Notes on the NBA

During the course of the NBA season I'll be offering my insights on the league about things I think are interesting or things I think may have gone unnoticed. Ususally, they'll be on one specific team and will be posted on talkhoops.net's Eight Second Violation section, a portion of the website that is updated daily. My first observations, posted today on the website, are on the Lakers and their dominance during their first two games.

Notes on the Lakers:

After the Lakers routed both the Portland Trailblazers and the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the most surprising things about the Lakers this season has been their defense. They’re only allowing 77.5 points per game and a measly 36.4 percent from the field – and they’re doing it by playing long stretches of good, solid defense. There have been six separate occasions just in their first two games where they have held their opponent scoreless for longer than three minutes resulting in runs of 8-0, 10-0, 9-0, 17-0, 10-0 and 12-0. What’s more impressive is the fact that one of the Lakers 10-0 runs and their 17-0 run against the Clippers came while their second units were on the floor during the second quarter of each game.

The depth of this team has also made Kobe Bryant quietly more dangerous. It seems ironic because Bryant is only averaging 19.5 points per game and only attempting 14.5 shots a night. Great scorers are always itching to go off and this season, it isn’t going to take much to set Bryant off. It seems Bryant is only going to put up big numbers when he needs to or when he is given a reason to – like he was in the third quarter against the Blazers. Going into the third Bryant had only scored six points, but after a hard foul by Portland’s Joel Przybilla, Bryant rattled off 17 of his team high 23 points in a 9:11 span. Look forward to short, quiet scoring binges at random times and during crunch time from Bryant all season.

Not expected: No one expected Trevor Ariza to play this well this early. He seems to be completely comfortable in the offense and his teammates are very comfortable with him on the floor. Also, he’s shot very well from behind the arch where he was two for two on opening night and two for three against the Clippers. If Ariza can keep up the hot shooting the Lakers bench could potentially be one of the most productive benches in NBA history with Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic all playing well too.

Something to consider: This trend obviously will not continue during the course of the season, but the Lakers are averaging 11 different scorers per game after their first two. In their game against the Blazers, nine different Lakers scored at least five points and Chris Mihm came in and pick up two points at the end of the game. Against the Clippers, all 12 Lakers who suited up contributed at least four points to their 117-79 victory.

No on Prop 8

As an aspiring journalist I've grown to learn that without the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, I basically have nothing. I love my freedom of speech, my right to peacefully assemble, my right to petition the government and my right to practice any religion I like. The First Amendment is probably the only great thing about this country outside of the NBA.

On November 4^th (or earlier if you're voting absentee like me), we all will have the opportunity to have our voices heard and we'll have some pretty important decisions to make, especially out here in California. On the ballot this year, there is a Proposition in line set to take away some of our most fundamental rights as citizens. Proposition 8, if passed, will take away a minority group's First Amendment right of freedom of expression.Taking away the rights of gay and lesbian citizens is just the first step in taking away the rights from the rest of us. If one can say that the First Amendment doesn't apply to those who aren't heterosexual, who's going to stop them from saying that the First Amendment doesn't apply to me? If we can't fight for their rights now, there will be no one to fight for ours later. This isn't about whose religion says what, it's about interpreting the constitution the right way. Let's all grow up and do the right thing. Gay and lesbian couples are not going to stop you from practicing your religion. Your priest or pastor is not going to have to perform gay or lesbian ceremonies – and most importantly, your children are NOT going to be taught gay marriage in public schools. Hell, they don't even teach regular marriage in public schools.

I think it's imperative that we, as a state, make the right decisions when voting just days from now. When we look at the underlining of Proposition 8, we have to consider everything that minority groups have had to go through in the past. African Americans had to struggle just to become citizens in this country. Women had to struggle just to have the right to vote. 18 year old men had to fight for the right to vote while they were being sent off to wars and now we think it's a good idea to say that men and women don't have the right to marry who they want to marry.

Obviously, a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman isn't the "traditional" marriage, but really, who gives a shit? In a society where the number of "traditional" divorces per year consistently hovers around 1,000,000, why should we be worrying about gay and lesbian couples tying the proverbial knot? More importantly, who decided that banning certain groups from being married is constitutional?

We live in a country where the citizens have the wrong idea about how this country was founded. We tend to assume that this country was built on Christianity when it clearly states in our constitution that this country was built on the freedom of religion – which also means the freedom from religion. As U.S. citizens, we have just as much a right to not practice Christianity as we do, so why should the union of two people who feel they are in love be based upon one particular religion's views? The short answer is, it shouldn't. As much as one might not like the idea of a gay or lesbian union, it's unconstitutional to revoke the right to marry from anyone.

