"From Rivals To Team Mates..."

The Biggest free agent off season time in history happened in July 2010. With Over 8 All Stars all free agents, with many people speculating where every one was going to go the most watched, always the most watched was Lebron James. He met with the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers (His current team at the time), The Miami Heat, The Los Angles Clippers and The Chicago Bulls. Now Many people who I had spoke to and experts seemed to think Lebron was destined for New York or Chicago, I personally though that he and Dwyane Wade were going to team up but it would be at New York or Chicago. 


When Amar'e Stoudemire went to New York, I knew Lebron only had 1 of two destinations and none of them involved Cleveland, it was either Miami or Chicago. Now the people in Cleveland don't have a right to be mad for me, look at Lebron James he's won MVP's, he's been an all star won a gold medal but all those awards and prizes and no championship ring. Lebron wants to have an NBA legacy like Magic Johnson, like Michael Jordan, like Larry Bird, like Kobe Bryant will have. He was at Cleveland for 7 years and the last two years the same thing happened they have the best record in the league but it came to play off time and the support cast didn't deliver when it mattered. Lebron needs help if he wants to be winning championships.


Which is why he's moved to miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh two All Stars, now he will have to adapt his game and so will they to fit in with each other but with Dwayne Wade and Bosh watching his back LBJ may finally finally get that ring that he so deserves.


A x

"Nba 2010 Playoffs..."

So its come to that time in the NBA Season it's playoff time. It's gonna be interesting to see how the teams do this time around, a lot of teams are playing well going in to the post season.




Round 1 Match Ups


L.A. Lakers (Record 57-25) vs Oklahoma City (50-32)

This year after last season, I think a lot of people including my self expected the Lakers to dominate the league and look like number 1 favorites in the playoffs. Well this clearly hasn't happened the Lakers have been some what indifferent this year, losing to teams they should have been beating. Not to mention being dominated by the Cavs twice and I mean completely dominated off the court. Never the less they've been here before and I think they should come out of this series with a win. Having said that you can't deny the talent of this young Oklahoma Team, with Kevin Durant being the youngest player to win the scoring title in your team you've always got a chance. What the Thunder (Oklahoma) have done is proved from last year greatly I believe they will not make it easy for the Lakers, I can see this going to 7 games. I think the Lakers will just edge it though.


Prediction : Lakers win series 4-3

Dallas Mavericks (55-27) vs San Antonio Spurs (50-32) 


For this 1st round match up I think the Dallas Mavericks will probably win this one again I think it will be a tough match up for them because the Spurs may not be the team they were when they won the championship a few years ago but they are a very experienced team, guys like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have all been there and done it before. I say that but not discounting guys like Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki who are very experienced and have been to the play offs before and know what its all about.


Prediction: Dallas win series 4-1




Phoenix Suns (54-28) Vs Portland Trail Blazers (50-32)

My Team the Suns have looked really good going in the post season, they have looked strong with the bench contributing well in the games running up to the post season. If the suns want to be successful they need to have the bench contributing when they are called upon. They can't not just rely on Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire. As for the Blazers I'm not too sure how long Brandon Roy is going to be out for I heard it wasn't that long but he is a vital player for them and they will need him if they are going to beat the suns in this series. I think the suns will take this one but again I don't think it will be easy. 


Prediction: Phoenix win series 4-2




Denver Nuggets (53-29) vs Utah Jazz (53-29)


This first round match up I'm not sure which way I can call this, I mean their records speak for themselves. They have equal records I see strengths and weaknesses in both sides. If I had to pick I'd say Denver have a slight edge because of the Melo Man (Carmelo Anthony) He is a player that is built for the big stage and always seems to come alive. Last years playoffs he was fantastic and they were unluckly to go out to the Lakers. I think the Nuggets will shady this one in a tight series.

Prediction: Denver win series 4-3




Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21) vs Chicago Bulls (41-41)


King James and the Cavs must be the favorite for the playoffs they have the best record in the league and have dominated teams like the Lakers and Celtics. This year may just be the year for Lebron and the Cavs some how I just don't see any team beating them at all. As for the bulls they have shown heart to fight back in to the position to get in the the playoffs. They have had some massive wins the last few games including defeating a Cavs team minus Lebron James of course. I see the cavs sweeping the Bulls but I do expect each game to only be a couple of points difference.

Prediction: Cleveland win series 4-0




Orlando Magic (59-23) vs Charlotte Bobcats (44-38)


Orlando are one of the few teams that I think can challenge the Cavs, Dwight Howard is playing better than he was last season and they ended up knocking out the Cavs. Jameer Nelson is back and playing some sensational Basketball, as well as the old pro Vince Carter who you know can do it when it matters. The Bobcats with the new found ownership of Michael Jordan have a spring in there step but I can't see them being able to turn the magic over, The Magic just seem too strong for me


Prediction: Orlando win series 4-1




Atlanta Hawks (53-29) vs Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)


The Atlanta Hawks are a team i don't think any one wants to play they are tough defensive team with Josh smith and on offense they have weapons like Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford off the bench is another weapon they have in their locker. I think the Bucks will put up a fight but the Hawks I'm expecting to take this one and I expect them to surprise a few teams this year.

