Sports Talk with MC

by MC

It’s finally close to happening.

Very close.

Kevin Garnett coming to the Boston Celtics, and, potentially, forming a triumvirate in green composed of himself, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce could very well signal the reemergence of the Celts as a force in a lethargic Eastern Conference.

Some critics on the internet have said that the C’s are in the process of making a shrewd move, saying that the unification of Allen, Garnett, and “The Truth” is a sure fire ticket to the playoffs, and, on the grandest of stages in terms of expectations, an NBA title. Others have bashed the move, saying that Danny Ainge only made the said move to save his own neck, and that Boston’s youngsters like Rondo, Jefferson, Gomes, and Green should have been allowed to jell together towards becoming the future of Beantown.

In my opinion, it’s the legacy of the Boston Celtics franchise, in this case, that has worked towards the team’s detriment.

The C’s have won an NBA record 16 NBA championships. The team’s space in Springfield is littered with countless names ranging from Cousy, to Havlicek, to Russell, to Parish and Bird.  In the 1990’s, the franchise struggled through subpar seasons with players like Dino Radja and Sherman Douglas and coaches like Chris Ford and Rick Pitino at the helm. Later on, Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker arrived, making them competitive for a while, until, well, Danny Ainge arrived and sent guys like Marcus Banks, Mike James, and Walker himself- packing.

Now, the Boston Celtics are at a crossroads. Boston can endure several more years in the doldrums and wait for their babies to grow up, or, they can forget “the future” and make deals which, although financially strapping, could make them win in the short term.

It’s because of the Celtic ghosts, who are so used to winning, that Danny Ainge is making this gamble.

Garnett is a bona fide star, but he’s already 31, and could potentially opt out after next year (after, potentially, 1 season in Boston). Pierce is 30, and Ray Allen, 32. How much longer can these men last? Make no mistake about it- the Celtics are not the Miami Heat, but hey, they could have tried to keep, at least, Al Jefferson. He seems to be a Zach Randolph type player (skillwise) whose upside is massive.

As for the TWolves, it is evident by all this Garnett shipment talk that the team’s in the process of rebuilding. Even if they don’t admit it, it’s seemed like Minny’s been in the dumps for the last two years anyhow, so, it’s pretty obvious that major repairs are in order. The TWolves are set to get a couple of things that work in their favor- youth, expiring contracts (i.e. Theo Ratliff), and a draft pick. As good a set up as this seems, one can’t help but ponder at “what ifs” related to a Garnett deal involving teams like Phoenix, Dallas, Golden State, or Atlanta, and not Boston. Could the TWolves nabbed a Shawn Marion, or, a Joe Johnson, or, even a Dirk Nowitzki, along with picks and an aging contract, had they tread a little bit farther, and/or a little bit longer? The tantalizing possibilities that may have existed with other squads are now all but gone, and better left to the imagination.

Once all the humdrum about refs in casinos, and yes, this deal, is done, one big question will remain unanswered come November. That question need not be stated explicitly.

In order to understand the nature of the conundrum, one simply has to gaze up into the rafters of the Boston Celtics’ home court, wonder when the next set of curtains will come, and wonder whether management’s weaving had produced the right set of guys to go to the mattresses with.

Tip off. Garnett gets possession. He pulls up for a jumper.

Hit or miss? Only time will tell.

~0~

by MC

So Greg Oden’s been a foul-machine at the NBA Summer league so far. So Durant’s been clanging more shots off of a basketball rim than Britney Spears had rumors thrown her way earlier in her career than she had had her breasts done.

As much as it is too early to judge Oden and Durant, the number one and two draft picks in the 2007 NBA Draft respectively, their summer league resumes can tell us a few things that may very well be foreboding.

