The Celtics ARE FINE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before everyone starts talking about how the Celtics messed up giving away Perkins lets stop and remember that the Celtics played the majority of the year without him and had the best record in the East. If the O'neal's are healthy come playoff time their would've been a log jam at the C position anyway. Jeff Green fills a need for the Celtics and thats back up SF. Back when they won the championship they had a pretty productive back up SF in James Posey and since they've yet 2 replace his production. Jeff Green is a great utility that player that can do a little of everything. First of all he can play the SF or PF and maybe even some SG if the Celtics really just need him to. he can shoot from mid range and for a guy that can play both forward spots he's decent from 3. He can do a little rebounding and he plays good Defense. People forget he was avg. 15 ppg in OKC, and although he won't be anywhere near that in Bos that kinda production can come in handy and really makes the Celtics bench stronger. I think this was a good move by the Celtics. 

The Thunder Make Huge Improvements?

The biggest winners in regards to this season not the future but this season with their trades were the Thunder. Ever since the Thunder became a playoff contender their mane weakness has been their frontline mainly the power forward and center positions. The likes of kristic and other lower level big men that they've had just have not gotten the job done. However yesterday the thunder made two good trades. First they traded Jeff Green and Kristic to the Celtics for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson. Then they got Nazr Mohammad from the Bobcats for Morris Peterson and D.J. White. Although the thunder still lack a low post offensive scorer they have vastly improved their post Defense and now I believe even tho their still the 4th best team in the west they will be a problem in the playoffs and have a legit shot at an upset over one of the top 3 teams in the 2nd round. 

Gerald Wallace traded to the Blazers

The Bobcats traded Gerald Wallace to the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, two 1st round draft picks, and cash. I initially thought this was a bad trade because when 1st reported it was not announce the bobcats were getting two 1st rounders out of this. So now I'm cool with it. Gerald Wallace contract is soon going to expire and I guess the general feeling was that he wasn't interested in resigning. But this is a good deal for the Blazers they get a stat stuffer type player that can do a little bit of everything to go with what they have and now will have a shot to maybe get to the 2nd round.

Deron Williams headed East

This was a trade that just came out of nowhere but the Jazz traded franchise player Deron Williams to the Nets for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two 1st round picks, and $3 million cash. I can't believe their are people out there saying this was a bad trade for the nets. If anything the Jazz got the worst of this exchange. The Nets just got 1 of the top 10 players in the NBA and a certified superstar. The Nets team is instantly better and when you look at the fact they had four 1st round picks I don't have a problem at all with them giving away two of em. That trade made the Nets a better team now and it will make them better moving forward. As for the Jazz, i'm not sure why but for some reason they panicked and made a rushed trade for a player that they have signed through 2012. The Jazz could have probably gotten a better deal for D will than they got. There is nothing special about Devin Harris and Derick Favors its still to early to tell but I don't think he's gonna ever be an all star, and those draft picks possibly wont produce a superstar either so the best player they end up with out of this deal could be Devin Harris. Who is nowhere near the player he was when he made that all star game. He's really just got speed and thats all. His defense isn't that good, he's not a good 3 point shooter, he also does not posses elite ball handling skills, and his distributing skills tho not terrible are nothing special either. he's just a decent starting pg. 

DON'T SLEEP ON ATLANTA

One of the trades that didnt get a lot of hype but is a HUGE deal is the trade the Hawks made to get Kirk Hinrich. The Atlanta Hawks traded Mike Bibby, Evans, Jordan Crawford, and a 1st round pick to the Wizards for Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. For me the most important thing this trade means is that if they weren't already the Hawks are a better team than the Knicks since they made the Melo trade. Mike Bibby at this point in his career has become a huge liability on the floor. He cant defend the bigger or more athletic pg's in the league and on offense he's nothing but a set jump shooter with no drive game. He's not even setting others up these days as he's only avg 3.6 assist a game. Not that he's ever been a big assist guy but he used to be good for at least five assist a game. But Hinrich is one of the most underrated players in the league. He's not really great at 1 aspect of the game but he's solid in every aspect of the pg position. He's a good passer, can drive when needed, knocks down the 3, and most importantly the man plays defense. With this trade and the way that the Magic are playing the Hawks now have a chance to finish 4th in the East and make some noise in the playoffs. So as I already pointed out DO NOT SLEEP ON ATLANTA.

