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The Warriors will not win the 2016 NBA Championship

3-1.

The ratio that is both a gift and a curse for Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors. A ratio that is forever immortalized in countless NBA memes that have gone viral since those two epic collapses: the first by the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Golden State Warriors; and the second by the Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, which culminated in Lebron James’ third ring and Durant’s departure to the Bay Area.

The Warriors’ season has been better than expected: 34-6 (as of the date of this article) as they integrate their new addition into the starting lineup. It has no doubt been a struggle adjusting to life with a depleted bench and the loss of two starters. It is no easy feat to recoup after losing Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Leandro Barbosa, Marreese Speights, Brandon Rush, and Festus Ezeli. All were key contributors to the 73-9 Warriors that ultimately lost in the NBA Finals last year.

But don’t let that shiny 34-6 record fool you. Not all losses suffered are equal and some raise eyebrows, even for a team whose ultimate goal is to make it to the playoffs healthy and with good chemistry. There was an early loss to the youthful Lakers, a blowout loss to the Grizzlies on December 10th, the inexplicable loss to the Cavaliers on Christmas, and the fourth quarter and overtime collapse to the Grizzlies again on January 6th, 2017.

The latter two are the most troubling and reflect an innate inability of Durant and the Warriors to take care of business against tough, defensive minded teams. On Christmas, Durant and the Warriors gave up a double digit lead with over four minutes left and surrendered the game to the Cavs. Even more troubling was the 19 total turnovers (typical of the Warriors loose style of play), many in the final period.

A couple weeks later, against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors had a 19 point lead over the Grizzlies heading into the fourth period, and inexplicably, the Warriors lost focus again. Mike Conley hit a clutch jumper in the final seconds to tie the game and the rest, as they say, was history.

It makes you wonder: is this Warrior team capable of winning a championship?

I ask this question not from the perspective of chemistry, or health, or the constructed roster. I ask this regarding their mental makeup. Are the Warriors mentally tough enough to win?

While they did lose a considerable part of their roster this past offseason, the Warriors did retain a majority of their core: 2 time MVP Stephen Curry, All-Star sharpshooter Klay Thompson, versatile forward and part-time soccer player Draymond Green, Andre Igoudala, Shaun Livingston, and Anderson Verajo. Most of these players were finishing games for the Warriors last season. They added Durant, David West, Zaza Pachoulia (don’t even get me started on his All Star votes), Javale McGee, and other young players.

They have considerable talent, but are they capable of winning without injury striking the other team?

Now, before all of Warrior nation dubs me a hater and what not, hear me out. I’m asserting my position based on two major points: (1) Kevin Durant’s weak mental fortitude and (2) the Warrior’s collective (pre and post-acquisition of Durant) inability to close games and series.

The Thunder, long ago when both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were on the same team, were up 3-1 against the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. They were up! They squandered the series. I could have sworn the 2011 Finals Lebron James was playing on the Thunder when Durant disappeared in Game 6 IN Oklahoma City. He took terrible shots and was passive during games 6 and 7. His effort, while considerable, was not enough.

We all know what happened next. Durant bolted from the Thunder without even a phone call to Russell Westbrook, his so-called “brother” and teammate of 8 years. His cited reasons for leaving were to go to a system and a team where players played the right way. No selfishness, just teamwork and winning. He cited all of these as reasons for why he left the Thunder, all the while never taking any responsibility upon himself for also contributing to that culture and not trying to change it himself. His old teammates felt slighted, but Russell Westbrook shrugged it off and began his campaign to re-establish dominance and unconsciously becoming a walking triple-double.

Durant came to the 73-9 Warriors, fresh off of their own 3-1 loss in the NBA Finals. It is the weakest move in NBA history that I have ever seen from an athlete who was still in his basketball prime. Not only do you go to a team that just won 73 games and dubbed one of the best regular season teams in NBA history, but you go to the team that knocked you out of the playoffs after you were up 3-1 with three chances to eliminate them. When I first heard the news, it was readily and immediately apparent he was trying to ride Steph Curry’s coattails to an NBA Finals, something he hadn’t been able to do since 2012 when he still had James Harden.

Many don’t see it that way at all. For all of you comparing him to Lebron James departure to Miami or to other veteran players who often go to contenders, pump the brakes for a second. Seriously, it’s not the same.

First of all, Lebron was consistently living in the shadow of the Boston Celtics and getting eliminated by them when he was in Cleveland his first go around. After all of that, he never decided to go join Boston after they eliminated him. He joined Dwayne Wade in Miami. A rival yes, but also a close friend, one who had also been eliminated by Boston in the playoffs. Lebron wasn’t trying to ride Boston’s coattails. He wanted to beat them. He wanted to forge his own identity. He simply didn’t have enough help (or the mental makeup) at the time in Cleveland to win a championship by himself. He has since redeemed himself by winning two championships in Miami and one for Cleveland.

Durant, on the other hand, had a fellow All-Star in Westbrook (who is significantly better than Mo Williams was for Cleveland pre-2010) in Oklahoma City. He had quality big men in Enes Kanter, Serge Ibaka, and Steven Adams. He had defensive help and shooters surrounding him. Ultimately, he had more help than Lebron did in Cleveland, enough talent to win a championship and beat the Warriors, evidenced by the fact that he beat my 67-15 Spurs, was up 3-1 against the Warriors and only one win from the NBA Finals.

Second, comparing him to other veteran players who jump from contender to contender is to ignore reality and shows a lack of understanding of basketball. Veterans who often go to different teams are at the tail end of their career. Even if they were all stars back in the day, they no longer have the capability to affect the outcome of a game like a Kevin Durant does, who is still in the prime of his career and quite capable of winning games single-handedly. Those veterans are looking for the one thing that has eluded them in their careers: a championship. They are quite close to retiring and have only so many good years left.

Durant, on the other hand, is only 28 years old right now. Considering he is also a shooter, he has a good 10 years left of playing basketball. He is in his athletic prime and has a unique talent and understanding of the game of basketball that easily makes him a top 2 or 3 player in the world. This guy’s shooting and ability to make tough shots from anywhere on the court is unparalleled. The only person that could possibly beat him in a game of H-O-R-S-E is his teammate Steph Curry. Durant is no scrub and had the ability to make it to the finals and possibly win a ring.

Which is why my respect for KD went down a couple of notches. Yes, he is scoring 26 ppg on a blistering 53.7% and 39.3% from the 3-pt line, the latter two eclipsing his career averages. But what did you expect? Of course he’s going to be putting up such lofty numbers considering he’s playing alongside arguably the best shooting back court of all time and a two-time MVP. To me, these numbers aren’t as powerful because while they do reflect his greatness, everything is whide open. If I went on the court with his talent and started shooting shots with more space, I’d be doing the same thing. It is obvious that he was going to be more efficient on the court when playing with players who can stretch the floor and give him more room to shoot like Steph and Klay can.

He chose the easy way out. He could have stayed with Westbrook in Oklahoma City and built a legacy, but he doesn’t have the makeup to be the “man” on the team or be an effective leader. He wanted to be the second or third guy. He wanted to have mentally tougher players like Draymond Green who weren’t afraid of wearing the black hat. If he wanted the responsibility, wanted to accept the challenge, he would have stayed on a team that needed him, a team that was but one win away from facing Lebron’s Cavs in the Finals. He’s no Kobe Bryant.