Greg Oden, if healthy and motivated, can be a machine on the glass and as a scorer in the paint. Durant has the athleticism to get by defenders and shoot lights out if left open, or even when covered. The thing is, both men are not, well, men just yet. They’re both 19 years of age, being thrust into the burning media spotlight with reckless abandon. Come November, we can expect Oden to most likely be more poised when it comes to managing his game, but do expect the man to make typical rookie big man mistakes in spite of it. Look for Greg to not do too well from the line. Look for Greg to still commit silly fouls. Also, look for him to not be able to dominate inside ala a young Shaq just yet. In my opinion, Oden may never get to dominate ala Shaq or Wilt. At best, he may be a more athletic Ewing. Durant, on the other hand, will probably be encouraged by Sonics coach PJ Carlesimo to adhere to an aggressive offensive mindset. He’ll be given the opportunity to take shots, and he will, by all means, take advantage of such chances. I don’t think he’ll ever be a 50% and up field goal shooter, but look for his shot selection to improve as he ages. The same goes for his passing, and for his rebounding, which should get better as he gets physically stronger. His development, I think, will also depend a lot on how much he’ll really be relied on in his first year to be Seattle’s franchise messiah. As much as I think Durant is a gifted athlete, he may not manage to mature as fast as most would like him to in his freshman campaign. Give it 2 or 3 years, and we may have the next TMac on our hands, sans the sleepy eyes, and the bulky frame. I say, in a couple of years, Durant will prove to us all why he should have gone number one, and instead of numero dos.

On the other hand, forget summer league odds and ends. What could really matter would be what happens behind the scenes between now, and the end of the first game of 2007-2008. Development, and, overall worth, could very well evolve healthily without much hype. Just ask Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

For now, let’s sit back and watch Oden and Durant grow before our very eyes, without, of course, forgetting that they weren’t the only ones ushered into the NBA on June 29th.

A little Marco Benellini or Javaris Crittenden, anyone? Sign me up for starters.

Basketball is both a game of numbers and of thunder. One can make an impact on sheer statistical dominance, or, sheer passion and hustle. Keen observers measure both very carefully. Casual fans get caught up with those with beautiful crossover dribbles, but not a lick of Grant Hill-esque decency, or Steve Nash-like humility.

Being, and, watching, the summer league is all about looking at both sides of the hoop story. It is supposed to be a cruel summer. It will inevitably such. How depends on which end of the spectrum you’re looking at the larger picture from.

~0~

by MC

Darko Millicic is now an unrestricted free agent, and as I type this piece, I can think of quite a number of teams that are ready to jump at the opportunity to acquire the 22-year old Serbian.

After recently announcing that they planned to sign former Seattle forward Rashard Lewis to a max contract, Millicic’s been left out in the cold to chew on what could have been with the Orlando Magic. Reports have indicated that Darko’s demand was to be paid a salary around the level of 10 M USD, an amount GM Otis Smith wasn’t ready to throw his way.

The former number 2 pick’s agent seems to think that Otis Smith used less than “honest” methods with regards to dealing with the entire free agency situation involving Darko.

Marc Cornstein declared in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel that Millicic would not suit up for the Magic now, or ever again, so long as Otis Smith was at the team’s helm.

Between human beings, Millicic being lied to isn’t the most acceptable thing. However, this is a business, and at the end of the day, the deal that will bring you the most gains at the best possible price will be the way to go. Lewis is a former all-star, Darko is viewed as a bit of a draft day bust. Rashard Lewis was a mainstay with the Sonics, averaging over 20 points a game. Millicic played an average of 23.7 minutes per contest in 06-07, and averaged 8 points and 5 boards. Although many people argue that Darko has the potential to be a star in the NBA, he has not proven to have enough as of yet to let GM’s give him a max contract.

It’s with this sort of logic that the Orlando Magic had to, if you want to put it that way, ditch the 7 foot European, in favor of a sweet shooting preps to pros stalwart.