Prediction: Atlanta win series 4-0




Boston Celtics (50-32) vs Miami Heat (47-35) 

This will be an interesting match up the Celtics have been very poor this year by their own standards, and I have to be honest despite they talent they possess I believe Miami will steal this series from them. Kevin Garnett has not been him self this year, but will Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce you always have a chance. What is sure is that the Heat are lookign stronger than last year Michael Beasley is looking good, Jermaine O'Neal as well. Not forgetting the All Star Dwyane Wade I can see him taking over this series if the Celtics don't get off to a good start.


Prediction: Miami wins series 4-3




Those are my 1st round predictions let me know your thoughts.




Peace


A x

"It's About That Time.."

Well its almost Post season time in the NBA and that means two things, Playoffs and End of season awards. There are two awards for me that stand out in particular this year for me mainly because of the candidates up for both these awards, let me start with "Rookie Of The Year".

Rookie Of The Year

Tyreke Evans - 

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
63	37.3	20.3	5.2	5.6	1.4	0.4	.460	.254	.748

 
Evans has a fan in one opponent -- Kobe Bryant. After escaping Sacramento with a 106-99 win Tuesday night, Kobe praised his fellow Philly native, who just missed his second career triple-double but still tallied his fourth straight double-double. "I think Tyreke is a grown man," Bryant said. "I might be a little bit biased because he is from Philadelphia. Philly guys have an all-around game and that's just how it is."

Stephen Curry - 

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
66	35.9	16.4	4.2	5.5	1.8	0.2	.461	.424	.884

 
There's one aspect to Curry's game he knows he needs to work on -- knocking down the clutch shots. In the Warriors' 124-121 loss to the Lakers on Monday, Curry put up big numbers (29 points and nine assists), but came up short with the game on the line. With Golden State down three with a chance to tie, Curry -- who had hit 5 of 8 3-pointers -- missed an open trey to tie the game. After the game, Curry "It's something Kobe had to work at, and you see where he's at now," Curry said in the San Francisco Chronicle. "I'm not saying he and I are both going to be shooting 90 percent on game-winners, but I'll definitely work on it and get more comfortable with taking big shots."

Darren Collison - 

G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3P%	FT%
62	25.9	11.2	2.4	5.4	1.0	0.1	.461	.356	.840

When it comes to this rookie class, there's no shortage of speed. Denver's Ty Lawson, Dallas' Rodrigue Beaubois, Portland's Patty Mills (who hasn't seen much playing time after an early injury) would all have to be in the discussion. But Collison says there's no debate -- he's the fastest among ALL players. Collison had this to say in the most recent issue of HOOP magazine: "I definitely think I'm the fastest player. I got a chance to watch Ty Lawson's game and he is probably up there. I'd definitely say I'm the fastest." For the record, Knicks point guard Toney Douglas was the fastest rookie in pre-Draft workouts -- according to DraftExpress -- while Collison was fourth behind Texas forward Damion James (who backed out of the draft) and Mills.

All via www.Nba.com

Those for me are your top 3 picks, I believe Tyreke Evans will win Rookie of the year with Steph Curry running him close.

Peace

A x

"Michael Jordan - New Charlotte Bobcats Owner"

Michael Jordan is the new owner of the Bobcats, I think this can only be a positive move for the bobcats who are a very promising team.



Peace

A x

"Happy Birthday To The Greatest Player To Ever Play The Game"

Today its Michael Jordan's 47th Birthday I'd like to wish him a happy birthday and post some of the moments that made him great....

The last video says it all 38 and he dropped 51 points in a game, he's simply the best

A x

"2010 The Year Of The King?!"

Today was the begging of training camp for most of the teams in the NBA, this means new prospects for the season and renewed hope for all the teams. One in particular will be the Cleveland Cavaliers who got all the way to the eastern conference finals last year against the Orlando Magic and ended up losing out. One man that might be seeing this as his last year in Cleveland is the one and only Lebron James, rumors having being going around for a long time that after this season he will be going to The New York Knicks. I think that last year when it came time for the other players to deliver and step up like Lebron was doing in the tough games against Orlando, at times Cleveland went through periods where only LJ would score points. I think the addition of Shaq is a big plus as he showed last year for my team the Suns he put up some very impressive numbers and showed every one he's not finished!

This year could be very interesting, I expect Cleveland to get to the playoffs with no problem what will be interesting is whether the addition of the the big Shaqtus will pay off for them in the post season, I certainly think that it made LJ want to stay at Cleveland for one more season. Thats competitive drive he has to be the best fueled him to win the M.V.P last year and now he wants a championship ring to go with it.

After all can a player ever be considered one of the greatest if they never win a championship ring?

Its gonna be a very interesting season and I can't wait to see how Cleveland do and LJ and Shaq work together, hopefully for me they will prang out at the play offs again and the suns can actually deliver this time and do something special!

Till next time x

"Where Greatness Happens.."

