Western Conference Finals Matchup

Sports Fans,

The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are in the conference finals...oh brother! The Lakers beat up on a weak Nuggets team and closed out the Jazz in 6 games...oooooo...Big effin deal.

The Spurs are again prepped to play for another ring. The team that looks like a bunch of real estate agents instead of a championship caliber basketball club is playing the Lakers for the 6th time in 9 years...YAYY...To tell you the truth, it would have been more fun watching CP3 break Kobe's ankles or watch Tyson Chandler dunk on Pau Gasol.

And after watching the Celtics give it to Detroit tonight, I am so not riled up for this game...but I digress...Lets get to the break down.

Point Guard

Tony Parker vs. Derek Fischer

I would say this is no brainer and give this right to TP, but Derek Fischer has this uncanny ability of getting wide open when it counts and hitting really big shots. The french guy has to be mindful of that during the series...and that's where it ends.

Parker is gonna fry Fischer. Because he just went toe to toe with arguably the best PG in the league in Chris Paul, Tony's playing on a pretty high level. There's no way Fischer will be able to keep up with this guy for 48 minutes.

Advantage: Spurs


Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant vs. Manu Ginobili

This is a tough call. I know Kobe's the best player in the world, but he perpetually has his hands full with Manu.

Kobe can take over, so can Manu

Manu can hit the clutch 3, so can Kobe

Kobe can create his own shot when nothings there, so can Manu

Manu's energy affects his teammates so they play better, so does Kobe's

Advantage: Tie


Small Forward

Bruce Bowen vs. Luke Walton

Both these guys are gonna pack their lunch and go to work. The difference is, only one of them will be a factor. Luke Walton is a hustle guy, but he doesn't put his team in a position to win, night in and night out, Bruce Bowen does.

We know Bowen won't guard Walton, he'll juggle Kobe and Odom assignments, play stellar defense, make key plays, and hit that corner three throughout the series.

Luke Walton...well, he'll be there.

Advantage: Spurs


Power Forward

Lamar Odom vs. Tim Duncan

.

Tim Duncan had some scoring challenges in the last round thanks to the different defensive schemes Hornets head coach Byron Scott threw at him. Regardless, Tim still showed up when it counted hitting key shots, and averaged double digit rebounds throughout the series. And if you didn't know, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson doesn't double team

Now, I'm not sold on Odom. I know he's playing really well and all, but LO hasn't been in the pressure cooker of the Western Conference Finals...or any type of Finals for that matter. Now he has to deal with Tim Duncan for the next week and a half.

I'd look for Odom to crumble under pressure and be relatively non existent, a non factor for this series; something he's done his whole career, come up short.

Advantage: Spurs

Center

Fabricio Oberto vs. Pau Gasol

Pau has big numbers against the Spurs this year (about 18 ppg), but that's the regular season. Before this spring, Gasol had ZERO post season experience. I don't believe he'll be able to continually match the intensity of battle tested Tim Duncan (You know Oberto isn't going to guard him!). Gasol won't fold, but I predict that he won't be able to make the right adjustments when it counts.

Oberto is 6 fouls and 5 boards a game. He's an energy guy, runs the floor well, and will be subbed for Kurt Thomas at the end of this blog.

Advantage: Lakers


Spurs Bench

This is a very deep and productive bench. Lets begin with Brent Barry. Like the rest of Rick's kids, Brent has a very high basketball IQ, never turns the ball over, and hits key shots in key situations.

Hey Mikey, I think he likes it!!! Michael Finley got a taste of winning last year and wants to do it again. Although he slipped in the rotation early in the playoffs, Finley's key three pointers in the second half of Game 7 vs. New Orleans helped the Spurs close the door on the Hornets.

Robert Horry is back...I bet you didn't notice how he cut his hair the way he had it his first two years in Houston (for the subtle impaired: He's making a statement). Big Shot Bob did just that in Game 7 of the New Orleans series and is looking to prove he still has it in the upcoming western showdown.

What can I say about Kurt Thomas? He's tough (New York and Miami professional upbringing), he can score (Billy Tubbs upbringing), and he's consistent (although he is prone to foul trouble).

This guy Ime Udoka can flat out play. The guy from everywhere with the Nigerian name slashes to the hoop, or can step out and bang the three. His mid range game and defense helped to bump him past Michael Finley in the rotation...that's pretty impressive. Look to see him collect fouls guarding Kobe, or reaching in on Lamar Odom during the series

Lakers Bench

Ronny Turiaf is a blue collar guy that can provide much needed front court toughness for the Lake Show IF he can keep his 250 lbs self on the court and out of STUPID foul trouble. Not much of an offensive threat though, he's shooting 42% percent from the field, and I'd like to think those shots were close to the basket.

