National Champs send four in NBA Draft posted by Christopher Arroyo

The people who saw the 2009 NBA Draft on Thursday were in for a special treat when they saw Blake Griffin go No. 1.

Very predictable however.

Then, Hasheem Thabeet went No. 2, which was also predictable. Then things got a bit interesting.

The early shocker was Stephen Curry going number seven to the Golden State Warriors. But what was really neat was that all of the North Carolina players that declared were drafted.

The first Tar Heel chosen was Tyler Hansbrough, who went at number 13 to the Indiana Pacers. This was a good pick, for the Pacers and here is why. Indiana is not known to carry much toughness, especially in the frontcourt.

If you had the treat to see this guy in college then you would know that he’s the real deal for toughness. I think he will start the season on the bench, but he will emerge into that starting position around December.

The second Tar Heel chosen was Ty Lawson, who was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now I know many of you were wondering why Minnesota picked four guards in the first round, which three were point guards. But, rest assured, they ended up trading Lawson to the Denver Nuggets for a future first round pick.

This is the BEST team for Lawson. You’re putting one of the top, and under-appreciated, point guards in the draft on a team that is surrounded with rising talent. He is also going to appreciate being an apprentice to Denver’s Chauncey Billups.

Probably the most respected guard in the league and known for his patience and leadership on and off the court. Sadly, he will be a bench player for a few years but, learning under Billups will definitely make him one of the top point guards in the league. This was really the best move of the draft Denver should be strong under the point guard position for at least the next 10 years if all goes well.

Lakers Teamwork brings a Home a win posted by Hank Hill

Western Conference Finals Game 5: Another Battle But Kobe Makes Right Decision For Lakers Win!!!!! As I wrote in my last couple blogs teamwork wins, and LA and Cleveland have not been playing as a team, either Bryant or James wins it for their team or they have lost because Orlando and Denver have been playing with teamwork for the whole playoffs.

Last night Kobe flipped the switch and used his team by having 8 assists a game high, and driving to the hoop, this means he  then draws the double team and last night he was then kicking it out for open shots for his team mates (instead of trying to take a hard shot while doubled) and that is how the Lakers can win and were able take this one. Kobe only took 13 shots, hitting 6, but by driving to the hoop he went to the free throw line 11 times and hit 10 so Bryant only ended with 22 points because he did not just keep shooting as usual, instead he controlled the tempo and made the right passes so all the Lakers starters and bench were involved,

Fisher had 12 points, 2 assists and played good defense, Ariza also had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The Big men, Gasol with 14 points, 10 rebounds,4 assists, Bynum with 9 points, 2 rebounds and an assist and Odom my game MVP off the bench with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists and all three of these Big men controlled the paint and this gave LA a huge advantage and the win with a final of 103-94!! But this game was a lot closer than the scoreboard shows-- the game was tied 25-25 after 1 quater, 56-56 after 2 quarters heading into half. This was because Anthony and Billups were on fire in the first 3 quarters and C. Anthony had a game high 31 points, with 4 rebounds and 4 assists and Billups had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, but Denver had trouble in the paint and the Lakers took control at the beginning of the 4th.

The Eastern Conference Finals -- A Very Entertaining Game posted by Hank Hill

In the Eastern Conference finals, Orlando is showing everyone that they deserve to be in the finals!!!! They beat Cleveland again last night in a battle and, I might add, a very entertaining game giving Orlando a 3-1 series' edge!!!! Crazy, they already have commercials playing that are basically saying it's Kobe vs James rather than Orlando vs Denver.  I think that's awesome as I always love the underdogs!!!

Back to last night's game. L. James played a great game scoring 44 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists but is that enough to carry and win this for his team?  Not in this game.  Orlando was trailing most of the game, down by up to 16 points in the 1st half, then an 8 point lead going into half by the Cavs. So going into the half Cleveland looked ready and L. James was getting some help from West (17pnts), Wallace (off bench played great D), Williams (18 pnts), and IIgauskas (12 pnts). But in the second half, Orlando came out on fire with a look that said they were on a mission and were going to come back and take this, and they did. They shut everyone down on the defensive end and scored a franchise record 17 playoff threes, all when they needed them. So heading into the 4th, the Magic cut the lead from 8 to 1 and now it's anyone's game.

