Are you in the game?!

After an exciting race for the NBA 2008 Most Valuable Player, Kobe Bryant ends up with the precious recognition. It took 12 season before the “Black Mamba” gained the official MVP title.

No doubt, Bryant deserved it this year. He is having an exceptional season. This year, Kobe was not just a showman in the court, he evolved into a matured leader for the Lakers and this made the difference for him. Here’s his 2008 playoffs statistics which clearly shows he has become a better team player.

Runner-ups were New Orleans’ Chris Paul (889 points), Boston’s Kevin Garnett (670 points), Cleveland’s LeBron James (438 points) and Orlando’s Dwight Howard (60 points). Read full article here.

Trivia: Kobe Bryant was only the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets (now NO Hornets) back in 1996. He was 17 then. The Lakers management that team wanted the young guard so much that they traded center Vlade Divac for Bryant.

The playoffs is heating up once again. After an exciting first-round matches, the 2nd round promises to be even more exciting. It’s definitely a grudge match between the teams. “No games asked, no games given.”

Finally the Celtics can take a deep breath after eliminating the determined Atlanta Hawks in their 1st round playoffs encounter, 4-3. Yes, it went down to 7! I thought I had it right when I forecasted that there will be no more surprises in the East aside from the 2 victories for the Sixers and the Hawks. However, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and sweet shooter Joe Johnsohn proved me wrong. The three guys and the rest of the Hawks forced a game deciding game seven after escaping the Celtics by 3 points 103-100 in game 6.

Winning to the tune of 99-65, the Celtics showed their poise and killer instinct. Paul Pierce lead the team with 22 points. KG who said in interview that he was up for more almost 24 hours because of the threatening match had 18 points and 11 boards. Nothing to be ashamed of for the Hawks. They played maturely. I’m very sure that the series was a very good learning experience for a young team like them. Boston moves on to the second round facing Lebron James and the rest of the Cavs.

Moving to the second round, my playoffs picture is so far on track. As of now, the Lakers is ahead of Utah 1-0. The stingy Hornets though took game 1 over the defending champs Spurs. Regrouped Detroit Pistons took game 1 against Orlando.

Aaaahh live NBA games on TV please!!

After an exciting race for the NBA 2008 Most Valuable Player, Kobe Bryant ends up with the precious recognition. It took 12 season before the “Black Mamba” gained the official MVP title.

No doubt, Bryant deserved it this year. He is having an exceptional season. This year, Kobe was not just a showman in the court, he evolved into a matured leader for the Lakers and this made the difference for him. Here’s his 2008 playoffs statistics which clearly shows he has become a better team player.

PPG 34.4  |  RPG 5.40  |  APG 6.4  |  EFF + 32.40 more

Runner-ups were New Orleans’ Chris Paul (889 points), Boston’s Kevin Garnett (670 points), Cleveland’s LeBron James (438 points) and Orlando’s Dwight Howard (60 points). Read full article here.

Trivia: Kobe Bryant was only the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets (now NO Hornets) back in 1996. He was 17 then. The Lakers management that team wanted the young guard so much that they traded center Vlade Divac for Bryant.

Just as I thought, there would be more player movement in the NBA right after the 2008 All-Star Weekend. However, I must admit, I didn’t exepect it would be this huge! The Seattle Supersonics and San Antonio Spurs were the first teams to proclaim their movements by sending Kurt Thomas of the Sonics for Spurs’ Barry and forward Francisco Elson. Then, comes an 11-player trade deal involving the Cavs, Bulls, and the Sonics once more. In addition, the Pistons, Raptors, Hornets, Rockets, Nuggets, and Blazers also got some matters settled.

Beating the Feb 21, 2008, 3 p.m. ET deadline, teams really got busy! The “Gasol to Lakers” movement really shaked the teams who are gunning for the elusive NBA title. Perhaps they felt the sense of urgency to boost their respective rosters in order to match up with the Lakers and the league leader, Boston Celtics. Of course, it’s the Boston who set the bars high. Here are some last minute trades:

The Rockets acquired high-flyer Gerald Green, a Texas native, from the Timberwolves for Kirk Snyder, a 2010 second-round pick and cash considerations.

Detroit traded Primoz Brezec and cash to Toronto for Juan Dixon, who was also dealt at last season’s deadline.

Denver sent Von Wafer to Portland for Taurean Green.

Mike Bibby of the Kings shipped to Hawks for starting point guard Anthony Johnson, 2007 first-round pick Shelden Williams, backup point guard Tyronn Lue, veteran forward Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round pick to the Kings.