Will the acquisition of Lewis make Orlando make a dent in the watered down Eastern Conference? Perhaps, but there are still some gaping holes on their roster. JJ Redick still needs to prove his worth, and while his emergence is on hold, Jameer Nelson, a guy who plays more like a 2 guard, will have to run the show. Hedo Turkoglu can’t play a sliver of defense, and is by no means an inside threat. Dwight Howard, as good as he is, has yet to develop a consistent 10-15 foot jumper enough to keep defenders honest. Tony Battie is not exactly Yao Ming (or even Erick Dampier), and Grant Hill, a steady presence on and off the court, looks like he’s headed either to the golf course, or to a contending team.

All factors considered, Stan Van Gundy has his work cut out for him.

It’s a good thing these guys are in the East, or else, the Magic Kingdom would’ve been known as the Tragic Kingdom by the end of the next NBA campaign, whether or not Lewis would end up as part of the active roster.

If I were Cornstein, or one of Serbia’s favorite sons, I would just take the hit (painful yes, but there’s no use dwelling on it), and move forward. After all, Dallas still has Erick Dampier, Amare Stoudemire still has no backup, and the Raptors’ Bryan Colangelo, like a good father, ALWAYS has his front porch open to European upstarts looking to take the alluring NBA Title’s hand in marriage.

Black magic, yes. Reason to be auspicious about the entire picture of the future, if you’re Darko? Absolutely. It can happen, if he can get past the label, the hype surrounding his depature from Florida, and manage to revel in, ironically, the efficient performances the lack of fanfare can tend to breed.

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by MC

For a newcomer, Yi Jianlian, or those who are handling him, are making too much of a fuss about Yi not being a “good fit” for the Milwaukee.

I’m not NBA GM or scout, but how bad can it be? Sure, the Milwaukee area only has around 1,200 Chinese residents, but what is this about anyway, basketball, or marketing? As much as the two are interwoven into each other these days, the former, ideally, still should take precedence over the latter.

Maybe the Bucks could have been better served by drafting Corey Brewer? Or maybe even Joakim Noah? As good as Yi is (or can be), is he worth all this trouble?

And who did the Bucks draft anyhow, the Communist Party, or Yi Jianlian?

It’s just quite aggravating to know that an NBA team is going this far to get someone who, well, isn’t Michael Jordan, or, maybe, even Yao Ming.

Am I the only one who feels this way, or have others felt irked at all of Yi’s (or his people’s) whining?

What do you folks think?

Now I’m not being a racist or anything. This entire situation is just becoming more and more impractical for the non-Chinese party involved.

If you’re the sort who wants top-shelf drama, though, go to Hollywood, and look up, “Kobe Bryant”. There, you’ll be able to get your money’s worth in terms of tears shed, backbiting, Andrew Bynum-slurs, and whining about being the most maligned multimillionaire on Earth.

Ah, life in today’s NBA.

~0~

by MC

No, I’m not about to talk about the television program “Wolf Lake” starring Fil-AM actor Lou Diamond Philips.

 What I am out to discuss, however, is the future of one of the NBA’s best in Kevin Garnett, seen left, with as intense a game face as any. Is the Big Ticket bound for another squad after over a decade wrecking havoc in the Target Center? The prospect of KG leaving Minny has GM’s, coaches, and players everywhere buzzing, even more so than Kobe Bryant leaving LA, I think, from a technical basketball standpoint, that is (sans the showbiz issues).

Yes, Garnett is over 30, but still has much to offer to whomever he is cotnractually bound to. Over the years, he’s been surrounded with supporting casts that either didn’t have the heart (Tom Gugliotta, Ricky Davis, Stephon Marbury, Latrell Sprewell), or the talent (Gary Trent, Troy Hudson, Fred Hoiberg, Rasho Nesterovic), to win in the big time. KG is now at a point in his career wherein he has the prvilege of more or less choosing where he wants to go, that is, if management decides it’s high time to deal the “face” of the Timberwolves franchise. Personally, I think he ought to exercise that power and demand a trade. Whether or not it happens immediately becomes a moot point. Putting the cards on the table would, at least, keep McHale and co. on their toes in Minnesota’s front office.

