Bullet Points from the Celtics Sweep of the Knicks

While I grieve the shortcomings of my beloved San Antonio Spurs over at TFT, I'm going to take solace in the fact that they are not the only team struggling to meet expectations in this year's postseason (petty and nothing new, I know):


Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony got to the Prom only to have the liquor they took from their daddy's cabinet upset their stomachs. Drink too much of anything, whether it be alcohol or hype, and you can find your worldview shaped by porcelain. 

Dunk of the Week: J.R. Smith Flies and Carmelo Scowls

You've probably already seen it, but it's worth seeing again.  J.R. Smith's dunk over Gary Neal is one of those plays that epitomizes not only the essence of one player (Smith), but takes a Polaroid of a team's chemistry.

NBA Preview Part 5 & 6: Northwest and Pacific

Due to running out of time as the season is officially underway, I will rapid fire the last two divisions of our NBA preview.

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets

Last Year: 53-29, lost in first round

Additions: Al Harrington, Shelden Williams, 

Subtractions: Linus Kleiza, Carmelo Anthony

O/U: N/A

Yeah I added Carmelo to the subtraction list, as there is no doubt in my mind that he gets traded during the season, probably to the Knicks.  Mix that with injuries to Kenyon Martin and Birdman to begin the season and the uncertainty with George Karl, who is the glue that keeps these volatile personalities together, and I see a freefall for the Nuggets. 

Prediction: 37-45

Utah Jazz

Last Year: 53-29, lost in 2nd round  

Additions: Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward, Raja Bell

Subtractions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews

O/U: 49.5

The Jazz got worse in the offseason, as they loss their best outside shooting threat with Korver going to the Bulls and their best perimeter defender in Wesley Matthews to the Blazers.  Mehmet Okur is also still recovering from an Achilles injury and will miss the beginning of the season.  They still make the playoffs as they have Deron Williams and they will be able to score inside, but I will be going with the under.  

Prediction: 48-34 5th place 1st round exit

Portland Trail Blazers

Last Year: 50-32, lost in first round

Additions: Wesley Matthews, Luke Babbit, Greg Oden

Subtractions: Martell Webster, Steve Blake, Jerryd Bayless

O/U: 51.5

After a injury-riddled season last year where they still won 50 games, the Blazers come back deeper and better then ever.  The frontcourt consist of Greg Oden, LeMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby, Joel Pryzbilla, and first round pick Luke Babbitt.  Nicolas Batum is a rising player on the wing who can shoot 3s.  Brandon Roy is a star.  Only weakness I see right now is this:  Can you win the West with Andre Miller as your point guard?  I bet they trade for something better during the season.  

Prediction: 53-29 4th place Western Conference Finals

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Last Year: 50-32, first round exit

Additions: Morris Peterson, Cole Aldrich

Subtractions: No one of note

O/U: 51.5

The rise of the Thunder the past few seasons will continue as they climb the next rung of the ladder in the West. With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook rising to another level during the World Championships, the Thunder have two franchise players they can build around.  If the rest of the young players on the roster improve from last season, which you would expect from a young team, and they are not devastated by injuries, they will compete for the one seed in the West.   But they a still a year away from major playoff success. Side note: Serge Ibaka's real name is Sergeballu LaMu Sayonga Loom Walahas Jonas Hugo Ibaka. Fitting since he is known for his length on the court.  

Prediction: 58-24, 2nd place, semifinal exit

Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Year: 15-67

Additions: Wes Johnson, Martell Webster, Michael Beasley, Luke Ridnour

Subtractions: Al Jefferson, Ramon Sessions

O/U: 23.5

After a disastrous season, the Timberwolves reconstructed their roster and placed their future in the hands of unbridled youth. They only have two players over the age of 25 on their roster.  They will be bad again this year, although improved from last year,  but with the youth movement comes potential for growth like the Thunder have done, and sometimes it better to be in rebuilding mode (as the Wolves have been since KG left) than stuck in no man's land like Dallas and Atlanta.  

Prediction: 26-56

Pacific Division

Los Angeles Lakers

Last Year: 57-25, NBA champs

Additions: Steve Blake, Matt Barnes

Subtractions: Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell

O/U: 58.5

Clear favorite again to win it all.  I really liked the Steve Blake signing, as he is much better than Jordan Farmar and will replace Derek Fisher in the starting lineup eventually. If Kobe Bryant stays Kobe Bryant,  I predict back to back titles.
Prediction: 60-22 1st place, Champion

Phoenix Suns

Last Year: 54-28, Western Conference Finals

Additions: Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress, Hakim Warrick