Become media literate, read something and go out and vote. Stop feeding the bullshit, starve all of it. This shouldn't be a controversial issue. It's 2008.

Quick questions

I was just reading this book I have to write an essay on by Monday and for some reason I just started thinking about these two questions (which have nothing to do with the book or have everything to do with the book).

What is the purpose of having a good heart within such a cold world?

What purpose would it serve to conform to the coldness of this world?

Tomorrow Night

I can't wait for my favorite holiday, the NBA's opening night. It's the only night of the year where I'm strictly opposed to working (yes, I'll be skipping class tomorrow night). We'll have a TNT double header with the evil ass Boston Celtics taking on the Cleveland Caviliers in the first game and the Portland Trailblazers traveling to Los Angeles to play all that is good in basketball, the Lakers. I can't wait! It's the most wonderful time of the year.

NBA Predictions

On Monday, Talkhoops.net will have their annual predictions round table. It will feature all of our writers' opinions on who will win the various NBA awards and who will win it all. I just though I'd post all of my predictions on here. Agree or disagree, these are my thoughts on this up coming season.

Post your predictions too!

(note: I've also been writing some individual team previews on the website too. Be sure to check out talkhoops.net for all of the team previews and some fantasy basketball articles too.)

MVP- Kobe Bean Bryant
His scoring average may come down, but field goal percentage, assists and steals could go up. Oh, and wins too.

Most Improved- Mike Conley Jr.
He was playing great at the end of the season and has a couple of scoring threats who should help his assist total rise.

6th Man- Rodney Stuckey
Stuckey had a great season last year and he’s going to be a huge reason the Pistons stay a part of the Eastern Elite.

Defensive Player of the Year- Ron Artest
He’s playing on a good team, he’s one of the best parameter defenders since Pippen and he’s in a contract year.

Coach of the Year- Nate McMillan
I know Jerry Sloan seems like popular choice for reasons I don’t understand. Portland can increase their win total by 10 and the media already loves this team.

Rookie of the Year- Rudy Fernandez
I’ve been waiting for this. That’s why he’ll win.

All NBA 1st team (5 guys)
Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan

All Rookie 1st team (5 guys)
Derrick Rose
Eric Gordon
Brandon Rush
Michael Beasley
Mareese Speights (He’s played well in Dalember’s absence.)

All Defensive 1st team (5 guys)
Note: I wanted to just write Dylan (from Da Band) for all five spots.
Bruce Bowen
Ron Artest
Shane Battier
Kevin Garnett
Marcus Canby

Team with best record- Boston Celtics
Anyone who thinks the Lakers are going to win 60+ games this year hasn’t been watching Western Conference basketball for the last decade.

Team with worst record- Oklahoma City Thunder
Because Stone Cold said so

Biggest surprise team- Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are going to be markedly better this season. They could very well finish second or third in the East this season.

Most disappointing team- Utah Jazz
There are very high expectations for this team that will not be met because Carlos Boozer is overrated.

1-8 Playoff seeds for each conference

Eastern Conference
1. Celtics
2. Pistons
3. Philadelphia
4. Orlando
5. Cleveland
6. Toronto
7. Miami
8. Chicago?

Western Conference
1. Lakers
2. Houston
3. Utah
4. New Orleans
5. San Antonio
6. Portland
7. Phoenix
8. Dallas

ECF Prediction (Celtics over Pistons)
I’m hesitant to pick any other two Eastern Conference teams. No one else in the East has proved that they can win in the playoffs.

WCF Prediction (Lakers over Rockets)
Tracy McGrady will finally get out of the first round, but there is no way he’s going to stop Kobe from getting back to the Finals.

Finals Prediction (Lakers over Celtics)
Southern California and Boston basketball fans are giddy just thinking about a rematch. Honestly though, this could go either way. Don’t count out the Celtics just because the Lakers have Andrew Bynum (sigh).

Rookie Bust- D.J. Augustine
Everyone is in love with this kid, the Bobcats will make a huge mistake when they trade Felton away.

Best 2nd Round Pick- Luc Mbah a Moute
His pre-season numbers: 31 rebounds; 11 assists; 11 steals. Who cares how much he’s scored (8.3 ppg, but who’s counting?). Everyone needs a utility guy like Mbah a Moute.

Coach first to be fired- P.J. Carlesimo
Quoting talkhoops.net writer, Ed Maisonet: If your coach has previously been choked by his own player, you should expect him to eventually get fired.

GM first to be fired: Rod Higgins
It has to be Higgens. He drafted D.J. Augustin while Jared Bayless was still on the board… and the Bobcats have to be one of the worst put-together teams in NBA history.