He’s not mentally strong. And he was added onto a team that squandered a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Now, to be fair, it is very relevant that Draymond Green was suspended in game 5 and that both Bogut and Igoudala were injured for the remainder of that series, which tipped the scales in Cleveland’s favor. It was also very relevant that Curry wasn’t 100% in the playoffs too. It does not, however, negate that Curry historically has struggled against Lebron in the Finals. Curry struggled in 2016 NBA Finals against the Cavs. While he didn’t in 2015, he also wasn’t facing a full-powered Cavs team. He was very fortunate that Love and Irving were injured or else we’d be having a very different conversation right now. Curry even struggled mightily against the Cavs on Christmas day.

Many of you will denounce me as a hypocrite, saying, yea, but your Facebook status last year was all about supporting the Warriors. You’re just a bandwagon fan. Except, I’m actually a Spurs fan. I had no skin in the past two Finals matchups. Calling out which team I preferred to win is irrelevant to my argument. I observed the basketball on my own and come to my own conclusions regarding the state of the Warriors and any other team.

And the conclusion is crystal clear to anybody who watches basketball: there are serious questions about whether the Warriors can win the championship this year. They struggle against length and against teams that have a tough, gritty style of basketball, which is what playoff basketball is from the second round on. The mental fortitude is simply not there at the times when it matters most. It is something the Warriors will have to forge as they skate through the rest of the regular season.

To deny this is to ignore basketball reality. Basketball goes beyond the X’s and O’s. It is just as much about mental fortitude and mental toughness.

3-1 proved that.

[frizzyboy5-blog]

All Star Weekend: Some Tough Love

BY FARHAN ALI It is the weekend of love. Well, at least for the game of basketball anyways. Following Valentine’s Day this year, NBA All Star Weekend was a moment to escape the struggles of the season (just ask Melo) and celebrate the game of basketball with events such as the Celebrity Game, the Rising Stars Game, NBA Saturday Night, and of course, capped off by the All Star Game Sunday night. Interspersed between the basketball are charity and NBA Cares events, where the NBA community gave back to the people of New Orleans. All were noble causes and the act of charity is always replicated by the players and their respective teams throughout the season. Looking around the league though and all of the media and fans that witness this weekend, is there anything to love during All Star Weekend? Fans are treated to events that aren’t participated in competitively by the players and do not exhibit what the game of basketball (and sports in general) stand for. Do we respect the regular season and playoffs because players entertain us with dunks or because we are treated to competitive games? Because no games in the season are played like the All Star Games or the other events of the weekend. Why is this weekend an exception? Why shouldn’t players take the Skills challenge seriously? Why should it take three attempts to get a dunk completed when players have so much time to practice? Why is there no defense in the Rookie-Sophomore challenge? Watching the All Star Game was the biggest disappointment this year. I really wish the coaches were allowed to do their jobs and actually coach the players. It is disgusting to see players like Lebron, Paul George, Dwight Howard, and Kevin Durant, among others, who have so much pride in stopping their opponents from scoring, not take the game seriously until the fourth quarter. Because even for an All Star Game, a score of 163 (East) - 155 (West) is a joke (with no overtime periods). I don’t watch the NBA for blowouts. Or for non-competitive games. Or for layup lines. I watch for competitive defensive games. For drama. For match-ups. I want to see a competitive All Star Game, a competitive Rookie-Sophomore game. An All Star Saturday night the players take seriously. Only then do we see who’s the best of the best. If that happened, we know the fans would enjoy it. There would finally be an excitement leading up to the weekend rather then a dull anticipation to see layup lines and players shooting basketballs like they were in an empty gym. Throughout the entire weekend, the players, league, and coaches alike all echo the same sentiment: that this weekend is for us to exhibit our greatness to the fans, to celebrate all the opportunities and privileges of being a professional in sports. Outside of the charity events, I haven’t seen much greatness on the part of the players and it seems as if the fans are shortchanged for making the effort to sit through event after event of non-competitive play. Should we celebrate competitions where players compete half-heartedly? Where it takes three to four attempts to perform a dunk in the NBA dunk contest? Where the All Star Game and Rookie-Sophomore challenges are considered layup lines instead of opportunities to compete and exhibit all that talent and greatness we appreciate? Maybe the weekend isn’t designed to be played that way, possibly because of the risk of injuries, the busy All Star Schedule, and with regular season games resuming two days after. But that should change. The word around the league is that players have requested the All Star Break to be a bit longer, maybe a full week instead of four days. Commissioner Silver is said to be taking the request very seriously and it could definitely be a step in the right direction. That coupled with added incentives for the players could maybe tip the scales for a more competitive weekend through three days. Personally, I would love to see the conference that wins the All Star Game get home-court advantage in the NBA Finals. It would bring an edge to the game as players like Lebron, Kobe, and Durant and others who are in the title chase demand more from their teammates and play like the MVPs they truly are. We could see a competitive game from start to finish and finally bring significance to a game that still has no meaning to it. As a final tidbit, let us not forget the added advantage it could bring to the league. Marketing the players is already profitable, but marketing a game like this would bring in huge revenues for the league and added interest from casual and on-the-fence fans that don’t take an interest in professional basketball. From a business standpoint, the league can profit tremendously, and Adam Silver can make his first mark as Commissioner and transform a decent weekend into a great one. If All Star Weekend is to truly be a celebration of the game, then celebrate it with a game for the ages. A game that we can only see once a year, complemented by events whose participants compete in them with purpose and drive. Because at the end of the day, every fan watches because they want to see something incredible. We love the players, the regular season, and the playoffs. Let us love basketball again during All Star Weekend. Comments and feedback are always appreciated

[frizzyboy5-blog]

THE TOP 5 STORIES BEFORE TRAINING CAMP

Andrew Wigging, projected #1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft

By Farhan Ali

It has certainly been a while since I've posted on this blog. I gotta say I missed writing and talking basketball, but law school applications are calling and I have to give them their due attention. 

It has been a wacky and action packed NBA summer, with USA Training Camp, Anthony Bennet going #1 in the NBA draft, KG and Paul Pierce going to the Nets, Kobe jumping off a diving board while recovering from a surgery to repair his Achilles tendon, Derrick Rose balling with samurai, and Allen Iverson retiring. 

While it has certainly been amusing to see these headlines, I'm itching to watch some live, high level basketball. Ready for my Spurs to prove the doubters wrong. Ready to see Lebron compete for a three-peat. Ready to see if Dwight added some post moves to his offensive arsenal. Ready to see if Kyrie Irving can help the Cavs take the next step. 

The 2013-2014 season is not going to disappoint. There are so many stories this year that can keep the hardcore as well as the casual fan captivated. Here's the top 5: 

5. Commissioner Stern's Last Season: The Commissioner's last season after a 25 year career that saw the likes of Showtime, His Airness, and the Heatles among so many other noteworthy stories. He transformed a drug consuming, UFC fight filled league into a civilized and quick whistle association. He helped oversee the expansion of the league, with the addition of new teams such as the OKC Thunder, New Orleans Hornets, and the Memphis Grizzlies as well as many others. The league also extended its influence past the Atlantic into Africa, Asia, and Europe. While he has often seen the Twitter wrath of passionate fans who doubt the authenticity of the league, Commissioner Stern has been a true developer of the league and will be sorely missed. 