Clippers Send Baron Davis to Rot

I know this title might seem a little harsh but man their was just no other way to describe the situation. The clippers traded Baron Davis and their 1st round pick to Cleveland for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. Ok first of all I don't blame the clippers for wanting to get rid of Davis and his undeserved contract. But to the Cavs? The clippers traded a better player for a worse player and still had to give up a lottery pick so you know this was a salary dump trade. With that said no one is about to convince me a team like the kings or even the bobcats that could use a upgrade at pg wouldn't have given up a worse player than Baron Davis on their roster to get Baron Davis and a guaranteed top 10 pick in this years draft maybe even top 5 depending on how the balls bounce. You mean to tell me Jordan couldn't have sent Gerald Wallace to L.A. and maybe even unload Diop contract 2 pick up Davis and a lottery pick because thats certainly more value than the clippers got from Cleveland and the bobcats getting Baron Davis and a lottery pick was more value than they got from Portland. But back 2 my point basically I think they sent Baron Davis to Cleveland just because they don't like him because based on what they got in return from Cleveland their is NO way no other team would have offered more. But hey what do I know its not like I have the credentials and savvy of a "NBA GM" right?  

Brooks Headed to Phoenix

The Suns acquired pg Aaron Brooks in a trade with the rockets in which they gave up back up pg Gordan Dragic and a 1st round pick. I think this was a overall good trade for both teams. I'm quite positive most of you don't know this but Aaron Brooks lost his starting spot this season 2 Kyle Lowry, so basically the rockets just swapped back up pg's with the suns and added a lottery pick. However it was a good move for the suns because even tho brooks play has fell off from last year and even tho he doesn't even know what Defense means let alone how to play it he's still a better player that Dragic and on a team like the Suns that doesn't defend anyway he's a much better fit for their run and gun style. Also more importantly Once Nash is gone whether its via retirement, trade, or his contract expiring in two years Aaron Brooks could be a solid starting pg for a team like the suns. You probably won't compete for a ring with him as your starting pg but hey he can put a 20 a game in this system if made the starter it'll be interesting to see what they do with him. I would have 2 imagine that its almost certain they'll resign him after giving up a lottery pick to get him tho. 

Trades Galore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click on the link for all the details for the trades that went down. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=TradeTracker11

T-Wolves Sneak in and Capitalize

Throughout this entire trade process the Nuggets have been looking for that third team to involve in the Melo trade weather it was with the Nets or Knicks. That team turned out to be the Minnesota Timberwolves who ended up with Anthony Randolph in this whole saga. Now I know that Randolph is having his worst season as a pro but he's also been hurt. I believe Randolph still has potential 2 be a effective player on a NBA roster and more importantly all they had to give up to get him was Corey Brewer who was an expiring contract that they weren't going to resign anyway and they had to take on Eddy Curry's contract which with only one year left on it really isnt bad at all. Very Small prices to pay for a young athletic forward with good potential and that will be on the roster next year for around 2 million dollars. 

What About The Nuggets?

Whenever a superstar gets traded often forgotten is the team that let that player go. But let me tell you the not only did the Nuggets make the best out of this situation as they could it might actually be better for them long term. Fact of the matter is the Nuggets, baring some innovative trading, was never going 2 be in a position 2 bring another superstar 2 Denver or clear the cap space 2 do so via free agency at least not within the next two years, and Anthony knew that which is why he wanted out. But now the Nuggets have new young talent, draft picks, and look really good for the future. Danilo Gallinari is a 6'10'' forward that can play both the 3 and 4 and stretches the defense. Once he's fully developed he could be a 20 a game type guy. Wilson Chandler is probably the most skilled all around player they got and the physical replacement for Melo as he will more than likely assume the starting SF spot for the Nuggets. Athletic Wing man that can drive and shoot, will be a complete player once he improves his defense and fully develops his offensive skills. Raymond Felton will more than likely be trade bait. The Nuggets love Ty Lawson and more than likely want him to be the starting PG so expect Felton 2 be moved soon. And finally theirs Mozgov the Russian big man that has shown signs of potential this season. He still has alot of work 2 do but he's athletic and long and could develop into a solid starting center in the NBA. Overall I'd say the nuggets got the most they could for Melo giving the stipulations and are in a good position for the future. One thing is for certain and thats that the Nuggets wont be a laughing stock next year like the Cavs are this year.

Breaking Down the Melo Deal From Knicks Prospective

What does this trade mean for the Knicks? Are they now a championship contender? How deep can they go in the playoffs? These are the questions that are now being asked about the knicks and I have the answer to them all. No, the Knicks are not a championship contender this season, as a matter of fact their the 6th best team in the conference and their going 2 be bounced from the 1st round more than likely with ease. But i'll go into that more around playoff time lets discuss what it means. First of all this was a deal for the future not the present and I completely approve of the move. Also the only contracts the knicks will have on their roster now because of this trade going into the 2012 offseason will be A'mare, Carmelo, Balkman, Tony Douglas, and Andy Rautins. Throw in whoever they take with their late 1st round pick in the 2012 draft and the possible salary cap cuts when the NBA reaches a new collective bargaining agreement and the knicks should have around 15-16 Million dollars in cap space. Also if they lower the salary cap then you can bet the amount for max contract will probably go down as well so that should be more than enough to sign Chris Paul or Deron Williams. The fact that this team has put them selves in a situation to bring in a 3rd superstar in 2 years is the reason why this was such a good deal for the Knicks. 