R. Lewis scored 17 points but 10 in the 4th -- huge!! D Howard was hitting most of his free throws which is real big in these games as every point matters. He ended with 24 points and a game high 14 rebounds. Also Alston had 26 huge points, 3 rebounds, Turkuglu scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, and Pietrus off the bench scored 17 points!! So as you can imagine, this was a crazy 4th quarter with a score going back and forth, then with about 5 minutes left ,Orlando hit back to back threes and led by 8.

Kobe and LeBron facing similar dilemmas posted by Chris Strickland

Or is it dilemmi? Either way.

As the entire NBA world eagerly awaits the potential match-up of Kobe and LeBron in this year's finals, they also can't help observe it's getting increasingly difficult for them to get there. The Magic and Nuggets are hitting their strides at the right time, with bench players stepping up at crucial moments, Van Panic and Karl making good coaching moves, and both team's point guards acting as the leaders they can be. Even if the current and future MJ's of our time average 50 a game for the rest of the playoffs, it won't matter. That's not how you reach the Golden Summit (Yes, I just used "Golden Summit" as an analogy for the Finals. Deal with it. I like it.).

If Kobe's Lakers are going to utilize home-court advantage and take this 2-2 series, Lamar Odom's going to have to step it up, dawg. You can't just score 7.5 points a game against Denver. They aren't the Clippers. Also, learn to box out. CHRIS ANDERSON SHOULDN'T HAVE MORE UPS THAN YOU. As someone who watched last night's humiliation, I can safely say the only thing more embarrassing to watch than Anderson jamming home the tip-in on a missed shot was his lamer version of TO's eagle routine, shouting a "wooooot" bird call to Denver's lame bird-loving fans as he ran backcourt. That, to me, was the epitomy of the bench differential. Denver's reserves are whooping Los Angeles'. Where's the depth? James Posey was a HUGE reason the Celtics won it all last year. At least their bench showed up.

As for "King" James, his supporting cast has been getting manhandled by Orlando's size, speed, and a combination of the two. This is clear as day because Coach Van Panic has done a solid job of exploiting Cleveland's lack of depth. Michael Pietrus (Who?) has 39 points through the series' first three games, which is THE NUMBER ONE REASON Orlando has a 2-1 lead going into tonight's Game 4. Pietrus finds any way he can to get into the lane, while the Cavs just stand and watch. On the flip side, Wally, Joe Smith, and Sasha Pavlovic, what the f*** are you staring at? Putting Pietrus on LeBron, too, was a great move by Van Panic. If only he'd kept him there for that last shot in Game 2. 

NBA Final 4 Rock Equally Hard -- Lakers Step Out First posted by Peace Wilson

You never hear the term "Final 4" applied to the NBA conference finalists. That marketing marker is applied to collegiate March Madness.

But this exhilarating post-season, the L.A. Nuggets are in a dead heat with the Denver Lakers, as of midway of Game 3, Western Conference final.

And the Cleveland Magic are in a dead heat with the Orlando Cavaliers, on the strength of King James's miracle 3-pointer with 1 sec. left.

The switch of brand names with the respective cities well illustrates the nonpareil level of neck-in-neck competition.

But soft, a front-runner slowly emergeth.

Denver Nuggets 52, Los Angeles Lakers 48 at halftime.

Lakers are lookin' like a team in transition again, as in finding themselves, not game phase only. Hinges a lot on getting Bynum un-sulky and effective again, particularly being a stalwart defensive presence with blocks and rebounds.

Lakers 61% FT with 3 mins. left in 3rd. Sucks.

81-80 Lakers 7:16 4th -- finally caught Nuggets.

Ferocious Kobe 3-pt. shot with 46.4 secs. remaining, 96-95 Lakers.

Kobe misses second foul shot, 97-95 Lakers. 37.1 secs. left, Nuggets ball.

Arriza theft on inbound pass, fouled, makes 'em both, 99-95 Lakers. with 24.6 left, Billups makes both fouls shots, 99-97, Lakers. Bryant fouled, 22.2. Makes both. 101-97, Lakers. Bryant at line again, 12.4. Makes both. 103-97.