4. #TheReturn: We're not just talking Derrick Rose here. This list includes all players coming back from injury plagued seasons last year. You can bet that Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Amare Stoudamire, and to an extent Dwight Howard will have something to say. So many teams' fates will be decided based upon how these players will perform, most notably the Chiacgo Bulls' and the Houston Rockets'. Both teams are contenders this year and Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard both have to prove that they are still capable of carrying a franchise with their teammates. Kevin Love hasn't been healthy the past two years and adding Kevin Martin through free agency and a healthy Ricky Rubio will put pressure on him to perform. The Lakers' chances at a playoff spot will depend on the health of Kobe Bryant. The hype behind the Addidas commercial will be put to the test. 

3. Miami's Three-Peat: The Heat have a chance to join exclusive company, with Kobe's early Lakers, Jordan's Bulls, Russell's Celtics, and the ancient Minneapolis Lakers to be the only teams to complete a successful three peat. Probably no other time in Lebron's historic career will be as significant to cement his legacy as one of the greatest ever. No other time will Lebron have to prove that he belongs in the same category as Michael Jordan. The Heatles are a team with veteran experience, young superstars, deadly three point shooting, and elite swarming defense and have all the ingredients necessary to bring Miami's it's fourth championship and first three peat. While it won't be discussed until April when the playoffs commence, it will be an underlying theme throughout the season. 

2. The Next Lebron: Lebron spent the first 9 years of his professional career questioned for his ability to add a Larry O'Brien trophy to his resume. In 2012, he got that monkey off his back. Who will be that player this year? Dwight? Kevin Durant? Carmelo? Deron Williams? Chris Paul? Derrick Rose? This is significant because fans always want the next failure, the next player who is supposed to live up to expectations, but fails. After all, so many fans (myself included) wanted Lebron to fail. I'll take a shot in the dark and say there is probably not more pressure on anyone then on Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard. All three have what they need to win a championship (for Chris Paul even on the sidelines with the addition of Doc Rivers), and every year they get bounced early in the playoffs is another year the pressure builds to win now. All three are sick of Lebron raising a trophy in back to back years and all hope to be the next one to claim a ring.

1. The Season of Tanking: A strong draft class comes around only so often. The last one of 2003 produced Carmelo Anthony, Lebron james, and Dwayne Wade along with a slew of players that managed to carve out successful careers in the NBA. The class of 2014 has top notch prospects, such as 6-8 SF Andrew Wiggins from Kansas and SF Jabari Parkar from Duke University. Usually, strong drafts are preceded by a season of teams that intentionally underperform. With teams such as Boston and the Lakers, both looking to turn their franchises around in case they can't compete for a playoff spot, it won't be surprising to see them vie for a high draft pick to quickly turn their franchise around. There is no incentive for teams that have no chance to make the playoffs to compete and try to win games. This is partly the fault of the teams, but mostly of the league, as there are no incentives for teams to compete night in and night out. Look for teams like the 76ers, Charlotte, Phoenix, and Sacramento to underperform and try and get a high lottery pick. 

[frizzyboy5-blog]

LEBRON'S HUMBLE TOP 3

Le

By Farhan Ali

Lebron’s finally lost it. 

The fame, the back to back rings, the commercials, the Miami lifestyle. It’s all too much to handle. Athletes have wilted under the pressure before. Want to know what happened? 

He came up short after a whole year … on his picks for top 3 of all time. 

After a year of finally doing everything absolutely right, Lebron finally showed he is still human and humble. After all, he chose Jordan, Dr. J and Larry Bird for his top 3 of all time and intentionally left himself off the list

Okay, maybe this is a bit of an overreaction. After all, this is a very subjective question FOX Sports asked Lebron. This is America and everybody is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs, including Lebron.

But seriously, it can get a bit ridiculous. Jordan is a lock for the top 2 if not the first spot. There can be an argument made for Larry Bird too.

But Dr. J? I do not think he did enough as an NBA player to warrant a top 3 spot. The Doctor was a revolutionizing figure in all senses of the word: fashion, style (especially with the afro), and of course basketball. He popularized the ABA and brought the fast gunning flash and flare of the ABA to the NBA. Although he did win three championships (2 with the ABA and 1 with the NBA), it is questionable whether he can be considered one of the greatest of all time when you have Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, and now even Lebron James knocking on the door. The first two affected the game in more ways then one and won multiple NBA titles. Lebron is in the midst of a spectacular career and he is the most imposing combination of size, speed, and athleticism in basketball history.

Each of these players (except for Lebron, who is still in the prime of his career) makes a more legitimate case for a top player then Dr. J. Sekou Smith went with Jordan, Magic, and Kareem in his top 3, with Wilt on the cusp. 

While I am not sure what requirements Mr. Smith or Lebron used in making their decisions, if I were to choose my top three, I’d choose based on championship rings, other accolades, and influence on the game. Based upon that, here are my top 3 as of today: 

Michael Jordan: 6 time champion, 5 time MVP, and 10 time scoring champion among a list of accolades that would not fit on this blog. Nothing beats his Airness in the Clutch factor nor in how many times he’s broken the hearts of his opponents. He has denied so many players championships and was a global icon. He was the best player on the 1992 Dream Team, the USA team full of Hall of Famers that went to the Barcelona Olympics. He was the top player in his generation and changed the way people played and enjoyed basketball. 

Magic Johnson: 5 time champion, 3 time MVP, and 3 time Finals MVP. Magic changed the PG position by bringing Showtime to the NBA. Not only did he play the PG position with a lanky 6’9” frame, but he instantly transformed the Lakers into a contender, winning a championship in his rookie season. He reached the Finals 9 times while making impossible passes look effortless. All of this after he won a National title with Michigan State in 1979. There is simply no disrespecting the man when it comes to winning and bringing titles.

Bill Russell: 11 time champion, 5 time MVP, and 5 time league leader in rebounding. People overlook Russell because he played often times against less athletic players. Not only did he win titles as a player underneath Red Auerbach, but he also proved to be one of the greatest player coaches, starting in 1966 and winning 2 more rings in that role. He also revolutionized playing defense by blocking shots, something that was not conventional and not considered the proper way to play defense, as odd as that sounds today. He also denied Chamberlain so many opportunities to win titles, something that marred Chamberlain’s career. 

Kareem, as declared by Sekou Smith on his list, was a great player no doubt. He won titles with the Lakers and the Bucks. His sky hook was the most unstoppable shots in all of basketball. However, I do not believe he could repeat his success without Magic. While he made the Finals with the Bucks, he never got back to that plateau until Magic came along. The argument can be made that Magic singlehandedly saved Kareem’s career. 

I think it is also possible to see Lebron eclipsing either Magic or Russell to be included in that conversation. If he attains enough titles, it is reasonable to assume that he could be the greatest of all time, considering how many ways he affects the game on and off the court. With MVPs and numerous All NBA selections, his resume is beginning to resemble Michael Jordan’s. The one edge that he has is that he is one of the greatest physical specimens to ever grace this planet and he has shown the clutch gene in the past two NBA Finals. 

While some will say he never would have won without D-Wade, the same can be said about any champion. Nobody wins by their lonesome selves. Jordan didn’t, Magic didn’t, Kobe didn’t, and Tim Duncan didn’t either. James has shown he is destined for another incredible season, a fifth MVP award, and a possible three peat, something that hasn't been done since Kobe's Lakers over 10 years ago. He will still be in his prime for at least 4-5 more years and if he keeps it up like he definitely can, he will surpass Jordan in rings and possibly cement his case for GOAT.

