Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook Are Pretty Good

All of sports, not just basketball, likes to put things in dire terms of good versus evil. It's not true, but it makes things more entertaining, more heated, more dynamic.

American Idol Judges the NBA's Western Conference Playoffs

Ryan Seacrest: Last night, our judges laid down all the things our Eastern Conference teams need to work on and strive to improve in order to make the Finals, so today we're bringing you their critiques of the final eight Western Conference contestants. Now, remember these are music professionals giving insider tips to basketball players on how they can maximize their athletic potential into pure entertainment.

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.

Number of the Day: George Karl's 1,000th

Not sure what else there is to say other than the number. It's a testament to the man and the players he's coached, to longevity, and now to his battle with throat cancer. The man is an ambassador of the game, a branch of the Dean Smith tree, and one of the best coaches the League has ever seen. Congratulatory remarks are due.

Breakfast with Berndon: NBA's First Month

My interest in the NBA tends to wane slightly once college ball tips off, but this year I've kept at least one eye on the proceedings. My Bulls are, at least in my eyes, a legitimate title contender. The Miami chemistry experiment appears to be blowing up in Pat Riley's face, and, quite simply, the league is stacked like it hasn't been in a long time. What follows is the return of my power rankings, the return of the “man of the match," and some random commentary thrown in free of charge at the bottom.

Power Rankings

1. Boston (13-4) KG's knees apparently work again.
2. Lakers (13-5) Losing four in a row doesn't change the fact that they're still the favorites.
3. San Antonio (15-2) Shocking they've gotten out as fast as they have.
4. Dallas (13-4) Tyson Chandler is protecting the rim, Dallas actually is playing D now.
5. Orlando (13-4) I still think the Bulls will be better, but Dwight Howard still scares me.
6. Utah (14-5) Without Okur, great start as they plug in Jefferson for Boozer.
7. New Orleans (12-5) Chris Paul shows he's back.
8. Oklahoma City (12-6) Westbrook, not Durant, for MVP?
9. Chicago (9-6) I'm licking my chops with a 9-6 record without Boozer.
10. Miami (10-8) Almost under .500. Wow.
11. Atlanta (11-7) Joe Johnson is out 4-6 weeks, give Jordan Crawford his minutes?
12. Denver (10-6) Take one more shot, or trade Carmelo and start from scratch?
13. Indiana (9-7) Roy Hibbert might be an All-Star.
14. Memphis (8-10) I think they'll take off and get 50 wins.
15. Phoenix (8-9) Hakim Warrick, you are no Amar'e Stoudemire.
16. Portland (8-9) They still have about 3 more season-ending injuries left in them.
17. New York (10-9) Wilson Chandler is a charter member of the All-Underrated team.
18. Golden St. (8-10) A year or two away, but entertaining as hell.
19. Houston (5-12) Still could be somewhere ranging between frisky and dangerous eventually.
20. Cleveland (7-10) I hope they murder Miami tonight. Not literally Cleveland, calm down.
21. Milwaukee (6-11) Wait, your telling me a team has quit on Scott Skiles?
22. Minnesota (4-13) Maybe Minnesota is the location of Darko finding his freedom.
23. Sacramento (4-12) I hope Cousins cries on the bench at some point.
24. New Jersey (6-12) I honestly thought they'd be a little better.
25. Charlotte (6-11) Last year apparently was a fluke.
26. Detroit (6-12) All I want for X-mas is Rip or Tayshaun in a Bulls uniform.
27. Clippers (3-15) Baron Davis is an asshole. Way to eat your way out of the league.
28. Washington (5-11) I really like JaVale McGee.
29. Philly (5-13) I'm kind of surprised Evan Turner has struggled.
30. Toronto (6-11) The Raptors do not have the worst record, but give it time, they will.