If this guy can get it going, the Spurs will need to watch out, but the problem is, Jordan Farmar has probably been the most inconsistent Laker reserve this post season. Consider that the UCLA alum averaged almost 10 a game this past regular season and is now contributing 3.5 shooting 26% from the field. This would be a rotten time for San Antonio for Farmar to break out of that funk.

Vladamir Radmonovic...sorry man, but I don't believe you. Like other European ball players, they show promise and phenomenal talent in the regular season then disappear in the post season. Dirk did it this again this year, and Peja Stojakovic shot 3 for 11 for 7 points in the closeout loss to San Antonio. I don't know, maybe I'm just seeing things, but I don't think this guy is going to make much of an impact.

Bench Advantage: Spurs

At the end of the day, the Lakers have too little experience on their roster to get to the next level. Will they make it interesting, sure! But I believe the Lake Show gets too much credit just for being the Lakers. They have two players on their roster with extensive playoff experience and inconsistency plagues too many of their personnel.

Spurs in 6!

D-Con

Eastern Conference Matchup

Sports Fans,

I can't lie and say I wasn't praying to the NBA gods for this matchup, because I was. We love to say how the Eastern Conference has lost its edge, its intrigue, its aura...and largely we're right, but the 2008 playoffs have shown that the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast divisions have new life.

Enter Boston vs. Detroit, the remix! Since the days of Larry Joe and Isiah Lord, this bitter rivalry has since sweetened since the departure of each teams respective hall of famers, dud draft picks, injuries, and just plain ol bad basketball.

Albeit Detroit has rebuilt faster than Boston (thanks to former Bad Boy, Piston GM Joe Dumars),

the Pistons still haven't had that true Eastern Conference rival that fans could clearly choose a side with. Well now Motor City will have their contemporary and LIKE IT!

So lets break down the match-ups shall we?


Point Guard

Chauncey Billups vs. Rajon Rondo

Chancey Billups is banged up...really banged up. That hamstring injury won't hold up against Rondo, one of the faster guards in the league. However, Chauncey may not have to guard him. They may switch Tayshawn Prince to cover that assignment, matching Billups with slower, and unproductive Ray Allen.

Rondo wasn't very consistent during the Cleveland series and is too young to deal with the pressure of a late game situation, so I don't know how he'll deal with Eastern Conference Finals type scenarios.

What it really comes down to is, which pg will hit the shot their team needs them to hit? Even though Rondo has done it this playoff series, Chauncey has made 46 million off of those types of shots.

Advantage: Detroit


Shooting Guard

Ray Allen vs. Rip Hamilton

Okay, not gonna spend much time here...

Ray Allen totalled the following points in the last three playoff games

Game 5: 11 (4 for 11)

Game 6: 9 (3 for 8)

Game 7: 4 (1 for 6)

He averaged 9.3 per game, shot 32% from the field, and 16% from beyond the arc in the Eastern Semi Finals.

Rip Hamilton totalled the following points in the last three playoff games

Game 3: 24 (7 for 20)

Game 4: 32 (12 for 24)

Game 5: 31 (7 for 20)

Ray will have to chase his fellow alum all day...Rip never gets tired and plays just like Latrell Sprewell (Pre-New York). He never gets tired, his mid-range game is all day, and he'll rip you for 25 and you won't even know it. Any questions?

Advantage: Detroit


Small Forward

Tayshaun Prince vs. Paul Pierce

The owner of TripleOT Sports, Oz Jones is a DIE HARD Kentucky fan, so I have no problem throwing another former Wildcat under the bus.

Tayshaun, you've got no chance against this guy. The Truth is too good and is playing at a very high level right now. Last year, you had your hands full with LeBron, Paul just gave him 41...Imagine what he's going to give you!

Granted, Tayshaun Prince is an above average defender with a nice mid-range game, bit of a streak shooter (That's that Kentucky in him), and looks good coming off a backscreen for an easy lay up, or alley oop. But this guys gonna have his hands full guarding one of the leagues most prolific scorers.

Advantage: Boston


Power Forward

Kevin Garnett vs. Rasheed Wallace

I know Rasheed's been starting at center this postseason, but eff it!!! This is the key matchup for this series!!!

Of course it's marquee (we've been simulating this head to head since these guys were playable on NBA Live 95!). But these games aren't going to be pretty... they're gonna be won on second chance points, points in the paint, and offensive rebounds. KG and Sheed will have to show fundamental big man skill to get their teams over the proverbial hump. That's where things get interesting.

Rasheed Wallace doesn't like to go down low, especially LATE IN THE GAME and he's averaging 6.5 rebounds this playoff series. Truth be told, he'd rather patrol the perimeter, like he's Steve Kerr and shoot 3's. Also, Wallace doesn't want to be the hero, and shies away from big plays.