Everybody has different opinions on their GOAT, or their top 3, or their top 5. Some will say it is blasphemous to even consider anybody eclipsing Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. However, at some point, a player always arrives. Who knows, he might be practicing right now. 

No doubt Lebron thinks (but won't say) that he will get there. This author definitely says so.

Unless he loses it. 

Comments are greatly appreciated. 

[frizzyboy5-blog]

THE NBA'S SWEET SIXTEEN

By Farhan Ali

Is the NBA champion truly the best team in the NBA? 

Can you crown a true NBA champion if they have not beaten the best teams out of both conferences? 

Would the Heat have been as successful if they had to go through the Lakers? Or the Clippers? Or the Warriors? Would the Spurs have been as successful this year if they had to play Indiana before making the Finals? Or if the had to play the Bulls or Knicks?

A champion is not a champion unless he beats the best in a best of seven. You cannot say the Mavs were possibly the best team when they hadn't competed in the playoffs against great Eastern Conference teams like the Celtics or the Bulls in 2011, who both got eliminated by the Heat. Playing teams from your conference is one thing, but claiming the crown after beating just one team from the opposite conference four times doesn't cut it.

Being a champion means more then facing the same teams year after year in the playoffs because at that point, you are just trying to get past that team. Being a champion should be redefined to beating the sixteen best teams in the league, irrespective of which conference they are in. The regular season is not representative because teams are so focused on the long term and they tend to drop games against some teams in favor of resting players or saving game strategies.

The playoffs are a different animal. Seeing the same team up to seven times truly tests your abilities and forces a team to neutralize its weaknesses and become a better team throughout the series. It is important to be able to do this against as many different teams as possible, not just the teams in one conference.

Throughout history, teams get eliminated by the same team over and over again and fail to take the next step simply because of the same matchup or because of conference strength. Ask Patrick Eweing, Reggie Miller, and Chris Webber, all players whose teams were never able to get to the finals more than once (In Chris Webber's case never). They were contending teams that deserved a chance at the Finals by playing teams apart from the Bulls and Lakers, respectively.

Furthermore, there have been numerous instances (especially in the West) where a great team cannot make the playoffs, even though their winning percentage is at times better then many teams in the East. Houston, a team that was a game or two away for a couple years from making the playoffs in the West before James Harden arrived, would have been a sixth seed in the East for the 2011 playoffs.

Is it fair to eliminate teams that deserve a shot at the playoffs? Is it fair that a team that consistently plays better then teams in the opposite conference does not get a chance at a playoff spot, but a team that plays consistently worse does? 

The playoffs need to be amended. The best sixteen teams, regardless of conference, should be made to go against each other in seven game series. There are several positives to take out of this. 

Teams that have worse seedings would not make the playoffs. This system would reward merit more then simply being in a weaker conference. It would also encourage teams in both conferences to compete till the last day to try and get a playoff spot because there was more uncertainty. 

The best would go at each other. Everybody knows that the first rounds are essentially a sweep of lesser teams. However, this would ensure that even the first rounds would have more enticing matchups, with a more diverse group of teams then the standard 8 teams one would face from their own conference.

Teams that get repeatedly eliminated year after by the same team would be given an opportunity to advance by playing against different teams. Granted, rivalries are often built upon playoff history against one team, but at the end of the day, progress is measured by how far you go, not only by success against one team. 

Fans would get the opportunity to see their teams in a best of seven series with teams they normally do not play much against. Take the February Knicks and Warriors game, where Steph Curry scored 54. Often times, the opportunity to get back at a team wouldn't be present until the following season. However, with this revision of seedings, fans would get that opportunity much more quickly. 

This is an idea that has been mentioned before, particularly by Kenny "The Jet" Smith on Inside the NBA. This revision has clear positives that would bring a champion from among the true contenders in the Playoffs and a larger bracket of teams. 

These are the NBA 2012-13 Playoff Seeds, courtesy of NBA.com. Looking at that table, it is obvious that the bottom three teams in the West outperformed the bottom three teams in the East. The Warriors would have been the fifth seed in the East, while a team like the clippers or the Grizzlies would be the second seed. New York, on the other hand, would have been the sixth seed in the West. 

This all goes to show that West is particularly stronger. Even a team like Utah that did not make the playoffs, would have been a seventh seed in the playoffs in the East, whereas in the West, they would not have even made an eight seed. This is detrimental to a team's work ethic, a team that was clearly better then some of those in the East.

Now, if the playoff standings were revised to just include the top 16 teams, regardless of conference, the team standings would look much different:

Miami (66-16)

Oklahoma City (60-22)

San Antonio (58-24)

Denver (57-25)

Los Angeles Clippers (56-26)

Memphis (56-26)

New York (54-28)

Indiana (49-32)

Brooklyn (49-33)

Golden State (47-35)

Chicago (45-37)

Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)

Houston (45-37)

Atlanta (44-38)

 Utah (43-39)

Boston (41-40)

The standings look much different as to not only the matchups, but also as to whom makes the playoffs. Notice that Milwaukee is eliminated from the playoff race and replaced by Utah. 

While there are more teams from the West, it only make sense because the West is stronger and therefore should represent a larger share of the teams. This system rewards teams that otherwise would be overlooked in favor of a team that possibly did worse in the opposite conference. Teams that aren't performing as well as other teams would be excluded from the playoffs, and would not be slotted in for the simple excuse that they are in a weaker conference. 

The playoff matchups would amount to the following:

1 vs 16: Miami vs Boston

2 vs 15: Oklahoma City vs Utah

3 vs 14: San Antonio vs Atlanta

4 vs 13: Denver vs Houston

5 vs 12: Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers

6 vs 11: Memphis vs Chicago

7 vs 10: New York vs Golden State

8 vs 9:  Indiana vs Brooklyn

Furthermore, the brackets could be drawn out as the following: 

At the end of the day, there are still four rounds to the playoffs, but you play much stronger teams. What this also does is keep home court advantage for the better team while also exposing top teams to lower seeded teams that are better and more challenging. While many times it still won't make a difference, it challenges teams to be at their best for a longer period of time instead of possibly getting a "by" in the first round. 

The league and owners will complain about rising costs due to logistics, but won't there also be a rise in ratings and possible revenues based upon the diversity of games and matchups? This is an avenue that the league can explore to possibly neutralize. 

Another issue that could rise is that some teams will be traveling more then others. For example, the New York and Golden State series will see much more traveling then say Memphis and Chicago. While this may be a problem, it is also a completely random phenomenon due to seeding. 

Teams may want to tank games to avoid traveling, but at the end of the day, if teams want to tank games simply due to traveling, then they probably should not make the playoffs in any case.

Others may also say that if a team beats other teams in their conference on their way to the Finals (like the Heat did in 2011 to the Celtics and the Bulls), that team is better then all of them. However, a team (like the Mavs) was not able to test its strengths and weaknesses and overcome them against those great teams. So much is left up in the air and if the Mavs were exposed to more Eastern Conference teams rather then just one, it would be a better judge of the Mavs overall ability.