Where would KG realistically fit in best? Phoenix has made a bid for his services, and the interesting part about a Suns-KG scenario would be the fact that for it to happen, Amare Stoudamire (or Shawn Marion), will probably have to move. Garnett is still an all-star, but wouldn’t it be safer to think long term and stick with the younger Stoudamire, with the fact that Steve Nash is already 33 years of age, in hindsight?

Then there’s the Celtics, who would give up just about anything (seemingly) at this point to get back on the map. Recently, though, it’s been reported that Garnett himself has declined a trade to Boston. I guess the luck of the Irish isn’t that potent after all. Danny Ainge and his boys will have to look for answers elsewhere (Corey Brewer in the draft? Go for it if you can’t trade for a decent veteran!).

Chicago seems to be another prime destination, but get this- any deal involving number 21 will most likely involve Ben Gordon, or Luol Deng. Bulls GM John Paxson could sweeten the pot/lessen the impact of the loss of Deng or Gordon by throwing in Andres Nocioni, but either way, I think that breaking up the nucleus they have down there in the Windy City would be a little bit foolhardy. Then again, the Bulls do need a big man, and a frontline of Wallace, along with Garnett, paired with a Gordon, or Deng, plus Hinrich, and maybe Duhon (or would be rapper Troy Hudson in case he’s packaged along with KG), seems quite a titilating concept, especially in the marshlands that are the Eastern Conference.

Whatever happens to Garnett, he’d better become assertive about it, and fast. Not only is he not getting any younger, the fans down in Minnesota aren’t getting any more patient either, especially after 3 years of postseason drought, along with, well, the knowledge that they have had to constantly deal with patchjob coaching changes, along with the knowledge that at one time, they had Latrell Sprewell on the roster, that is, until he lost his mind.

Shawn Kemp is said to be in shape and available. Now that’s just a side note. I wasn’t expecting it to help any.

Keep an eye on this issue. This man once touted as a “franchise savior” may very well still manage to live up to the hype, but without having assimilate a change in scenery, and maybe (God forbid), even more blows to his already bruised, competitive, ego.

~0~

by MC

In my many years of watching and studying basketball, I have never seen any NBA player whine, and pick at his superiors and peers in an underhanded fashion, as much as Kobe Bryant has as of late.

While he may be the most outstanding one-on-one player in the game today (or ever), his actions as of late may have just tainted whatever legacy was in store for him- for good.

What’s all this news about him dissing Andrew Bynum and GM Mitch Kupchak behind their backs? What’s all this talk about Kobe throwing insults all over the place on an amateur video? What’s all this chatter about him wanting to go to the Windy City, Dallas, or the Big Apple?

As great as Kobe Bryant is, and as much as his numbers, which don’t lie, command respect, he doesn’t command ENOUGH respect, in my view, to bash those who have helped him get to the level of greatness he is at, and in a manner that suggests backstabbing, no less. If he wants to be traded, I say he should just come out with it and quit dragging down the whole ship in the process. It’s enough stress to know that you’re losing your star player, so, it would be better not to add to the strain by going on a tirade that, really, isn’t merited.

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant had a much publicized feud years ago. Why do people seem to be inclined to side with O’Neal as opposed to Bryant? Well, it doesn’t help that Bryant has been accused of being a ballhog, and someone who allegedly “raped” a girl in Colorado a few summers ago, and someone who has notoriously had the tendency to feud with his teammates over matters relating to “his thunder being stolen”. The Diesel, on the other hand, has remained “soft spoken” (by “Hollywood” standards), and his just remained committed to winning, and, if need be, deferring to teammates if and when he’s not “on” (this has never become more evident than in O’Neal’s recent tenure with the Miami Heat, wherein he’s deferred to Dwyane Wade almost exclusively). Yes, Shaq did, once upon a time, volley comments about then newbie Yao Ming which were less than kind, but hey, compared to what his former sidekick is doing now, the Big D’s words then can almost be considered as part of good humor.

