JOKERSWILD
20 points

Empty3
18 points

Mike Greenspire
18 points

SoCalF4N
16 points

Lupus G.
16 points

Congrats to JOKERSWILD, the 2008 NBA Playoff Pick Em Champ!

Keep checking for more fun contests, everyone!

-Mike Greenspire

... I forgot about the NBA Finals. I completely forgot that the Celtics and Lakers were playing last night until I saw the ticker on ESPN.

Well, luckily, I apparently didn't miss a whole lot, but at least the Lakers were winning.

I was watching the US Open until 10:20 and was cheering for Rocco to win it, and then Tiger made that birdie shot.

"Unbelievable. I knew he'd make it. I knew it."

That's all Rocco Mediate had to say after Tiger Woods drained the putt on the 18th hole to force an 18-hole playoff later today.

Anyways, I pick Rocco to win by 2 shots over Tiger today.

Now, back to the story. It was 10:30 now. I ran to the cupboard and got some potato chips and a pop and watched the game. I was in a state of happiness for some reason. It just seemed like nothing could go wrong, absolutely nothing.

Well, it did rain, but barely. And there was some really cool flash and ground lightning going on. Or, it might have been the kids two doors down flashing their toy lightsabers up that tree...

Anyways, I can hardly complain about the rain when the Lakers eventually won, but there were some slight bumps along the 3rd and 4th quarters. Our defense looked tired and unhealthy again, but at least for the first time in the 2008 NBA Finals, the Lakers won the 3d quarter, outscoring the C's 24-18.

Well, now that the series is back in Beantown, I don't think the Lakers can win 2 against Boston on the road. I was talking to my Dad yesterday wishing him a Happy Father's Day and he brought up the Lakers.

He asked me "Is the beatdown tonight?"
I said "No, not 'til Tuesday"
My Dad said "Oh, the Lakers aren't playing tonight?"

Not a trace of sarcasm, either. (sigh)

I would definitely worry if I'm Kobe or Phil (Jackson) or Jack (Nicholson), but I actually think we'll be able to pull one off in Boston. It obviously has to be Game 6. It'll be tough, but somehow I thnk that Phil is gonna do something in practice (We' talkin' 'bout practice -A.I.) this week that gets our defense palying like an NBA team, not a bunch of kindergarteners.

Lakers win Game 6. Celts win Game 7. Let me hear your thoughts.

-Mike Greenspire

Here are some rumors I have heard in the past week or two.

Dwayne Wade could be on his way out of Miami. Rumors speculate that the Heat could trade him to the Kings for their first round draft pick and a player or two.

Chad Johnson did not talk to the media at Bengals mini-camp this past week, and is still unhappy about his situation in Cincy. Rumors speculate that he wants to be traded to Oakland, San Francisco or San Diego.

Evgeni Nabakov, rumors say, is unhappy about the coaching change in San Jose this past month after the Sharks lost to the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Sem-Finals.

Speculate, bloggers! What do you think about these rumors?

-Mike Greenspire

I’m sure you saw last night’s NBA Finals game 4, so I’m not gonna waste any time recapping it for ya.

That game was absolutely appalling. I sat from my comfy green armchair and saw the biggest halftime lead in NBA Finals history get taken apart by the Celtics.

It was 35-14 after the 1st quarter. The Lakers had a 21-point lead going into the second quarter, largest in NBA Finals history after the first quarter. They had an 18-point halftime lead, also largest in finals history at the half.

Eventually the Boston Celtics came back somehow and won the game.

So, speculate, bloggers.

Did the Lakers perform the worst choke of all-time?
Or are the Celtics the most resilient team of all-time?

Let me get your thoughts.

-Mike Greenspire

DETROIT- When the Detroit Pistons fired coach Flip Saunders and hired assistant coach Michael Curry to replace him, my first reaction was "They're finally done"

Because I view this move as a downgrade, not an upgrade. Curry worked under Flip his entire three years with the Pistons, but that doesn't mean success. In my opinion, it won't.

Now, with a no-name head coach, I believe that the Pistons 6-year streak of making the conference finals is over. There are too many developing powers in the East right now for them to get back. Orlando, Cleveland, Washington, Toronto, and even Philadelphia are all on their ways to becoming great.

There are several easy things that I think the Pistons should do in the next week prior to the Draft. One, trade your first-round pick (#29) and Chauncey Billups to the Golden State Warriors for their first-round pick (#14). Then, with that draft pick, draft Georgetown center, Roy Hibbert to back-up Antonio McDyess for the first 20-30 games, then start him for the remainder of the season.

They might have a chance to make it back with these moves, but I doubt it. If the Pistons drop below the #2 seed in the East, they might have to play Boston before the conference finals, most likely ending their streak.

Here is how I think the 2008-2009 Eastern Conference Playoff seedings will look:

1. Boston Celtics
2. Orlando Magic
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Washington Wizards
8. Philadelphia 76ers

According to these predictions, Detroit would have to play Toronto in the first round. The Raptors could definitely pull that off, but I would say the Pistons win that series.

Here are the rest of my predictions:

Boston over Philadelphia in first round
Orlando over Washington in first round
Cleveland over Atlanta in first round

So, the Celtics and Pistons would meet in th second round. Boston would win that in 5 or 6, thus ending the Eastern Conference Finals run.

It will end this coming season. Just watch.

If anyone cares, here are the rest of my Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions for 2008-2009.

Orlando over Cleveland in the second round.
Boston over Orlando in the East Finals.

I’m hoping the Pistons beat the Celtics in round 2, because the Magic could beat the tar out of ‘em in the East Finals. GO MAGIC!!!

Thanks for reading! Take care!

-Mike Greenspire