2009 will go down as the year that Michael Jordan was finally officially (even though we all know he is great besides this) given greatness status. Now you could induct Michael Jordan in to the NBA Hall Of Fame with Eddie Jones and Allen Iverson (no disrespect to these two players) and it would cause you to sit up and pay attention. So when you induct him with fellow Dream Teamers David Robinson and John Stockton, along with coach Jerry Sloan, you have to wonder if there ever will be a class as good as this one.

Obviously this isn't no easy claim to make and its impossible to compare players of different eras as the game has evolved over the years and there's no way to compare the game now to the game of 10, 20 years ago. For example the 3-point shot wasn't instituted until 1979 and international players didn't start making an impact until recently.

In his prime David Robinson would probably schooled a young George Mikan in a game of one-on-one. But Mikan was the league's first star. Jordan was the greatest player ever, but he may not have been the showman that he was had it not been for the influence of Julius Erving. And though Stockton and Derrick Rose aren't that far apart in the basketball timeline, their games have few similarities.

When it comes to impact though this class stands on its own no other Hall Of Fame class have scored more points, won more championships and had Michael Jordan leading them.

Simply put Michael Jordan is the bench mark the "Gold Standard" if you like, he is the reason for Kobe Bryant's Mannerism's on court, he is the reason Lebron James wearing number 23. He was the man that dominated marketing of sports athletes before Tiger Woods.

Some players are naturally gifted, some players work hard to make the most of their abilities, some players are naturally athletic and some work to be, some are brilliant and some are fake, some end up Great and others forgotten.

Michael Jordan did it all, he had it all and he is and will for ever be remembered as the Greatest Basketball player to ever have graced the game. He was responsible for popularizing basketball in the 90's, down to his sure brilliance and excitement he brought to every game.

His greatest Top 10 Final Plays....



Simply put Michael Jordan is the greatest player I have ever seen play and its only fitting that he is inducted to the Hall Of Fame.

'These are mine, what are your Top 5'

Top 5 Movies -:

1. The Godfather
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. The Godfather II
4. Goodfellas
5. Pulp Fiction


Top 5 Albums -:

1. Nas - Illmatic
2. Michael Jackson - Thriller
3. Dr Dre - 2001
4. Tupac Shakur - All Eyes On Me
5. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool

Top 5 Songs -:

1. Boogie Down Productions - The Bridge Is Over
2. Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg - Nuthin But A G Thang
3. Nas - Rewind
4. N.W.A - Dopeman
5. Ice Cube - It Was a Good Day

Top 5 Sporting Hero's -:

1. Michael Jordan
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Francesco Totti
4. Roger Federer
5. Andy Cole

What are yours people comment let me know......

'Winning in the mind is the key to winning on the court'

I was saying yesterday that I found it hard to change my position in basketball from small forward to point guard, but today I had the biggest break through. I was playing in a small warm up kind of game and everything just fell in to place everything I had been working on had paid off and I never felt so comfortable playing as a point guard before. Two things Inspired me, watching old videos of Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas inspired me too keep going and when even these videos couldn't keep my head up, my number one, my closest I don't wanna say friend cause she's more that that to me any way Gina helped me and believed in me and for that I'll be ever grateful to her.

This is just the beginning for me, I'm gonna go harder and train harder and keep going till I'm starting in that team and playing like a superstar!

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.~Colin Powell

I'm a winner and I will always strive to be the best at anything I do!!

The 'Golden Era'

What I always think people fail to realise is that things always change and Hip Hop is never gonna be same from 1989 to 2009. Its always going to change and people get stuck in the ways and think because things aren't how they used to be Hip Hop is dead?
This is the biggest load of sh*t I've ever heard real Hip Hop fans will realise there are artists out there that still speak to the people and represent the connection that Hip Hop has with people. When I think of the 'Golden Era' of Hip Hop so to speak so many names come to mind N.W.A, Grandmaster Flash and The furious five, Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J, Run D.M.C, Public Enemy, The Fugees, Dj jazzy jeff and The fresh prince, The beastie boys, jay Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Sugar Hill Gang and so many more. No doubt this was a hall of fame era of hip hop but remember that hip hop was just setting off and it was a fresh new sound that nobody had ever heard before.
These days people think hip hop is dead because the sound isn't the same and mc's are talking about money, cars and h*es. Some mc's are but I can make a case for many mc's that in this day and age are what Dr Dre was to people back then. Hip hop has evolved from the 80s and has changed and I think for the better. People that say hip hop is dead do not never had and never will understand hip hop, its not just music, its not just about money, status or bling as that douche bag from Oasis said. Hip hop is a way of life and any massive hip hop fan would tell you the same.
Recently I've been training hard to learn a new position so I can join the University basketball team, I've found it a struggle changing from a position I've grown up with and trying to switch to another. Its not going to be easy but with enough training and enough hard work I believe I can get it. If you think about the 'Golden Era' in basketball you have to look no further than the 1992 USA Olympic Dream Team that consisted of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Christian Laettner out of these 12 players 10 are in the hall of fame.
Basically I look at this time in basketball and inspires me every time I feel like giving up or I can't play this position, it gives me exactly what I need at a troubled time....hope!