Carmelo Anthony FINALLY Traded

Last night it was announced that Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks. The details of the Trade are the Knicks get, Carmelo Anthony, Billups, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman, and Anthony Carter from the the nuggets and Corey Brewer from the T-Wolves, the Nuggets get Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Mozgov, $3 million, and a the knicks 2011 1st and 2nd round picks and the knicks 2012 2nd round pick, and the T-Wolves get Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry.

The Best Player in the NBA

        

Who's the Best player in the NBA? There has been a debate about this ever since Lebron won his 1st MVP on who the best player in the league is Kobe or Lebron. In my opinion even during those 2 seasons Lebron won MVP Kobe was still the better overall player. However, in the year 2011 Lebron James is now the best player in the NBA (Keep in mind I cant stand Lebron so this is unbiased as it gets). Lets look at the facts tho in the past we've always been able 2 say Kobe has the edge in shooting, which he still does, but now that gap has closed as Lebron has went from a once streaky unreliable jump shooter, 2 a pretty consistent decent jump shooter from both midrange and 3 point range. Kobe's still the better shooter but now that shooting isnt a weakness of Lebron added with the rest of his skill set it closes the gap dramatically. But for me what really makes Lebron the best in the league in 2011 is not anything that he's done but more about whats happening 2 kobe. For the 1st time in Kobe's career he's starting 2 show real signs of decline in his game which is no knock on him its only natural that it occurs at his age. But yes Kobe's a lil slower, a little easier 2 defend, and a lil easier 2 score on these days. Even with him declining he's still 2nd best in the NBA but with a player like Lebron in the league he's simply no longer the best now that he's declining. Had a player like Lebron been in the league in the late 90's Jordan wouldn't have been the best in the league either. 

What's Wrong With The Lakers

The Lakers fell to 38-18 after last nights 20 point loss to the Bobcats. You can say what you want but this team clearly has some issues right now. I don't think its time 2 panic or anything their still an elite team thats a major threat 2 win the championship but right now thats only potentially. The Lakers Won't Last past the 2nd round if they play like this come playoff time. I think their biggest issue right now is that they don't seem 2 understand that kobe has lost a step and can't carry this team like he use 2. Phil needs 2 go back 2 the drawing board and re work the offense to more of a ball movement play as a team style game. I think the lakers would actually be fine if kobe stopped shooting so many shots. Also the Lakers have got 2 go through Gasol and Bynum more than they have and get more of a inside out attack going. But Bottom Line is they would get washed by the Spurs in 6 if their still playing like this in May. 

2011 NBA All Star snubs

   

  Before I get into who was snubbed or not I'm going to define snub first. To me an all star snub is a player you can look at and say He deserves it more than someone else already on the roster. Every year I hear fans yell about who got snubbed and then I ask them ok who would you take off the team to put them on and they just get quiet and have 2 start thinking. The players they are talking about deserve honorable mentions but are not snubs. With that said I think their were 3 players that got snubbed. My 1st snub was in the Eastern Conference and its Josh Smith who definitely deserved the nod over Chris Bosh who's nothing more than a Shooting Guard playing the 4. Josh Smith is averaging 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3.5 assist, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game to Bosh's 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assist, .08 blocks, and .07 steals. Basically Smith does it all and  he does it all on both ends of the floor where as bosh is iffy as both a defender and rebounder at times. That was the only snub in the East for me the rest of the roster is fine with me. In the West their were 2 snubs. The first was Kevin Love, and I know your saying  2 yourselves he got in which is true but he shouldn't have had 2 get in as a replacement when he's having a better year than most of the big men in the West. I don't care how bad the T-Wolves are playing that man is averaging 21 points and 15.6 rebounds a game. Go ahead and try 2 remember the last time a player avg. 15 plus rebounds per game in a season i'll wait. Not only that but he's shooting lights out with 47% from the field, 87% from the Strike, and 43% from 3. In My opinion Love should have been voted as the starting Center over yao. The other snub is a toss up between Lamarcus Aldridge and Zach Randolph. I don't know which deserved it more but I do know BOTH deserved that last reserve spot over Tim Duncan. There is just no way in HELL your supposed 2 be an ALL STAR avg 13 points a game and only playing 29 minutes, and Tim is my favorite player in the league so thats as unbiased as it gets.  But if I had 2 choose between Aldridge and Randolph I'd probably go with Aldridge. I think that he's been carrying the blazers on his back with the injury problems Roy has been having. His efforts are the only reason that team is not looking at the draft lottery right now. 