Did Shaq carry the Lakers, and Kobe, through all 3 titles won by the Lakers early in the decade? Absolutely. If he hadn’t, then the team would have imploded much earlier than it did.

Supposedly, number 24 wants to go to an Eastern Conference team more than one in the West. I can’t blame him, really, as it seems like the West is more saturated with talent. The less talent, the greater the chance of him being in the limelight, and the greater the chance of Bryant making it far with a patch job sort of team (i.e. Cleveland, circa 2006-2007). Although wanting to be East can’t be helped in terms of making an honest bid for gold, such a fact, in light of Kobe’s public persona at this point, doesn’t help in making him look less conceited.

If I’m an Eastern conference GM (look out, Isiah), would I want a man that once scored 81 pts in a single game on my team? The answer would be yes, but (and I mean BUT), one must also consider all the baggage Bryant brings. KB24 will demand the ball, even to the point wherein certain games will seem to feature 1 on 5 repeatedly. KB24 will demand excellence, both to reasonable (and unreasonable) lengths. KB24 will whine if he isn’t winning, and will do so without class, as evidenced by this recent chain of events. If you can absorbed his 30 a night, plus all the headaches, then you might as well whip out your wallet, your draft contracts, and yes, your lawyer, now.

Somewhere out there, Shaquille O’Neal (and consequently, maybe even Raja Bell), is laughing. They now comprise a club called the “I TOLD YA SO CREW”. There’s no way they, or even us, could have seen this implosion coming, right? Well, maybe not. Maybe, even a wee bit, we saw the possibility of craziness from afar.

We just refused to acknowledged the real chances of it happening on the pretense of Bryant being part of the NBA’s cream of the crop. Heck, he could even be the best.

Like the song goes, sometimes you can give your best, but your best still will prove not to be good enough.

In this case, though, it’s more a measuring of character, rather than profits off endorsements or balling brilliance.

This is one competition related to basketball wherein this disgruntled star clad in gold and purple has failed, and miserably so, I might add.

Only time will tell what will come next in this war of words, and egos.

~0~

by MC

To everybody who is obsessed with Kevin Durant and Greg Oden’s upsides, meet Yi Jianlian.

Yes, there is mystery surrounding his real age and how his skills will carry over to the NBA, but based on what certain insiders have seen, and read, this guy could actually turn to be a more athletic version of Yao. Promising? You bet it is.

Like most Asian cagers aspiring to go into the NBA, Yi has been said to have a mad outside game. His bargaining chip comes in the form of his athleticism. A young Toni Kukoc, perhaps? Maybe, but if he wants to become an basketball fixture like Kukoc was (in some shape or form), then he’ll have to bulk the upstairs up (weights room, anyone?).  He’s actually being compared to a young Garnett, which, in a million different ways, is flattering.

The enigmatic part of this equation lies in the fact that Yi could just be another Shawn Bradley or downgraded TMac type.

Rumors have populated the basketball world as of late that the Hawks, Bucks or the Bulls could pick Yi. The Bulls need a big man, the Bucks need offense inside and within 15 feet and the Hawks need God. Yi could very well fit the bill, in time, on all counts (the God part is sketchy, but hey, he could either be part of a trade package to get God in uniform, or, help represent God through a united front…either way, it’s a decent situation).

Against Team USA back in 2005, Yi averaged 13.5 ppg and 8 caroms a contest in two games. There was a game when he went 16-16. Not bad.

As much as the league Yi’s Chinese Basketball Association team, the Guangdong Tigers, don’t exactly play the Spurs or the Mavericks day in and day out, the man touted by Time Magazine as the next coming of Yao Ming, cannot be counted out in terms of having the opportunity to not only put China on the ballin’ map even more, but also to further the “hybrid player” culture prevalent in the NBA today.

Personally, I think the lanky forward/center’s style of play would fit a run and gun team like Toronto or Phoenix’s the best, but wherever he does land, I’ll be watching, and so will millions of other sports fans, with bated breath.