Opponents will also raise the issue that owners and GMs should build better teams. In some cases, there's only so much that can be done, and management can't build a team for the sake of just beating one team in their conference. In many cases, teams are built to their limits, but exit early because they see the same team every year. Teams should be able to have multiple opportunities to compete for a championship and against different adversaries, not just the same.

While this is definitely not a novel idea, revising the playoff structure has its merits. Promoting competition among the league's best promotes the idea of teams being rewarded for playing better. It does not give an excuse for lesser teams to make the playoffs. 

This playoff structure also takes a positive from the NCAA Tournament by combining all conferences together, but still maintaining the best of seven series component. More teams, but only one is truly better at the end of each series and advances to meet a better team.

At the end of the day, that should be the goal of the league: To reward the best for beating the best, irrespective of conference or location. While the league may have good intentions, I believe the current playoff format shortchanges that goal. It doesn't crown a true champion. 

Michael Jordan once said that being the best meant competing against the best, whether that be Karl Malone, Patrick Eweing, Reggie, Charles Barkley, Gary Payton, Magic Johnson and the likes. He did not discriminate against conference or team name, or anything of the sort. 

He just wanted to beat everyone as many times as possible. 

The NBA champion should be no different.

[frizzyboy5-blog]

Revised ESPN Western Conference Projections

By Farhan Ali

ESPN published their annual summer forecasts for the 2013-14 season. What particularly puzzled me was how some of the analysts misjudged the performances of some teams. Whether that is due to being oblivious to certain obvious facts or simply the fan speaking for the analyst, some of the rankings were obviously puzzling. 

The original Western Conference Forecast didn't sit well with me because certain teams (like the Spurs, Lakers, and Warriors) did not receive credit for how well they are able to perform, while teams like the Thunder are possibly given too much credit despite their obvious flaws.

My conference standings for the West are listed below. I judged the teams based upon each of the following: chemistry, 2012-2013 performance, coaching, and offseason additions/losses. 

In my opinion, the wins and losses will be lower then those projected by ESPN simply because I believe that the West has improved through the 11th seed (see below). 

Team Name (Projected Wins-Losses) [ESPN PROJECTION]: Discussion

PROJECTED WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS 2013-2014

San Antonio Spurs (57-25) [Third, 55-27] The Spurs just made it to the NBA Finals. Ranking them anything below second is an insult to the best professional sports organization. They have the coaching, the depth, leadership, and continuity from last season to make another strong run to the Finals. Replacing the erratic Gary Neal with the consistent Marco Belleneli provides a reliable bench scoring option to complement Manu Ginobili. While their win total might not be as high because of a loaded conference, expect the Spurs to reclaim the top spot.

Los Angeles Clippers (56-26) [Second, 57-25] Life is good if you are in Los Angeles. Jk, only if you're a Clipper. They got Doc Rivers as their coach and you can bet they will take a jump in the standings. Apart from the win loss record, I agree with ESPN about the ranking. Doc Rivers will demand more of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and more perimeter shooting with a reliable system will only allow them to be better offensively. The defense is a given with Doc. I wanted to rate them a higher, but getting used to the coach and the system will take a little time. Their second seed ranking undervalues how deadly will be to other contenders in the Playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder (54-28) [First, 58-24] I have already explained my issues with the Thunder. While they will be consistent defensively, losing Kevin Martin (leaving nothing for the James Harden deal) and a lack of consistent three point shooting doesn't give much room to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Add to that the lack of post play, bench scoring, and an offensive system and you place more burden on Durant and Westbrook to score consistently. Though this ranking is a bit generous, OKC is slotted right around the third or fourth seed.

Houston Rockets (54-28) [Fourth 53-29] The Rockets were primed for a big jump in the standings by adding Dwight Howard. With a low post scoring option as well as strong perimeter play, there is no reason why the Rockets shouldn't be even more lethal. Defense will be a question, where the Rockets ranked 21st in opponent's 3pt% (36.8%) and 28th in points allowed (102.5). While Howard helps them, unless they don't improve drastically on the perimeter, they will hit a ceiling with the fourth seed.

Golden State Warriors (51-31) [Sixth, 50-32] Golden State's play will be more consistent with the maturity and development of the team's core from last year's playoff experience. They already shoot lights out and have the athleticism to play good defense every night. However, lineup issues (adding Andre Igoudala and subtracting Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry) and debating whether to play big or small will force them to take a temporary step back and give up a few games in view of the bigger picture. Steph Curry's ankles are like tissue paper and could also cost a couple crucial games. The Warriors will jump a spot ahead of last year, but only by a win.

Memphis Grizzlies (49-33) [Fifth, 51-31] The Grizzlies are an odd bunch. While I think their defense is still elite, their flaws were exposed in the playoffs, particularly by a lack of perimeter play. While Mike Miller is certainly an upgrade to their 3pt shooting, I believe that the loss of Rudy Gay last year to the raptors will finally bite them this year. Mike Conley cannot handle the pressure of leading the offense every night with no help. While the bigs will dominate, it remains to be seen whether losing Lionel Hollins will be detrimental (particularly on defense). If so, the sixth seed is a bit high. 

Los Angeles Lakers (45-37) [Twelfth, 36-46] Honestly, they could make it as high as the sixth seed. I am not ready to count out the Lakers as long as Kobe Bryant is on the team. Kobe's proven that he can singlehandedly carry a team to the playoffs and I do believe Coach D'Antoni will be more cautious with his minutes, especially post surgery. While I do believe they will have chemistry issues with the addition of new players, a full training camp can alleviate some of those concerns.  Do not count out Steve Nash's leadership in terms of his ability to run an offense smoothly. Oh, and they have Pau Gasol, probably the most underrated and under-appreciated player in the league right now.

Minnesota Timberwolves (41-41) [Eighth, 40-42]  This one was right on the money by ESPN. They have upgraded at the SG position with Kevin Martin and picked up Shabazz Muhammad to shore up the bench. They have one of the best frontcourts in Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic (currently negotiating a contract) as well as a top 10 PG in Ricky Rubio. The athletic Derrick Williams and the crafty J.J. Barea and Alexis Shved provide for a young and athletic bench. With Rick Adelman's leadership and a bit of luck to stay healthy, this team is primed to finally make the playoffs. The spot is their's to lose.

New Orleans Pelicans (40-42) [Eleventh, 37-45] The Pelicans will definitely be much better with Jrue Holiday leading their squad and Tyreke Evans coming off the bench. They are young, energetic, and have the necessary pieces to take a big step forward. Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers add to their perimeter game and Al-Farouq Aminu can give them versatility on both sides of the court. If, they are healthy and Anthony Davis gets a little bigger and can dominate the paint, they will be the eighth best team in the conference and upset the Timberwolves. They can be ranked eighth or ninth.

Denver Nuggets (39-43) [Seventh, 43-39] I think the Nuggets definitely have the athleticism to compete on a night in night out basis. They proved they have the ability to run. However, losing the Swiss Army Knife Andre Igoudala to the Warriors and the exit of 2013 Coach of the Year George Karl (all after a first round loss to the Warriors) will set them back until they prove they can replace both pieces. Ranking 20th in defensive 3p% as well as 24th in OPPG last year doesn't help either. Maybe rookie coach Brian Shaw can change that and push them up a spot or two.