Subtractions: Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, Lou Amundson

O/U: 41.5

Had a great playoff run, at one point tied 2-2 with the Lakers in the West Finals. But the offseason wasn't as kind.  They decided not to pony up the money for Stoudemire in the offseason, and used the money to sign mediocre players to big contracts, which they could have used just to resign Stoudemire.  They will still score points with Nash running the point and great shooters on the outside, but the defense still isn't there and they will be a terrible rebounding team with their two best rebounders from last year gone.  If the Clippers don't achieve my expectations, then the Suns will probably take their spot.  Otherwise they are on the outside looking in.
Prediction: 42-40

Los Angeles Clippers

Last Year: 29-53

Additions: Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe, Ryan Gomes

Subtractions: Marcus Camby, Al Thorton, Drew Gooden

O/U: 36.5

My surprise team from the West that makes playoffs.  Blake Griffin is already a Top 20 player in the league.  Eric Gordon is proven to be a top shooting guard in the league. Chris Kaman is a solid interior player. Capable players off the bench  The key will be Baron Davis. If he plays within the team, gets his teammates involved, improves his shot selection, which therein improves his efficiency on offense, then they improve dramatically and will sneak into the playoffs.
Prediction: 45-37 8th place, 1st round exit

Golden State Warriors

Last Year: 26-56
Additions: David Lee, Dorell Wright, Lou Amundson, Epke Udoh
Subtractions: Corey Maggette, Anthony Randolph, Anthony Morrow
O/U: 30.5

This team will be fun to watch offensively with two great guards in Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis playing pick and roll with newly acquired David Lee.  But the defense and rebounding will continue to struggle and the bench is worse than last season. Warriors will be slightly better this year and is a young team on the rise with playoff potential as soon as next year,  but not this year.
Prediction: 32-50


Sacramento Kings
Last Year: 25-57
Additions: DeMarcus Cousins, Samuel Dalembert,
Subtractions: Andres Nocioni, Spencer Hawes
O/U: 27.5

Sacramento has some good young pieces in Evans and Cousins that if they keep out of trouble and focusing on improving their games, then they could be an exciting team that possibly flirts with the playoffs down the road.  But I'm skeptical to say the least that both will stay on the straight and narrrow.  At least now there is hope and striking gold with their last two 1st round picks will possibly prove dividends in the years to come, just not this season.
Prediction: 26-56

Denver Nuggets Preview: "The Bootleggers"

In an effort to gear up for the NBA season, we will view the upcoming season through the eyes of Edward Hopper. Feel free to add your thoughts on the 2010 Nuggets in our comments section.
David Stern has seen their ilk before, creeping like shark fins through the breakers. And as he would with an actual dorsal fin, he assumes there's something more sinister lurking beneath the surface, so he watches with a stone face and a cold glare, waiting for the men in the boat to validate his worst suspicions. He even leaves a light on, so they know he's watching; but deep down he's relieved that their interaction never goes beyond a staring contest. Because, in all honesty, he's not too sure what an old man should do about a bunch of contraband runners. Sometimes he thinks to himself, it's better to be a statue in the garden than to risk being nothing at all, noting that paradise was lost by men, who stepped outside their norm, overreached their boundaries, and smuggled wisdom inside their mouths.

Tywon's voice idles like a carburetor, "Who's that old man watching us?"

"We call him the vulture cuz he jus' sits, stares, and waits," responds J.R. slowly, like his voice is a tattoo artist, using the ocean's breeze to trace Queequeg onto his young companion's flesh.

Tywon stares at the old man on the shore, eventually withdrawing his eyes from the contest, and he speaks as if he is being pricked by a needle, "Should we be worried? Does he know what we're doing?"

J.R. lets out a laugh as deep and mocking as the waves smacking the sides of the boat. The two sounds blend together until one can not be separated from the other.

"Worry about yourself, worry about your crew, and worry about the cargo. Everything else is just footnotes," Carmelo instructs Tywon, not even looking at the newcomer, but out toward the ocean, the waves, and the sharks. If Carmelo were to turn around, he would see Billups nod his approval, while confidently steering them around the bend.

The S.S. Karl disappears into the night like skin underneath black ink.

The number of the day is:

33, as in Carmelo Anthony matched George Gervin’s NBA record by dropping 33 points in the third quarter. Melo was 12-15 from the field, 4-5 from three-point range and 5-6 from the free-throw line. Anthony finished with a season-high 45 points in the Denver Nuggets’ 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. At one point, he hit 8 straight shots scoring 26 consecutive points for the Nuggets.

Gervin set the record on April 9, 1978 when he scored 33 points for San Antonio in the second quarter against New Orleans . Anthony obviously broke the franchise record of 32 set by David Thompson against Detroit, which was also set on April 9, 1978. Here is Melo's record breaking quarter in video form thanks to Ball Don't Lie. :