Man of the Match Leaderboard

1. Dwight Howard 13 ( 21 pts, 12 rbs, 2 blks)
2. Pau Gasol 9 (20 pts, 12 rbs, 4 assts, 2 blks)
3. Chris Paul 8 ( 16 pts, 5 rbs, 11 assts, 3 stls)
4. Josh Smith 7 ( 15 pts 9 rbs, 4 assts, 2 blks)
4. Derrick Rose 7 (26 pts 4 rbs, 8 assts)
4. Deron Williams 7 (22 pts, 4 rbs, 10 assts, 1 stl)
7. Russell Westbrook 6.5 (25 pts, 6 rbs, 9 assts, 2 stls)
8. Kevin Garnett 6 (16 pts, 9 rbs, 2 stls, 1 blk)
8. Dwyane Wade 6 (21 pts, 6 rbs, 4 assts)
8. Rajon Rondo 6 (11 pts 5 rbs, 14 assts, 2 stls)
8. Carmelo Anthony 6 (23 pts 8 rbs, 3 assts)
8. Tony Parker 6 (17 pts, 7 assts, 2 stls)

Bottom Five
The five players whom one would say the following: “I didn't even know he was still in the NBA,” or “ How in the hell did he lead the team in even one category, ever in his life, let alone be the most valuable player in a victory,” when notified that they made the Man of the Match leaderboard.

Melvin Ely
Josh McRoberts
Leandro Barbosa
Amir Johnson
Jose Calderon/Ronny Turiaf

Just a quick refresher: I came up with the man of the match criteria last season. In order to get credit for a “point,” your team has to win, and you have to lead your team in the most categories out of points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Not earth-shaking stuff here, but I'll leave the advanced statistical analysis to those who are much smarter than I am. In looking at the leaders, half on the list are point guards. There are so many quality floor generals right now, the whole “Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul” argument now involves at least 3 others who could be considered the best in the league. Other parts of the list that stand out include Gasol being the MVP in 9 of the Lakers 13 victories, bringing up the question, is he starting to be more valuable than Kobe? Also, whether or not he wants to be in Denver isn't really affecting Melo's play that much. His points are slightly down but the 8 rebounds a game is a little unexpected. The return of KG is kind of a surprise, with him playing really well and looking more and more like the pre-2008 version.

Random Observations

Chicago: I have to talk about my Bulls, and mainly how happy I am that they're off to a 9-7 start, with Carlos Boozer just now coming back. Rose can now hit outside shots, making him almost unstoppable. My only concern is the fact that he's logging heavy minutes, which hopefully Thibs is smart enough to monitor by year's end. Luol Deng looks a lot better than last year, Noah keeps improving, and now Taj Gibson makes for a helluva 6th man. I like our chances.

San Antonio: If someone would have told me that San Antonio would start out 15-3, and didn't say that Tiago Splitter is averaging 40 pts and 20 rebounds a game, I would have questioned their sanity. But, with essentially the same team as last year, the Spurs are back as a title contender. It's almost as if they're mustering up one more really great run before Duncan becomes a role player or retires, and the team gets broken up. Richard Jefferson looks completely different, and I like the move to start Dejuan Blair. I also think that James Anderson looms as an x-factor in the playoffs as someone who can knock down a big shot for them.

B Easy, K Love, and Darko: What a combo. There's probably not a more unique frontcourt in all the game. Darko could have finally found a home after 7, 257 teams didn't work out for him. He's averaging 2.9 blocks a game for the Wolves, while Love continues to lead the league in boards, and Beasley is averaging 21 a game and not acting like a head case. Don't worry, I'm still kind of happy the Bulls took Rose and not him. But still, he's playing better and behaving himself. Baby steps, Mike.

Miami: You would think I would have led off with these guys, but I still haven't seen enough of them yet, making me hesitant to write them off. Bosh has been a major disaster, though I honestly would be really scared if the Bulls had to face them in a 4 vs.5 match-up come spring.