Games until Vince Carter quits on his team: 15
It’s the number he wears.

Big Name Player most likely to be traded: Lamar Odom
The Lakers need a more conventional small forward and Lamar Odom is in his contract year.



Any other predictions? Questions? Disagree with anything? Let me know!

One Week Away...

We're just one week away from the NBA's tip off. I'll be on edge until next Tuesdasy, but until then I'll be having a few predictions and I'll be writing some previews on a few teams on Talkhoops.net.

The NBA... It's Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnntassssstic!

The Future

These three guys, along with Rudy Fernandez, will do great things in the NBA. Personally, I can't wait to see the rest of the Brandon Roy era in Portland. I'm definitely a fan.

Lupe Fiasco

I was listening to him this morning and heard this line. It's far from amazing, but it's the realist shit he ever spoke. He's taking the game to another level and is the double entendre/punchline champion and I'll go line for line with anyone who disagrees.

"I will take rap to where niggas can't conceive/ to the point where niggas can't agree on which song is best and the argument is if I am better than me"

Fuck the Dodgers

I grew up in the greater Los Angeles area as one of the only Giants fans south of Central California, and I grew up despising everything Dodgers. Much like the color green, I don’t own anything even remotely close to royal blue because I hate the team that much. Well, I’m in college going in Bakersfield (what I consider Southern-Central California – damn this state is enormous) and the people out here have pretty much adopted Los Angeles’ teams as their own. After the acquisition of Manny Ramirez, I heard nothing but World Series talks from everyone who decided it was okay to start sporting that heinous Dodger blue again and, as a Giants fan who wears that logo on every hat I own (except one Phillies hat – I because a huge Rollins fan his second season after reading about him in ESPN the Mag), I was obviously disgusted with this sudden wealth of fanaticism.

The Dodgers came into this post-season as one of the hottest teams in the league and ran through the Cubs the way Karl Malone runs through unsuspecting high school girls, and this just furthered my annoyance with all Dodger fans out here. Just as soon as the Phillies finished off Heavy P (Prince Fielder) and the boys everyone and their mothers were writing off J-Roll and the rest of the City of Brotherly Love. I really felt like I was the only guy out here giving the Phillies a shot. This is why it was a breath of fresh air when I read a Ross Newhan article when I picked up the Los Angeles Times this morning (God the Times is brutal when the Dodgers make the playoffs).

Here's the story:

It's unbelievable, truly unbelievable.

This is what the archives serve to remind me that I have read over the last week:

* The Dodgers lost Game 1 of the National League Championship Series to the Philadelphia Phillies because starter Derek Lowe was allowed to stay in too long.

* They lost Game 2 because Philadelphia's Brett Myers was permitted to pitch inside with impunity and Chad Billingsley didn't respond.

* They won Game 3 because Hiroki Kuroda did pitch inside, throwing a fastball over the head of Shane Victorino in the process (of course, none of the scribes telling Dodgers pitchers they need to send a message to Philadelphia hitters have ever stood at the plate against a head-high fastball, or seen their son in the dirt after being hit in the helmet by a major league fastball, as I have).

* They lost Game 4 because this time starter Lowe wasn't allowed to stay in long enough.

My head is spinning, and I need to ask:

Has anyone stopped to think that the Dodgers are trailing, 3-1, in the series because Philadelphia is a better and more complete team?

Does anyone realize that Manager Joe Torre isn't operating with a full complement of postseason-caliber players?

Can anyone recall that only two months ago the Dodgers were a sub-.500 team trailing Arizona in a National League West that didn't exactly resemble Appaloosa and the only difference between that Dodgers team and this one is Manny Ramirez?

I mean, Ramirez is having one of the greatest stretches of big-time hitting any of us has been fortunate to see or will be fortunate to see again, but by now his back must be bending from the load.

How far and for how long can one man carry a team?

Of course, the way he's hitting there's still a possibility that he can tote the Dodgers into the World Series, but they will have to come back against a team that boasts the last two winners of the league's most valuable player award, an array of All-Stars, a closer who hasn't blown a save this year and a balanced bullpen and bench.

Yes, the Dodgers had it all together and swept the Chicago Cubs in the division series. The commissioner didn't require a saliva test, so we're not quite sure how that happened except we're all aware that the Cubs have to cope with decades of historical baggage in October, as well as the opposing pitcher.

Maybe the Dodgers can win three in a row again and salvage this series with the Phillies, but consider what they will be looking at and for once they have played their final game.

* With Lowe headed to free agency and no assurance Brad Penny or Jason Schmidt will be back, they will need to acquire at least one starting pitcher.