KG is different, he's the Defensive Player of The Year, he knows he's the man, and doesn't mind the ball when it counts. Not only is he averaging 20 per to Wallace's 13.9, he's averaging 10 boards per game too.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes Garnett fades out to that 3pt corner too...buttttttt, he has kept his seven foot frame in the paint when its counted in the previous two series.

Advantage: Boston


Center

Jason Maxiell vs. Kendrick Perkins

Here's the big news....It's about even, ok? Whaddayawantme to say???

Advantage: Tie


Bench

Celtics Role Players

Ok, here's where it gets interesting again. Boston Celtics Head Coach, Doc Rivers has basically spent the entire year working on the development of his role players. Honest to say, he's done a pretty damn good job.

If I need James Posey off the bench, I know the Celtics do. He guards your 1, 2, or 3, can rebound, and hit the three. Not a bad spark.

PJ Brown hit some big effin shots during the last series. Quite honestly, I don't think he minds the mood out there.

Leon Powe is a BALL PLAYER! If this guy can keep himself out of foul trouble this series, look out!

Sam Cassell can be either asset or liability depending on his ability to hit the mid range jay. I mean the dude doesn't play any defense, so if he's not scoring what's the point?

Detroit Role Players

Ok, Detroit's already got one of the deepest benches in the league. Rodney Stuckey is emerging and plays both ends of the floor well. By the way, he's 6 foot 5, so he matches up well with Boston's big guards and small forwards.

Antonio McDyess wants a ring NOW! In the closeout game against Orlando, he gave them 17 and 11. In the previous game, he only had 8 points, but brought down 14 rebounds. You get the feeling that this guy wants to win?

Like Boston's Sam Cassell, the Pistons' have their own resident Wiley Veteran in Lindsay Hunter. The difference between the two: Hunter plays D!


Advantage: Detroit


At the end of the day, Detroit may be a bit much for Boston. Consider that the Celtics have learned to play together during THIS season; the Pistons have been playing together, and in tough situations, for about 5 years. Although talent may favor Boston, the Pistons will be able to identify and overcome challenges as they get late in the game. The longer the series, the more the outcome will favor Detroit.

Can't wait!


D-Con

Daaayummm!!!

I guess the AK-47 will always be detrimental to the growth of Los Angeles...

























Andrei Kirilenko 180 slam on LO, and 1...


You know how you know something is coming, but you aint see it for a minute, so you start thinking that it aint coming, but you keep waiting, and waiting, until you just go forget about it, it's not gonna happen. Then, when you reach for that remote, or decide to go to the bathroom, or decide to refill on chips or grab that brew in the kitchen...it happens.



























LeBron James past Paul Pierce, the in and out on James Posey, the posterization of Kevin Garnett.


D-Con

SpoofGate

The Story

The NFL received tapes, according to former New England Patriots Asst. Coach, and current New York

Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini, containing images of the St. Louis Rams football club performing practice excercises prior to SuperBowl XXXVI.


Said tapes were clandestinely produced by a video team employed by unidentified personnel within the New England Patriots organization.


Upon receipt and review of the tapes, NFL Commisioner, Roger Goodell fined the Patriots and destroyed the items.


Pennsylvania Senator, Arlen Specter (and known Philadelphia Eagles fan), questioned this move and conducted a personal inquiry regarding this matter, and had subsequent conversations with Goodell; however, since the tapes were destroyed, investigations were stalled.


Prior to Super Bowl Sunday, former Patriots' Video Assistant Matt Walsh claimed to have corraborative evidence that New England did indeed tape the St. Louis Rams practice before Super Bowl XXXVI.


However, before any evidence was submitted, Walsh requested certain protections from lawsuits or any legal backlash his story would possibly create.


After working out legal details, Walsh, and the NFL agreed to meet on May 8th. Eight separate tapes were submitted to the NFL for review.



The tapes, chronicaling games from 2000-2002 showed AFC opponents (Cleveland, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego and Pittsburgh) hand signals. Out of the 8 tapes, none contained the St. Louis Rams walkthrough practices prior to Super Bowl Sunday.

The Reaction

So, let me get this straight: Eric Mangini reported NE to the NFL, Arlen Specter gets involved, Roger Goodell fines the Pats, speaks to Specter and puts this thing to bed. And here comes Matt Walsh with new evidence, requests legal protection, only to show us HAND SIGNALS???

Matt...You mean to tell me that you got every Patriot Hater lickin their chops, ready to call out Belichick, and Bob Kraft only to present this bull$%#!? Stolen signals that every NFL team, hell...every sports organization is guilty of???

Mr. Walsh, this little stunt is equivalent to those X-Ray glasses my dad used to send for in the mail, discontinued sneakers in the EastBay catalog, or the empty feeling kids get when they find out there's no such thing as Santa Claus.

This is your 15 minutes isn't it? Your name in every reputable sports magazine, on every SportsCenter broadcast...$%#*, even my cockamaymee blog is attributing to your measly fame!!!