Portland Trailblazers (37-45) [Tenth, 38-44] The Trailblazers are heading in the right direction. While they will be in the same spot, the extra four wins will show progress. Damian Lillard is dangerous as a scoring PG, LeMarcus Aldridge is still a potent low post threat, and the combination of Myers Leonard and Robin Lopez will help shore up their interior defense. However, they still lack a perimeter scorer, which may place a lid on their playoff chances. If Batum can take that role and play at an All Star level consistently, it may be enough to again be on the cusp of the playoffs. 

Dallas Mavericks (35-47) [Ninth, 39-43] The Mavericks will be good offensively and terrible defensively. Rather than rebuild, Mark Cuban chose mediocre talent to surround Dirk Nowitzki. With no shot blocking or consistent defensive play, the team will definitely take a step back from last year. Monte Ellis is a scorer, but not much else. Vince Carter is on his last legs and Jose Calderon does not offer much defensive help. They aren't better then the Pelicans, Trailblazers, or Nuggets and have fewer tradeable assets to reposition themselves throughout the season.  If anything, this will be a lottery team, capable of beating only the teams below it consistently.

Utah Jazz (33-49) [Thirteenth, 32-50] Not much difference here compared to ESPN's projection. The Jazz lost Al Jefferson and a quasi leader in Mo Williams. While Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter will be given more opportunity to play and learn, their will be significant growing pains. Tyrone Corbin is not the coach of the future and this may be his last season as a coach if the team ends up where it was last year or below. The Jazz are a team for the future and this year will be a developing year. Do no expect anything but a lottery pick and possibly the 10th seed at best.

Sacramento Kings (26-56) [Fourteenth, 30-52] It remains to be seen whether DeMarcus Cousins will take the leaps forward in his third season necessary to boost the Kings up. Losing Tyreke Evans hurts, but it could have been worse without picking up a talent like Ben McLemore. This team has been rebuilding for almost 5-6 years now. New head coach Michael Malone (who's basketball pedigree is unquestioned) will have a tough job bringing this team back to its glory days.

Phoenix Suns (21-61) [Fifteenth, 22-60) Another team like the Sacramento Kings that is in no position for a playoff run. They will be developing the likes of Eric Bledsoe and Alex Yen (acquired in the draft). They have pieces they could work with, but they are too young and inexperienced to be anything but a bottom feeder at this point. Rookie coach Jeff Hornacek will have his hands full and will have to preach patience to a team struggling since 2010. Look for the Suns to try and nab another top five pick in next year's draft.

Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated. 

[frizzyboy5-blog]

THE CASE FOR COACH MAMBA

Kobe Bryant

Image Courtesy of Yahoo Images

By Farhan Ali

#1. 

That is all that has ever mattered to Kobe Bryant, arguably the greatest shooting guard in NBA history. And it is this obsession to be the best that has driven him to dominate the league on a year in and year out basis.

5 Time NBA Champion. NBA 2008 MVP. 15 time All Star. 15 All NBA selections. 12 All NBA Defensive Team selection. 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist. 

Is it too soon to consider a Coach of the Year award in the future? 

It is an idea that is already beginning to gain a bit of traction with Bryant's recent trip to China, when a video surfaced of Kobe teaching his "Mamba Mentality" and his work ethic to younger players in one of the most basketball crazed countries in the world. 

Is it too far fetched to even consider? Not really.

Let's consider the positives. His resume will speak for itself when he decides to hang up his sneakers and his success will grant him immediate respect from his players. Kobe already plays a leadership role as one of the stars of his Lakers and often does have to play point guard (essentially an extension of the coach), which is often a position that translates into coaching successfully.

Not only has Kobe built his reputation as a hard worker and as a film room junkie, but he has an insatiable thirst for details. He loves the fundamentals and is preacher of precision and execution. He is known to wake up as early as 5am every morning to head to the gym and put up shots, work on fine tuning mastered moves, lifting, and exploring new ways to get an edge over his opponents, all before practices and games. He is a true workaholic and probably the only true comparison to His Airness in every possible facet of the game.

This is partly a reason for why him and former coach Phil Jackson got along so great. Both have that desire to look at every detail and to execute precisely according to the game plan. And mutually, it has worked out well for both of them, with 5 rings a piece.

While Kobe has been noted to be a basketball junkie since his days as a rookie, Phil's influence on Kobe is noticeable. Kobe said in his basketball documentary "Kobe Doin' Work" that him and Phil essentially called the same plays simultaneously for the team without either of them realizing it. Their close relationship has translated to them thinking alike, and having the Zen mindset never hurts when it comes to being a leader and a future coach.

All of these intangibles along with his knowledge of the game make him a prime candidate to be an excellent basketball coach. 

Many say that stars are too driven to become successful coaches. That they are so driven by perfection that it becomes impossible to properly coach and to gain the loyalty of your players. 

I would like those naysayers to look at Larry Bird, Doc Rivers, Bill Russell, and Mark Jackson among many others. All have played different positions from each other and were cold blooded killers in their playing days. They all had the same drive, passion, and mindset for the game as Kobe does now. And each of them enjoyed success as NBA coaches. 

The ability to motivate and imbue confidence to your players is also an important trait that has to be mastered by Kobe. While he has pushed his teammates to become better players, Kobe has managed to alienate some by being too demanding. However, this quality is one that many of the star players listed above also had to deal with, and they were able manage their competitive drives for the overall benefit of the team. In some of their cases, they actually used their drive and ability to motive to get the best out of their players and build a true team (e.g. Doc Rivers and Mark Jackson in today's NBA).

Kobe's playing days are numbered as he continues to age, there is no denying that. He has a good 3-4 years max left as an elite player, and there's no telling whether the Achilles injury he suffered against the Warriors will affect that time span (although he has said he's shattered the typical recovery time post-surgery, which is a good omen). 

The drive and competitive fire to be successful will never leave Kobe. He's just wired that way. While I'm sure that he isn't thinking about it right now, coaching is definitely not something to rule out once his career as a player is over. 

It is common knowledge that many players do not want to go into the coaching business once they are done as players. It is understandable too: the grueling schedule, the behind the scenes work preparing and motivating a team on a daily basis, coupled with the hotseat and glare that comes from the organizational brass and the media can be too much for some. 

However, I can imagine the Black Mamba wanting to remain in basketball in his post-playing days. He certainly has the basketball pedigree and the grooming from one of the best coaches in league history to be a successful coach. He has consistently shown the ability to be clutch in his performance and takes pressure head on.

And let's be honest. With all the awards already lining up his trophy case, I think there is a little room left for a Coach of the Year Award and for a ring or two for being on the sidelines. It can't be ruled out that if he doesn't finish his playing days as a career with a ring, Bryant would still have the desire to beat MJ's ring count.

At the end of the day, they all symbolize everything that Bryant strives for in basketball: 

Being #1.

Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated. 

[frizzyboy5-blog]

TAKING THE NEXT STEP

Demarcus Cousins

Image courtesy of Yahoo Images

Potential. 

It is the one quality that franchises always look for in their players. Who has the highest ceiling? Who can continue to grow over the years to become the face of the franchise? Which player can raise their game from a good player to a great player? Star to superstar. Superstar to Hall of Famer. 

Sometimes it's more about the mental qualities then the physical. Other times, it's not. With each player, franchises get the pros and cons. Those that reduce their cons and strengthen their pros ultimately lead their franchises to the next level. 