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*Side notes:

The man knows how to style and profile, too, as seen by his appearance at the premiere of “Pirates of the Carribean 3″ in Anaheim, California on the 19th of May (see this link–http://www.exposay.com/yi-jianlian-pirates-of-the-caribbean-at-worlds-end-world-premiere/p/10868/1/?f=Yi+Jianlian). What’s more, the guy’s got a girlfriend, Ms. Li Yahong, who is a showbiz personality in her own right- a presenter on the game show, “Super 6 + 1″ (see this link–http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-10/13/content_707851.htm).

If this fellow’s got the hubris of a fresh Andrew Bogut coming into the draft, though, please unsubscribe me from his fanclub mailing list. There’s no room for that in today’s NBA wherein on court talent STILL speaks the loudest. Sorry, Andrew, and, Sebastian Telfair and Stephen Jackson, for that matter.

Yi Jianlian is 6 foot 11 and a half, and he tips the scales at 230 pounds. Former NBA MVP Kevin Garnett, with whom Yi has been compared with, is 6 foot 11, and weighs 253 pounds.

By the way, Yi is a lefty. =)

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by MC

We were all witnesses, alright.

We were witnesses to the (temporary) demise of a king.

A couple of nights ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made the NBA Finals for the first time in 37 years, were unceremoniously swept by the San Antonio Spurs to the tune of 83-82. Tony Parker was named Finals MVP, but really, the eyes of the world were on two men- Tim Duncan, considered to be the best power forward in the game today, and Lebron James, the 22 year old dynamo who had, seemingly single-handedly, reversed the fortunes of an entire franchise.

For Duncan, it was his fourth ring in a decade. For Lebron, it was his first trip to the promised land.  For Michael Finley of the San Antonio Spurs, it was the end of a long and arduous, drought.

For Tony Parker, it was, apart from being the latest in his collection of accolades, tantamount to his first Finals MVP award, and the first of two rings with his name on it for 2007- the second of which would come in less than a months time, and within the context of duality. Eva Longoria, of course, is the other half of the two-pronged attack.

In a postgame interview, Tim Duncan said that he loved the way King James conducted himself and handled leading his teammates. I can’t agree with the 3-time Finals MVP more. Although James is only 22, he possesses poise of character not even men twice his age would automatically possess by virtue of chronology. In the King’s postgame interview, he said that he had to get ten times better in the offseason for the Cavaliers to compete, and that he said that he had faith in the fact that his time, as currently constituted, could win an NBA title. The latter fact, whether true or not, doesn’t really matter. Superstars, on occasion, need to tell “white lies” to motivate, and not exculpate themselves, of responsibility when things go awry. Rather, genuine stars tend to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, and make themselves available for comment when those in the midst, still in awe of the events preceding the impending bit of discourse, throw forth inquiries as to the hows and whys of winning and losing. Lebron’s poise, in this case, totally overshadow’s the fact that on the court, he tended to look every bit of 22 against more grizzled cagers like Bowen and Ginobili. You can build up on court mettle through practice, or through experience. Substance inside, though, is something you nurture through reflection, or something that comes in 1 out of every 100 people as a result of upbringing.

Y es, the 2007 NBA Finals had very low TV ratings. The Cleveland Cavaliers were probably in over their heads from tip off during Game 1. Perhaps everyone knew that this wasn’t really James’ time just yet. One thing we sportsfans can take consolation (or pride) in, though, would be the fact that we witnessed, through all the humdrum of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds, would be the fact that we were all fortunate enough to have seen the birth of a dynasty. It’s not every decade or so that we get to see basketball played as efficiently as what the Spurs showed throughout the 2007 postseason, and through the last few years as a whole. They aren’t always the flashiest team to watch, but heck, you can’t argue with results. How far did Golden State go? How far did the Suns go? What happened to the career of master showman Harold Miner? You get the picture.