Golden State: They've become my favorite Western team to watch, simply because I love watching Curry and Ellis play together. Biedrins and David Lee rebound everything in sight. Put it together and you have a team that I'd really love to see end up in the playoffs, potentially upsetting the Lakers or someone of that ilk in April.

Noteworthy, footnotes: John Wall, Blake Griffin, Greg Oden, Carmelo being traded, Milwaukee and Charlotte being terrible, and the Knicks playing decent.

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

Garbage Time: Vince and the West Coasters

Langston: The Los Angeles Lakers recently finished their longest road trip of the season, the Grammy trip had them away from the City of Angels for the past two and a half weeks for eight games. They were able to come out of the road trip relatively unscathed going 5-3, including a big win over the Celtics on Sunday. The longest road trip of a season is typically seen as the most telling for a teams playoff hopes, but I believe the next six days will be a much better barometer for their ability to repeat as champions. 6 days, 4 games, all at Staples where they have the best home record in the NBA (23-3)....

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. :

Denver Nuggets-Detroit Pistons Trade @ a Glance and highly unfocused

I understand why Denver and Detroit decided to swap Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups (McDyess isn't staying in Denver). I understand how the trade benefits both teams in the long term and possibly both teams in the short term. I understand why a lot of reporters are now excited to theorize about the future of the Detroit Pistons. I find myself doing the same, but for all the positive spin this trade is receiving, I'm not sure I'm willing to buy all of it.

I'm hearing a lot of the discussion focus on salaries, playoff seedings, consecutive year streaks in the conference finals, championships, consecutive years of losing in the first round, points per game, years in the league, and ages of the players involved, but I'm hearing very little about the emotional impact of this trade on both teams, which is especially important to the Detroit end of this deal, but not limited to the men who reside in the Motor City.

Three key players for both teams have been featured repeatedly in interviews on ESPN, sharing their initial reactions to the trade, and all three of these players seem very reluctant to embrace it. In fact, I would say all three would like to take a trip with Marty McFly and kidnap Joe Dumars and Rex Chapman. Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, and Carmello Anthony do not like this trade, and that matters.

Carmello, when talking to reporters, sounded like his childhood hero had just been murdered. If Iverson was his Superman, then this trade was his Doomsday. Carmello seemed to dwell more on the fact that a future Hall of Famer and close friend of his was sent to the Eastern Conference than he did on the fact that his team received a Finals MVP in return. Iverson and Carmello, while friends off the court, never really complemented each other well on it. Yes, they put up some huge scoring nights, both individually and as a team. No one will forget the night they blew out the Sonics(R.I.P.) by a score of 168 to 116, and they did amass 50 wins last season, the most ever for an 8th seed; but this team was never going to win a championship.

The front office conceded this point this past summer when they traded Marcus Camby away, possibly the only player on the team who played consistently good defense (Najera and K-Mart I offer my apologies). Iverson and Carmello both needed the ball in their hands to be effective. The only way either one impacts a game is by scoring, so it's no wonder that both look to shoot first and that young players like J.R. Smith sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Iverson and Carmello are not ballhogs, but they never complemented each other well. J.R. Smith is 23. Carmello is 24. Iverson is 32 and in the last year of his contract. Iverson had to go. Camby's exit, in hindsight, foreshadowed this departure.

Enter Chauncey Billups. He solves a lot of the problems that have belittled this franchise's efforts over the last few seasons. He's a better floor general than Iverson. He has a better feel for getting his teammates involved, which will allow young scorers like J.R. Smith to develop into more consistent scoring threats, and while 168 point games will no longer happen, neither will the 168 point losses that follow (shortly after setting the record the Nuggets suffered an abysmal blowout of their own). Billups will come to embody the accountability a coach demands of his players on the floor, defensively and offensively. Iverson never did that for George Karl.