* With Takashi Saito's elbow becoming a prolonged issue and Jonathan Broxton lacking the reliability of Jonathan Papelbon, they may need a closer and definitely have to rebuild the bullpen with healthier and more versatile arms.

* With Jeff Kent heading into retirement as a pinch-hitter, Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake eligible for free agency, Nomar Garciaparra enduring another season of injuries and Blake DeWitt yet to play a full major league season at one infield position, who is on first is the only question that can be answered definitively about the 2009 infield.

* Then there's Ramirez, also eligible for free agency. If owner Frank McCourt, as I recently wrote, doesn't take equity out of his new Malibu mansion and hope that the Ramirez of late '08 will hold up for four or five more seasons, as performer and personality, he will be back where he was two months ago with a floundering offense.

These are the shortages, outages and plain facts with which Torre and the Dodgers are dealing.

So, second guess if you must, dissect if you want, but keep one verifiable aspect in mind:

If the Dodgers had beaten the superior Phillies, or if they rally to beat them in what will now take seven games to do, it would have been an upset or will be an upset, pure and simple.



Thanks, Newhan. You made my day.

What we've all been waiting for

Remember when basketball players use to wear goggles (see: Horace Grant or Kareem Abdul Jabar)? Well, Amare Stoudamire was recently poked in the eye by teammate Boris Diaw and said that he's considering wearing goggles for the rest of his career. I couldn't be more excited.

Let the Amare with goggles era commence!

Why my school is lame

This is Horace Mitchell, the president of our school, and a cow. We may not be having a midnight madness here at CSUB (for the second fucking year in a row) but our president sure has a long time to go hanging out with cows.

fuck bakersfield

Nothing new here [from ESPN.com]

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Darius Miles says he has no clue what made him fail a drug test that will cause him to serve a 10-game suspension if he makes it through training camp with the Boston Celtics.

Speaking at length Tuesday for the first time since his suspension was announced by the NBA over the summer, Miles said he never took diet pills -- the over-the-counter medication in which the banned stimulant he tested positive for, phentarmine, is most commonly found -- and had never taken any medication other than what was prescribed by Portland's doctors and trainers.

"I wish I knew. I really do wish I knew, but [Celtics president] Danny Ainge told me 'leave it alone,' so I left it alone," Miles said.

The NBA e-mailed teams over the summer to alert them to Miles' pending suspension after it became clear he was serious about a comeback. The Portland Trail Blazers released him and had an insurance company on the hook for his salary after an independent physician confirmed the team doctor's opinion that Miles would never be able to return from microfracture surgery on his right knee.

The move allowed the Blazers to remove the remaining $18 million and two seasons left on Miles' old six-year, $48 million contract off their salary cap, but that money would go back on Portland's cap -- reducing their max available cap space next summer from roughly $30 million to $21 million -- if Miles is able to play in 10 NBA games.

As it is, if Miles makes the Celtics (who have 16 players in camp, with Miles and Sam Cassell the only ones with non-guaranteed contracts), he would be ineligible to suit up until Boston's 11th game, Nov. 15 at Milwaukee. If Miles were to play in that game and eight of the next nine, he'd have an opportunity to both seek revenge against his old team and kill two-thirds of their cap space for next summer if he steps onto the court for what would be his 10th game, Dec. 5 when Portland travels to Boston.

The 26-year-old Miles, who has not played in an NBA game since the 2005-06 season, said he worked out for Charlotte, Dallas, Phoenix and New Jersey before deciding to to take a shot at replacing James Posey for the defending NBA champions.

He said there is no pain, only stiffness, in his surgically repaired right knee, and he was the fastest big man on the court Tuesday afternoon when coach Doc Rivers ordered the losing team from a scrimmage to run 17 cross-court wind sprints, with the enticement that the first big man to do eight would not have to finish all 17. Miles also bragged that he had dunked over rookie Bill Walker during his two months of workouts with Celtics players over the summer. He did not seem bitter over the drug suspension, although he admitted his willingness to appeal was altered when he learned that the lost earnings from the suspension would be deducted from his Celtics' contract, not his more lucrative Blazers' deal.

"I'll just serve my suspension. I could have gone to a team that would have me to appeal it and fight it, but I went to a team that told me to leave it alone, so I'll leave it alone," Miles said. "What's better than to come back from an injury and play for the champs? That makes me look good and other teams look bad."

ESPN.com senior writer Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

Yes! Yes! Yes! pt. 2

The first NBA pre-season games are only four days away. I'm not going to sit here and front like I'm not excited.

NBA: Where verve-less guys like Mr. Barnett actually show enthusiasm happens.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!