Take Lebron James for example. For years, he was dubbed "The Chosen One" and "The King." For years, he never lived up to the hype, always falling short in the playoffs and the Finals, where it all mattered for a once in a generation player. Players like that are measured by rings, not by playoff appearances, and for years, his teams never took the next step, falling short when it mattered most.

It took 9 seasons for Lebron to finally turn the corner and win a championship. He developed a post game, became more consistent with his jumpshot, and most importantly of all, he became mentally tougher and stopped freezing when the lights were at their brightest.

He became comfortable in his own skin and knew that if he enjoyed the game and developed the right work ethic every summer, he could do anything, which is what he did. And because of it, he is a back to back champion, bolstering his credentials for a Hall of Fame ticket.

Every player dreams of becoming a champion and carrying his team to the next level and winning. But only a few are truly capable of doing so. It takes good teammates, great coaching, and a little bit of luck. However, a determined leader who is capable of carrying the team and taking responsibility for his performance as well as the team's is the most important of all. 

Every team that has won a championship has a star or a collection of stars that can carry them and take them to the next level. An exception is 2004, when the Detroit Pistons won with a collection of good, but not great players.

The NBA is star driven and if any team wants the opportunity to take the next step, that team must have a star. Below are 5 players who have glaring weaknesses that, if cleared up, could take their teams to the next level of competition: 

Dwight Howard

Free throws have always been Howard's Achilles heel. While his free throw percentages have usually roamed around 60%, his percentages fell inexplicably to around 49% his last year in Orlando and his time in Los Angeles as a Laker. Whether it's his mental toughness as a player or his form, if he can raise the percentage back to the 60% range, his team will fare much better offensively.

A strong, fundamentally sound post game would do wonders. With his athleticism, he has already shown the capability to finish on the pick and roll as well as off offensive rebounds and put backs. If he develops a consistent jump hook with either hand over either shoulder, he adds more offensive capability to an already dangerous Rockets team. 

With three point shooters surrounding him, if Dwight develops the low post game necessary and learns how to post up without fouling, he can open up numerous opportunities for the Houston Rockets. Chandler Parsons and James Harden are great cutters and spot up shooters and complement a potential low post offense well. Look for Dwight to grow these two areas of his game this year. If he does so, the Rockets are a true championship contending team this year.

Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio is a player with strong potential over the coming years. His flashy passing has already earned him comparisons to Pistol Pete Maravich, a point guard who dazzled in the 1970s with the Atlanta Hawks and the New Orleans Jazz.

Rubio has already shown an acumen for passing the ball and playing pestering defense. He has the capability to run an offense in the halfcourt and the fastbreak, which is a defining characteristic in a true PG. However, teams often sag off of him as he still has not developed a consistent and reliable perimeter shot. While his FT% for his career is an impressive 80%, his 31.7% from the 3 and 36% overall are not elite numbers. 

If Rubio can develop a consistent jump shot and finish better in the lane (possibly by adding a floater shot like Tony Parker or Chris Paul), he can help the Timberwolves take the next step. If his offense develops, his passing game becomes more lethal as he garners more defensive attention and opens up looks for the rest of his teammates. The TImberwolves have been hovering at the edge of the playoffs the last two seasons. This could push them to the 7th or 8th seed and start a trend of playoff appearances. 

DeMarcus Cousins

Drafted in 2010 by the Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins has been nothing but a knucklehead for his team. With his outbursts (starting with the infamous ejection from practice by Coach Paul Westphal in his first season), Cousins has gained an image as an immature player who does not seem capable of taking the Kings out of their playoff drought. 

He has one of the greatest upsides of any of the younger talents in the league. Through his first three seasons, he has managed to be a 16 and 10 guy. However, for a player with the physical gifts that he has, he should be seeing more then the roughly 30 minutes he's been playing in his first three seasons. If he played consistently every night for 36 minutes, he could be a 20 and 15 guy and elevate his team to become playoff caliber.

David Aldridge of NBA.com emphasizes that players are better judged after their third season in the league because they have time to get accustomed to the grueling 82 game schedule, speed of the game, and the lifestyle that comes with being a professional athlete. DeMarcus Cousins has been judged as nothing more then an immature kid with a bad attitude. The Kings drafted him with the hope that he could develop into a dominant force in three years. He has, but not consistently enough due to his childish antics. It is time DeMarcus Cousins grew up and took the game and his professional career seriously to help the Kings take the next step. 

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin probably has the easiest of all the players on this list to become a superstar. He has a great leader and teammate in Chris Paul and the integration of Doc Rivers as a head coach does nothing but help him. Rivers is a demanding coach and in his days with the Celtics, he got the best out of every player. The Clippers and Blake Griffin should be no different. 

However, Chris Paul had an interesting quote when he signed his contract extension with the Clippers. He said that the team will go as far as Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will take them. Griffin has been nothing short of dazzling, with his high flying dunks. However, he has a reputation for being soft around the league, particularly when he got pushed around by the Grizzlies in the 2013 Playoffs in their first round exit.

For the Clippers to take the next step, Griffin must make his mid-range jumper more reliable and consistent. He must also become tougher and develop a post game so that he can be a reliable number two option and alleviate offensive pressure off of Chris Paul. The last thing any player with Griffin's talents and high ceiling wants to be known throughout his career is just a high flying dunker.

Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is a player who has always posted very respectable numbers throughout his career: 17ppg and 10 rpg in the regular season and 17ppg and 11rpg in the playoffs. However, since coming to Chicago, rather then continuing to be a beast in the paint, he has become a shell of his former self, with his points dipping to 12.6, 13.5, and 16.4 respectively in his first three postseasons as a Bull. 

With Derrick Rose as your superstar PG, it is understandable to become a little complacent. However, if the Bulls are to take the next step, Carlos Boozer must be the consistent offensive force he was in Utah, where his postseason numbers hovered around 20 and 12. He must demand the ball from Rose and his teammates and bully whoever is guarding him. Boozer is getting paid the big bucks and to truly deserve them, he must perform at a high level with fellow superstar Derrick Rose.

While Boozer has already hit his ceiling, the Bulls have not. They are looking to dethrone the defending champion Miami Heat. ESPN had a story on the Bulls, where third year player Jimmy Butler said that "when you think of three-peat, you think of Chicago and we can't let [the Heat three-peat]." There will be a lot of pressure on Derrick Rose after the media storm he caused during the end of the 2013 season and the Playoffs. However, Boozer must deliver consistently and in dominant fashion if Jimmy Butler and the Bulls' hopes of reaching the Finals is to be fulfilled. 

While there are so many more players that have glaring holes or weaknesses, these five have the potential (through developing physical and mental tools) to help their teams take the next steps. While some teams are looking to make the playoffs, others are yet looking to reach the Finals and become champions.

Regardless, if some changes are not made, all of that potential for greatness is wasted. Potential is the capability to reach the top, but each player and team must be willing to take that next step to realize it.

[frizzyboy5-blog]

Why OKC Lost its Thunder

October 28, 2012. 

It was not only the day the Houston Rockets got a bonafide superstar, but the day the Thunder went on a downward spiral towards mediocrity. 

Since October 28, 2012, the Rockets have been able to turn their franchise around. Not only did they make the playoffs after a four year drought, but Darell Morey managed to convince arguably one of the best centers in the league to join Harden and Chandler Parsons to make the Rockets a legitimate championship contender. 