Lebron will be back, and so will Duncan, at some point. The Nashes, Nowitzkis, Boozers, and Yaos of this world will contend, but until then, the game will be about number 23 in gold and wine red’s journey, filled with growing pains and tremendous success at such an early age, and, furthermore, the coming of age of a Virgin Islands native who didn’t play organized basketball until later in his youth (he began his athletic career as a competitive swimmer) , who now, happens to be the cornerstone of an NBA franchise, an MVP in the truest sense of the word, and, a bona fide champion on and off the hardwood.

Another NBA campaign in the books. Thank you, ballers, for, overall, yet another thrilling ride.

~0~

by MC

Florida Gator in, Florida Gator out.

Why is Billy Donovan trying to opt out of his 5 year coaching deal with the Orlando Magic? If I were Donovan, I’d remember the following things before doing anything remotely close to final:

-Hey, an NBA season is long, and arduous, but the team you are set to inherit is littered with talent, with potential. What’s more, you have cap room. What’s not to like?

-Forget the Rick Pitino incident. Ricky had much less to work with then (Antoine Walker is nowhere near the specimen Howard is).

In Billy’s case, it seems like the quiet life, and loyalty, has gotten the best of him. In truth, I can’t say I can blame him for staying with the Gators, but maybe, just maybe, he should’ve thought of that before whipping out his fountain pen. What’s more, sometimes, when opportunity knocks, you’ve got to bite. The “why’s” and “why not’s” of this dilemma are all written out in black and white in one place- the mind of a 42 year old Winner.

Note the word “Winner”. His reputation precedes him. Evidence of such is the putting to the forefront of the clear cut choice that has been made, and that now, he seems to want to rebuke.

~0~

by MC

Here in the Philippines, the rainy season is about to kick in.

Along with that, comes the impending deluge representative of the glory and drama involved in witnessing, playing in, and breaking down, the NBA Finals.

The Spurs became the first team in with a resounding 109-84 victory over the overmatched Utah Jazz. Carlos Boozer was held to 3-10 shooting, and ace point gaurd Deron Williams was brought back down to Earth, as he was held to 11 points, on 4-9 shooting, along with only 2 assists.

Why did the Spurs win the West this year? Well, apart from Parker and Duncan, and the fact that the Jazz are a young and inexperienced team piloted by an old dog in Jerry Sloan, San Antonio was the benefactor of stellar play from its two Argentinian stalwarts, Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto. Michael Finley’s had a renaissance-type playoff run as well, scoring in double figures in all of 1 of his games in the Western Conference Finals.

In the East, the Pistons and Cavaliers are in a dogfight. A betting man would still stake his claim to a Pistons-Spurs final, but don’t count King James and the Cavs just yet. Wildcard rookie Daniel Gibson’s provided enough toughness, athleticism, and smarts to supplement Lebron’s brilliance, and to make up for Larry Hughes’ woes (he’s been bothered by an injury as of late). Furthermore, allowing anyone whose last name isn’t James to make 12-12 free throws is a felony, plain and simple. Gooden, Varejao, and Ilgauskas have played solidly, and should they manage to keep Rip and Chauncey in check, then there is a good chance that maybe, just maybe, Cavaliers fans can finally witness their team make it to the big stage and erase memories of Jordan kicking Craig Ehlo all over the floor.

Because I am a betting man, I’d say the Pistons and Spurs will still tussle in the 2007 edition of the NBA Finals, but hey, gamblers aren’t always correct. Odds are just that- odds, not final judgments. This is what makes it all so thrilling- the unpredictability of it all.

*Who would have thought Portland would land the number one pick? Look for them to grab Oden and keep Zach.

*Durant’s a shoo-in for the Sonics if Oden goes first.

*Conley, Jr. should go to the Hawks at 3rd because of the mere fact that Joe Johnson needs backcourt help and that Speedy Claxton’s acquisition has turned out to be a bust- a really big one.

*Kobe wants out of LA? Hmmm…I think the melodrama will eventually boil over, with Kobe staying in LA with Jackson as his coach, and LA getting rid of Odom and others in the process of getting help in the form of a solid 3 or 1.

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