TRADE DEALS IN WESTERN CONFERENCE:

New Orleans - Bonzi Wells and Mike James
Phoenix - Shaquille O’Neal
L.A. Lakers - Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza
San Antonio - Damon Stoudamire and Kurt Thomas
Dallas - Jason Kidd
Utah - Kyle Korver
Houston - Bobby Jackson, Gerald Green
Golden State - Chris Webber

This season must perhaps be the most active in terms of player movements. These are not just simple trade deals simply because big time players are involved. Also, it is very evident that these teams are serious for their NBA title contention. Some even took the risk of overlooking the future of their teams. I’m referring to the Dallas Mavericks which acquired future hall of fame point guard Jason Kidd for young and blossoming Devin Harris and other promising guys.

I promise to post my views, pros and cons of the movements of the respective teams. Watch out for it! Also checkout my basketballchat blog.

 

The Boston Celtics is not done building a championship contender team. It recently signed free agent James Posey. Posey at 6′8 plays the small forward position. He has a streaky stroke from the outside, can penetrate and more importantly a good defensive player. Posey also brings experience in the team. The guy steps-up especially during the playoffs. The star that he is, Posey is satisfied playing as a role player in his team. He has never been the go to guy or the super star of the team although I think he has what it takes to be one.

The Celtics has really done a very good job not just in their trade deals but also in their exploitation of the free agent market. Other recruit from the free agent list are Scott Pollard and Eddie House. Both are NBA veterans and effective role players.

Definitely the Celtics are going for the killer line-up this season. For more on this story [url="http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/notes/notes082707-posey-role.html"]CLICK ME[/url]

Eddie Griffin was one of my players in my NBA live 2005 fantasy team!hahaha He was an effective shot blocker down low. That is why he was included in my line-up.

After a long silence, the guy was recently in the headlines of sports columns. The former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Eddie Griffin died last week when his sports utility vehicle collided with a freight train in a fiery crash. Griffin was badly eaten by fire. He was identified through his dental records. 

According to the talks, Griffin had consistent liquor/alcohol problems since 2001. For more on this story, CLICK ME  

 Rest in peace man-

How ironic that NBA teams today are looking at hiring retired NBA stars like Regie Miller, Anfernee Hardaway, and Allan Houston. It seems every team is really gunning for the title this season.

It started with the Boston Celtics courting Regie Miller. From what I have read, the team wanted to pump up their bench. With the exit of 5 players in exchange for Kevin Garnett, the teams bench became shallow. They wanted more leaders in the team and with Regie, you expect to get prolific leadership especially down the stretch (that is, if Miller still can go “Miller Time”). It think Miller is a very significant addition to Boston’s roster this season. He may not be as good as he was before but definitely he can do something for the time.

Then comes Anfernee Hardaway bound to the Miami Heat. Shax! “Penny” is my idol before! I had a collection of Penny’s expensive NBA cards. He was a superstar back then. What is interesting in having Penny in Miami is its reunion with Shaquille O’neal! wOw! I remember their days in Orlando Magic. According to the news, Hardaway worked hard this summer to get back in shape. Let’s hope he plays well with Wade and O’neal. This is very good for Miami. After their lousy exit last season, the changes in their line-up makes them a team to watch once again.

Lastly, Allan Houston, the hotshot from New York Knicks. The news says Cleveland Cavaliers is the team courting Houston. Thank GOD! at least finally the Cavs are busy with shaping their roster!

For me, it’s nice to see these guys back on the playing court especially Hardaway and Miller. Well, can’t wait for the start of the new NBA season!

 

BOSTON CELTICS

Their off-season noise is definitely the loudest. After acquiring hotshot Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics, who would have thought it wasn’t the end yet. The Celtics finally got the services of monster forward Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the expense of Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, along with two first-round draft picks and cash considerations.

Having Garnett, Pierce, and Allen provides the Celtics immeasurable offensive firepower, superb inside prescence, and most importantly dedicated veterans that can surely provide leadership for the team. Also, I think the Celtics is most hungriest now more than ever for a championship because the trio are established superstars but has never tasted a championship title.

The Celtics is definitely a team to look out for this season. I just hope their dynamic trio stay away from injuries and will quickly blend together.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

With the privelege to select the overall first pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the Blazers are set to become an exciting team and even a title contender this coming NBA season. The Blazers selected a potential franchise player in Greg Oden. Oden definitely fits to the team because of its defficiency in terms of length and size.

The team added size and youth in the departure of inside dominator, Zach Randolph. With its youth, I don’t expect them to win the big games. I think they lack the prescence of a veteran leader in the team. However, the Blazers this season will surely be able to bring the crowd back in its arena.