For the Thunder, they received Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb among other pieces. THey also acquired Hasheem Thabeet via free agency from the Rockets. While Martin has always been an excellent shooter, he lacked the all around skills to contribute to the Thunder in any other ways. Jeremy Lamb is a developing shooting guard who is a long term project. Thabeet was projected to be a significant contributor in Memphis, but was traded after fizzling out of the rotations due to lack of offensive contributions and foul trouble. Both were ineffective in the 2013 playoffs.

The lack of depth and offensive production was glaringly obvious. While Kevin Durant led the Thunder past the Rockets in the first round, the defensive Grizzlies forced the Thunder to pay for a lack of 3 point shooters and good post play.

Martin ultimately left in free agency for the Timberwolves, leaving the Thunder with nothing but Hasheem Thabeet as compensation for the Harden deal. 

Alot of media analysts and insiders continue to count the Thunder as legitimate contenders. Many count on the ability of Westbrook and Durant to carry a team as enough to be a viable contender. 

As the Spurs and the Heat proved, it takes alot more then that. To complement superstars, franchises need to acquire quality role players to surround their players in a system that maximizes all of their talents, which the Thunder do not have.

So far it seems like the Thunder are pinning their hopes on a couple of factors: 

1. The return of Russell Westbrook to his athletic self. 

2. The development of Serge Ibaka into a legitimate post player and the development of Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb to become valuable contributors. 

3. The durability of Durant and Westbrook to hold up throughout the season and into the playoffs.

Russell Westbrook, while he may return to his athletic self (although only time will tell), has not proven to be a point guard who makes smart decisions consistently. He is a scoring guard who cannot lead an NBA offense and his score first mentality can be to the detriment of the team, particularly through his poor shot selection.

The development of role players such as Ibaka, Jackson, and Lamb is crucial for the Thunder. However, developing skills enough to be considered reliable and consistent takes many summers. Unfortunately for the Thunder, this does not bode well for them this season.

Next, the offensive limitations of Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefalosha make it difficult for Durant and Westbrook to isolate and score, raising questions about whether they will have enough in the tank come playoff time. Perkins, overpaid considering his inability to hit a jump shot, rebound, or score from the post, is inept on the floor and has seen his minutes decrease. Sefalosha, while an excellent defender, does not show anything beyond a perimeter shot in his scoring arsenal.

WIth a lack of offense from other sources on a consistent basis, Durant and Westbrook will look towards a long and grueling season trying to carry the Thunder.

The Thunder have also not consistently shown the ability to run a system. Numerous studies and articles around the sports world (Synergy Sports, NBA.com) have highlighted the fact that a majority of the Thunder offense comes from isolations rather then ball movement and man movement. 

While this approach may be enough to defeat .500 teams every other night, contenders learn to neutralize isolation offenses by exposing other weaknesses, such as a lack of 3 point shooting and post play by playing quasi-zone defenses.

Contending teams all have the ability to hurt teams from a number of different of positions and spots on the floor, such as the post, elbow, the wing, and even the paint. The Thunder only have the capability to hurt you with isolation plays. Teams will pick up on the lack of perimeter shooting and post offense and force role players to make decisions they aren't comfortable making. 

Furthermore, the lack of a post player and elite big man takes away from the Thunder's ability to hurt teams in the paint and from the post. Teams such as the Spurs, Rockets, Warriors, and Clippers will surely take advantage of these weaknesses. 

Finally, the ascension of many of the other teams into the upper echelon of the Western Conference makes things even more difficult. The Clippers got better with Doc Rivers as their new coach. With a healthy Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and a bevy of 3 point shooters, they are primed at the very least to run a good offensive system and make it to the second round. 

While they lost Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, the addition of Andre Igoudala and the development of Steph Curry, Harrison Barnes, and Klay Thomson along with the post play of David Lee helps Golden State become elite. Playoff experience from the 2013 Playoffs doesn't hurt either. 

The Spurs have managed to stave off father time, being 28 seconds from winning Game 6 of the Finals against Lebron and Co. Adding Belinelli and seeing Kawhi Leonard take the next step helps make the Big Three more dangerous. Good chemistry and the ever aggressive Tony Parker operating a pick and roll offense makes them even more dangerous. Oh, and they have the best coach in Gregg Popovich too.

With so many other teams taking a step forward, it is obvious that the Thunder are not in a position to make a deep playoff run. The toll on two superstars to carry a team throughout the season and playoffs through isolation plays is a heavy burden. Add to that the lack of player development and the lack of a system to get open shots and you have a team primed to be a middle of the pack playoff team.

While I'm sure the Thunder are not complaining, they certainly are not in a position to once again be in the NBA Finals. 

October 28, 2012 made sure of that. 

[frizzyboy5-blog]

What Basketball Means to Me

Basketball has defined itself as an integral sport in American culture since it's inception by Dr. James Naismith. Not only has the sport itself grown over the years in its popularity, but it's cultural impact and evolution in between the lines has been historical. From the greats such as Dr. J to Michael Jordan, Larry Bird to Bill Russell, the logo Jerry West to Lebron James, the sport has managed to spread itself and become popular in a multitude of cities and countries around the world to truly become an international sport. Cities, such as San Antonio and Oklahoma City, that never got any national attention are certainly on the map just for their basketball teams. 

Los Angeles has always been a hotspot for basketball, producing players such as Reggie Miller, Aaron Afflalo, and Jordan Farmar among many others. One of the most iconic franchises in NBA history calls Los Angeles its home, boasting 16 NBA championships and maintaining a championship pedigree through the accumulation of numerous NBA Hall of Famers. 

I never was a fan of the Lakers though. To me, they were just an egotistical and arrogant bunch who not only felt an entitlement to the title every year, but also had one of the ignorant (yet passionate) fan bases of all time (cough Miami cough Heat cough). To me, not only were my San Antonio Spurs the epitome of success professional sports, but were also an example of playing basketball the right way. Teamwork, defense, high basketball I.Q., and humility were qualities that I've always prized and that many teams claim to prize, yet which rarely ever pan out during the course of a season or a game. 

Basketball has always been an educator of sorts in that regard. What my Spurs symbolize for me is an attitude that can easily translate into my professional field. When I play at the YMCA, it is a goal of mine to encourage players to play the right way, to move the ball, to take smart and open shots, and to not repeat mistakes. Personally, all of those qualities are applicable to real life. I approach my legal environment in much the same way: treating others as equals and approaching situations with humility and a team first approach.

The influence of basketball extends beyond that. I have been privileged enough to coach basketball to kids who are starting to gain interest in playing. It is a goal of mine to ensure that I translate values to these kids to ensure that they grow up the right way and can accomplish their goals the right way. To work with kids is an ultimate joy. To see them succeed on and off the court is something that I cannot describe. 

Basketball is a vehicle for progress. To me, it brings out the best in individuals: competitive drive, teamwork, physical exercise, and motivation to succeed. These qualities help players overlook many cultural and political differences and focus on the bigger picture, as Bill Russell exemplified while playing the 1960s and 70s. 

This is why I have chosen to start this blog: because it provides me with an outlet to comment on and discuss the sport which means everything to me. It is a passion and a privilege to be able to play, watch, comment, and coach on the game and it is this passion which I hope to share with you in the coming weeks and months. 

Stay tuned!