Final score, 103-97, L.A. Lakers, as they show their #1 road warrior grit and take control in the final seconds, closing out a pivotal game against the Denver Nuggets.

The Black Mamba, the stoic Spaniard, the wide-ranging Condor Lamar, slowly re-emerging Bynum D, the hyper-quick Arriza, with his clutch steals on late-game attempted in-bound passes.

Obama’s Speech Wasn’t Controversial. But, Charlie Weis’ Coaching Is, Bobby Lashley Would Thrive in the UFC & The WWE Will Beat the Denver Nuggets in a Fight posted by Colin Linneweber

Obama’s Speech Wasn’t Controversial. But, Charlie Weiss’ Coaching Is

Amidst great controversy regarding his support for abortion rights, United States President Barack Hussein Obama II presented the commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame last week.

Notre Dame’s President, The Rev. John Jenkins, was widely criticized by dozens of American Catholic bishops for inviting our nation’s 44th President to speak and also for granting Obama with an honorary degree despite his stance on abortion.

Following the commencement, Obama spoke last Sunday night at an Indianapolis fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and he initiated his address by jesting that the hoopla surrounding his appearance at South Bend “paled in comparison to what to do about the football team.”

“That’s an issue we may not resolve within my four years,” remarked the graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

“Eight,” shouted a spectator in the audience, obviously disenchanted with the Fighting Irish football program that has a record of 10-15 over the past two seasons on the gridiron.

“All right, well, maybe in eight we might get it done,” Obama, 47, teased.

Irish Head Coach Charlie Weis, who has gone a disappointing 29-21 at his alma mater since becoming the 28th head football coach in Notre Dame history, signed a 10-year deal worth a reported $30-40 million in 2006.

Assuming that he doesn’t receive his deserved termination notice beforehand, the contract would allow the portly Weis, 53, to waddle along the Notre Dame Stadium sidelines through the 2015 season.

Top 10 Things Mark Cuban MEANT TO SAY to K-Mart's mom posted by Chris Strickland

When Mark Cuban told Lydia Moore that her son, the Nuggets' Kenyon Martin, was a "thug" after Game 3 of the Nuggets-Mavs series, he crossed a line. I thought I'd point out the Top 10 Things he MEANT TO SAY to Ms. Moore:

10) "I know he's not a thug. No real thug would ever get sponsorship from K-Mart."

9) "I meant to say, 'Your son's a cool dude,' not, 'Your son included.' Had some margaritas during the game. Slurred my words."

8) "THUG is an acronym. It stands for Totally Hip Underestimated Gamer."

7) "I want Kenyon to be in my new show, 'Thuggin' It,' about a group of NBA players cleaning up run-down neighborhoods."

6) "I was trying to reward you! Every thug-mama received a free chalupa that night."

5) "Last I checked, you're not a thug unless you mock our national anthem, reference slavery, and get caught multiple times with grass (no, I'm not talking about you, Josh Howard)."

4) "Why are you looking at me like that? Seriously. Stop it."

3) "Look, thugness is a good thing. If Nowitzki had your son's thugness, he'd be unstoppable. Like a German ghetto man-child."

2) "As long as Kenyon's not friends with TI or Vick, I take it back."

1) "Your son may be a thug, but he's nothing compared to 'Melo." 

There's clearly no shortage of thugs in the NBA. Just look at Artest. The only way the Rockets are going to beat the Lakers is if Ron Artest literally KILLS Kobe Bryant. That's the only way. Lakers take Game 7 in a blowout.

Dallas Mavericks weakened by Denver Nuggets' physical play in Game 1 posted by Peter

The Mavs have just finished the series with the San Antonio Spurs who plays with speed and finess. Now, they face a Nuggets team that plays a different brand of basketball: a physical, pound the paint, and defensive style of playing that the Mavs could not adjust to in Game 1.

The Nuggets went for every block and every steal while clogging up the lane and batting away any one who dares come near the basket. The Mavs were frustrated by the non-calls and could not play their slow, half court game. The Mavs became careless with the ball and just gave away the ball in the second half. That, and the Mavs bench didn't show up.

What will the Mavs need to do to have a chance at winning this series? Take care of the ball, and play some defense in the paint. Nene scored 24 points in game 1 when he averaged only around 10 in the Nuggets-Hornets series.

