & Becks must have been busy!!

London Fog have just signed Eva Longoria and hubby Tony Parker, to be the faces for their new ad campaign, and ordered [well, I'm sure she volunteered] Eva to strip down to her birthday suit!

The Desperate Housewife and her toy boy do look cute, and the shots were tastefully done I suppose, so no inserts of dissin’ here. Although, aint it about time these two went halves on a baby? I’m just saying.

One more for ya…