For what??? Hand signals...Motha effin signs!!! You got legal protection and the hopes up of every football fan, that doesn't root for the Patriots, with images of a third string quarterback flashing digits to the field.

Matt Walsh, you are the JACKASS of The Week!!!


D-Con

Honorable Mention












Utah Jazz Fans












Richie Sexson











Ozzie Guillen

5 Reasons Why Kobe Deserves the MVP Award

Let me start off by saying I am not a Kobe Bryant fan. I AM FROM NEW YORK, and take great pride that Alan Houston, aka Method Man, gave Kobe 50 TWICE in the same season. I also have strong ties with Philadelphia, and know the golden rule in that city: "You Do Not Make A Name For Yourself Playing At A Catholic School. " You're supposed to play in public school or the "Pub." That's why Philly fans boo him and will always dislike him.


However, I have great respect for the man, and despite his STUPID rap album, STUPID tattoo (I still need him to explain that) and STUPID move in Colorado (Dude, your wife is so hot, and you had an affair with HOUSEKEEPING???) , he's one of the greatest basketball players of our lifetime and I'm proud to say that I saw him play. So there!



5. He's The Best Player in The League

This is the most obvious reason. Aside from Tim Duncan aka The Pharoah and LeBron James, Kobe does whatever he wants on the basketball court. No perimeter defender is safe when #24 has the ball, and he can outscore your whole team if you're not careful.






4. Shaquille O'Neal Took All His Thunder in LA.

Chris Jackson at LSU, Anfernee Hardaway in Orlando, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles; The Daddy will overshadow you and make you look expendable or in this case, less valuable. Shaq won the Finals MVP all three championship years and won regular season MVP in '99-'00 despite Kobe's 21.1, 29.4 and 26.6 ppg playoff average.

3. He Shut Up.

Lets not forget that just this November, the Lakers franchise was in a state of flux; a championship was out of the question, supporting cast members like Lamar Odom hadn't panned out, and Kobe wanted...no, demanded to be traded. He wanted to go to Chicago, he made demands on radio shows, waah, waah, waah! As the season rolled on, Kobe grew into a better teammate, and because of this, unlike earlier in the season, is now on a championship caliber ball club.

2. Kobe's The Most Dominant Player At His Position.

You can make the argument for Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, and Michael Redd, butttt then again not really. Kobe Bryant has a higher career average than all four players, has been named to the All NBA Team 9 times (Among the guards named, only T-Mac has more than 3 nominations with 6). And the dude plays D! Kobe has been a lock for All Defensive First or Second team for 7 of the past 8 years.

1. Steve Nash didn't Deserve One of Those Awards.

okokok, we know Steve Nash, aka Ringo Starr deserved the honor during the '05 campaign, butttt I don't know about the '06 season. Consider that during the 2006 season, Kobe outscored the Dallas Mavericks by himself (62-61) and went crazy on Toronto for EIGHTY ONE points. Kobe averaged 43.4 points in January of 2006 and scored 45 or more in FOUR consecutive games. By the end of the season, all Bryant did was lead the league in 40+ games (27), points (2832), ppg (35.4) and he willed The Lakers to the playoffs. And at the end of the day, KB finished 4th in MVP voting...talk about robbery!


So after 12 seasons, Kobe has finally received his trophy. What's even sweeter is that he's playing for another championship; a championship, said by most critics, that would define his career (Oh, and the previous three don't count because??? Oh yeah, Shaq won those by himself). Quite simply the guy is money, and you would want him on your team, wouldn't you? That, to me, makes him pretty damn valuable. Take a bow Mr. Bryant, you've earned it.


D-Con

Bring It

Guys,

You know ya'll scared the $%#* out of us over the weekend!

The road WILL get rough...Make us proud.


D-Con

The Chopping Block

Sports Fans,

Avery Johnson got bounced this week after the Dallas Mavericks exited in the first round for the second time in as many years. Personally, I have NO CLUE why this fell on AJ's head???

All he did was take a panty-waist team, that got smacked around by tougher teams, NEVER played defense, and turned them into a well rounded club, playing both sides of the floor and led them to the NBA Finals since the first time in, in, in...as a matter fact...they never went to the Finals before AJ took them over.

Johnson changed the way Maverick basketball was played. Although the team was already a perpetual post-season lock, he gave the Mavs HEART! He made Dirk Nowitzki get his hands dirty; he made Jason Terry get on the fastest opposing point guard; and if Devin Harris makes it to the All-Star game in the next few years, he needs to send Avery a bouquet of flowers.

Mark Cuban, you are the JACKASS of the week. Instead of addressing the holes in your club (a guard that can defend the speedy little men of the west, or a big man with some heart AND skills), you deleted the best player in your organization.

I guess the real question now is: Who do you hire now?

D-Con