The NBA All Star Game Roster Problem

The way that the NBA all star game roster is set up is very flawed in my opinion. The NBA all star rosters are set up like this, 12 man roster, 4 guards, 4 forwards, 2 centers, and 2 wild cards (meaning 2 players of any position 2 fill out the roster). I think this is a problem. I don't think players should be limited to just 1 position on the ballot and I think they should use all FIVE POSITIONS on the ballet. 1st of all 2 guards and 2 forwards isn't specific enough. what if 1 year the fans vote for 2 point guards and 2 small forwards for 1 conference and 2 shooting guards and 2 power forwards in the other. That would make for terrible match ups all across the board. Every year there is usually 2 players of different position going against each other because of this format. In this years all star game your gonna see Amar'e Stoudemire probably matched up against Carmelo Anthony. A PF, C type matched up against a pure SF. Not 2 mention in the earlier years of last decade where the west used 2 have Kobe and T-Mac starting with Garnett and Duncan almost every year. Or you can just look at the picture above this post. Even after Garnett moved on to the East in 2009 fans voted for Duncan and Stoudemire for the forwards spot meaning either him or Duncan would have 2 guard Lebron James. Thats why these lineups are flawed. Both of the lineups I describe both lacked a true point guard or a small forward. My solution 2 fixing this problem would be to have fans vote for all 5 positions but let the players that can play more than 1 be on the ballot for multiple positions. For example this year Yao Ming was voted in mainly because of china but also because there were no other pure Centers worth voting for. My plan would have say guys like Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol on the ballot as a PF and as C. This makes for better match ups and a better flowing game. I would also have the coaches follow the same suit because when they vote for the reserves they choose under that same 2 guards, 2 forwards, format. But basically the way i'm proposing the all star rosters would look like this, 2 pg, 2 sg, 2 sf. 2 pf. 2 c. and 2 wildcards. In My opinion that would definitely make for more balanced rosters. But hey i'm just a fan their the experts what do I know right.

NBA All Stars for 2011 Announced

           West                                                                                         East
Starters:
G. Chris Paul                                                                        Derrick Rose
G. Kobe Bryant                                                                     Dwayne Wade
F. Kevin Durant                                                                     Lebron James
F. Carmelo Anthony                                                              Amar'e Stoudemire
C. Yao Ming (injured)                                                             Dwight Howard

Reserves:
Deron Williams                                                                     Rajon Rondo
Manu Ginobli                                                                        Joe Johnson
Dirk Nowitzki                                                                        Paul Pierce
Blake Griffin                                                                          Kevin Garnett
Pau Gasol                                                                            Al Horford
Russel Westbrook                                                                Chris Bosh
Tim Duncan                                                                          Ray Allen
*Kevin Love (Injury Replacement)

Where these picks fair or unfair? Was anybody snubbed? Feel free 2 leave your comments. I feel like there was a snub but I'm gonna get to that in another post.

Lucky Number 13 and What it Means

As you know the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl this year. To most casual football fans it was simply the 2nd championship this franchise has ever won. However in actuality this was the packers 13th championship, the most of all the NFL teams by the way. Thats right it wasn't the cowboys, steelers, or the 49ers but the Green Bay Packers. But I'm not here 2 give a history lesson so lets talk about the here and now. After a team wins a championship all kind of questions start to arise. What does it mean for that franchise? Can they repeat? Where does that team rank amongst other super bowl teams? And I could go on and on. But I'm only gonna focus on those 1st two questions for now. Lets start with what does it mean for the franchise. I think the main thing it means is that the Ted Thompson and the packer front office were exactly right to not want Farve back. For the record at the time I was one of those people all in favor of getting rid of Farve and letting Rodgers get his shot. And as I am most of the time (not 2 sound cocky) I was right. Who knows how much it would've hindered the growth of Rodgers had the Packers held on to Farve just one more year. Watching Film and Training in the off season will only take you so far, to truly become a great player in the NFL or in any sport one must have that in game experience. On to the next question can they repeat? ABSOLUTELY!!! I mean they won the super bowl and they weren't even a 100%. They played almost the hold year without one of their best players on defense in Nick Barnett, without starting Tight End Jermichael Finley, and their starting running back Ryan Grant. Not to mention they had to play the 2nd half of the super bowl without Donald Driver, Charles Woodson, and Shields. Next season all of those players should return healthy and if they can keep the majority of their roster the same I see no reason why the Packers won't be one of the favorites to win it all again next year.