And maybe if the refs would call a few more fouls on the Nuggets instead of the street ball: no blood no foul mentality. Jason Kidd touches the hair on Melo's arm and gets a foul, but Dirk getting pulled down at the waist in the middle of a shot by Nene doesn't count? We have HDTV now, refs, we can see everything you missed!Continue reading "Dallas Mavericks weakened by Denver ..."

Denver Nuggets look good??!!?!? posted by Gary Cairns II

I'm not a fan of the nuggets but i'm not a hater either. I call it how i see it.. Chauncey Billups has shown how important he is to a team, Detroit imploded the moment he left and the nuggets thrived.. They are all Healthy and can play fast and slow ball and have good defense.. Chris "Birdman" Anderson is a force of the bench as well..

I feel they are true contenders for the title.

It seems they have matured immensly and George Karl finally has a team that may get him a ring...

I also have to admit they are exciting to watch. I dont like watching them against my team but i feel thats a compliment to what they have become... most NBA Games i don't sit and watch only the few teams i love i watch but Denver is a highlight reel almsot every time they have the ball.

I keep hearing "Don't get to excited about the nuggets cause the Hornets just didnt show up"  I think the Hornets were just out classed in every position.. Chris Paul can still learn alot from Billups and it shows from his maturity and Paul's Lack of it atleast in this series. Hornets are one team i thought were contenders coming into this season but they got worse while others got better... I'm sure we will see some changes on that roster come next season...

For now i give the Nuggets credit and my ut-most attention...

Playoff Excitement Part 1: Winning in the West posted by Michael J. Shambaugh

With the first round of the playoffs slowly crawling towards the end, and so much excitement developing around the league, I want to take some time out side of the Blazer Box and take a quick look at the two conferences and what they have brought us this playoff season.

We’ll start with the West…

Los Angeles Lakers versus Utah Jazz:  It was no question as to which of these two teams would be moving on in the first round, but building up to their season finale match up, a lot of people wondered: “Is L.A. going to give their final home game of the season away to Utah for a chance to play Dallas in the first round?”  Most of us expected as much to happen, but there was obviously something the Lakers knew that we didn’t.    We saw it once Dallas destroyed San Antonio in the same fashion that Los Angeles destroyed Utah.  Not much excitement out of this series.

Denver Nuggets versus New Orleans Hornets:  After watching Monday’s Game 4 in New Orleans, would you believe me if I told these two teams split the season 2-2?  The Nuggets bullied the Hornets around like a Varsity team beats up on a Junior Varsity team, or the Freshman team for that matter!  There is no excuse for losing a game by 58 points.  Chauncey Billups now has one more thing to add to his already extensive resume.  New Orleans is probably in the worst situation of the teams left in the playoffs.  They have won 1 game by 2 points while they have lost the other 3 by double digits each time.  Where do you start when trying to adjust for game 5? How about turnovers? Chris Paul and his Hornets committed 27, which lead to 41 Denver points. Shame on you New Orleans.

Nuggets' Smith gets jail for fatal crash (AP)

A judge sentenced Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith to 90 days in jail Tuesday night for causing an auto accident that killed his friend, though Smith will likely end up serving only 30. Municipal Judge Debra J. Gelson suspended 60 days of the sentence providing Smith performs 500 hours of community service consisting of visiting sick children at hospitals. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Few big spenders likely in free agency (AP)

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Wolves pick Lawson, deal him to Nuggets (AP)

The Denver Nuggets have traded a future first-round draft pick to Minnesota for the rights to North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson. The Nuggets, who lacked a first-round pick for the fourth straight year, landed Lawson in exchange for a future first-round pick they acquired from Charlotte last year. The Nuggets have coveted Lawson, who opted to return to school last year and then led the Tar Heels... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Nuggets, Pacers to play game in Taiwan (AP)

The NBA will play its first game in Taiwan this fall. The league said Friday the Denver Nuggets will face the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 8 in an exhibition game at Taipei Arena. Taipei will be the seventh Asian city to host an NBA game. The others are Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Shanghai, Tokyo and Yokohama. [read full article]

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Odom: Candy has helped me play well (AP)

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