Iverson will average more points than Billups. He may even average more assists than Billups; he did last season. But Billups finally brings an Alpha Dog with championship credentials to Denver. Iverson was never that. His trip in 2001 to the NBA Finals was a fluke caused by geography, set in motion billions of years ago when Pangaea decided to make herself into a puzzle, and Carmello has always been the talent, but not the leader. At Syracuse, the heart and soul of the 2003 champions was Gerry McNamara. Carmello was the bone and the sinew. The issue at hand now becomes can Carmello admit that he's not a leader and let Chauncey Billups do the job. Carmello can take all the big shots and lead the team in scoring, but will he allow Chauncey to hold him accountable in the huddle. If so, then this trade works for Denver. If not, then the Denver Nuggets wind up like The Wonders in That Thing You Do., where Jimmy was the talent and Guy was the brains, or the glue. Anyway, the combination didn't work. They broke up after one hit. I guess George Karl is Faye.

The more interesting part of this trade to discuss is on the Detroit Pistons end, which means I probably should have mentioned it earlier, seeing as most people probably stopped reading three or four paragraphs ago. Rasheed and Tayshaun are clearly not thrilled with the departure of their teammate Chauncey Billups. Tayshaun said it himself that it's hard to watch a guy one's played with for six years leave, especially if he was the leader of the team. Imagine the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles without Leonardo. Now, imagine the Ninja Turtles replacing Leonardo with Casey because that's what Detroit just did by trading Billups for Iverson. Casey's awesome with a golf club to the face, but he's never been part of an ensemble cast; and it's likely he hits as many turtles as foot soldiers, but I digress.

The problem goes beyond the chemistry issues. They're just fertilizer to the weed I see growing here. Joe Dumars came out and said to the media that this trade has huge implications on Detroit's cap space for this summer, and it does, which has caused all sorts of ridiculous theories about Detroit making serious efforts to pursue Lebron James. Let's get one thing clear: Lebron James will never wear a Detroit Pistons jersey. Detroit is not a step up from Cleveland. Lebron becomes a free agent in the summer of 2010, not 2009, so the Piston supporting cast, whose window may have already closed, will be another year older. Rip Hamilton will be 32 then. Rasheed Wallace will be 36. Tayshaun Prince will be 30. The guys on this team with championship experience will be old by 2010. Now, I'm not saying that Joe Dumars is not seriously trying to hunt down the King, but he will not be successful; and it doesn't matter if Lebron's agent represents the entire Pistons locker room, which brings us to the issue of chemistry.

Most trades that are made to free up cap space take place much closer to the trading deadline because one team wants to rent a player for the playoffs and another team wants to dump payroll and rebuild. One team focuses on today, while the other looks towards tomorrow. Denver just traded for a 32 year old point guard. Denver is clearly focused on this year and next year with the move. While Denver seems intent on the here and now, Detroit seems intent on the here, now, and everywhere. Joe Dumars is like the eye on top of the pyramid, a Masonic symbol.

Joe Dumars made this move three games into the season because if Rasheed and Tayshaun come around on the move emotionally and Rip Hamilton can come off the bench, then perhaps this move keeps Detroit competitive in the East. The problem is Joe Dumars showed his hand. He let everyone, including A.I. and Rasheed, know this deal was to clear cap space, which makes one wonder will either of them invest themselves into a one year project. Don't be surprised if either one finds himself on the move when the trade deadline approaches.

Rasheed's emotional state about the trade is not just a result of how he feels seeing his army lose a loyal soldier, but because he knows what it looks like when entire armies surrender. He felt a Russian winter when he was still a Blazer. He can see the writing on the wall, just as Iverson should have seen it in Denver when Camby was sent packing. Teams don't rebuild one player at a time; whole platoons are sent packing and withdrawn when the occupation has stretched six seasons.

Detroit just folded up their tents and started saving for tomorrow. Now, all we do is watch, wait, and listen. tck tck tck tck tck tck tck tck tck tck tck tck.............explosions can be the end or the beginning of something