First off, aren't you glad that Shaq trade hasn't worked out for the Suns? I mean, the pundits were right. The Suns have faded into obscurity, and can't win a ball game. 
Wait a sec, this just in.....the Suns are 0.5 games out of first place in the entire western conference. Maybe........just maybe.........they have gotten their legs under them now after a little adjustment period. They've played well and are doing what they need to do. All those who wrote them off might have done so a tad prematurely. Imagine a team with Shaq and Steve Nash actually making no noise in the NBA world. It seems people were too occupied with.....

The Houston Rockets!

The streak has come to an end, rather shamefully with two blowout losses. The crazy thing is how do you win 22 straight games, lose the Celtic game, and find yourself TIED for first? That just goes to show how strong the West has been and will be going into the Playoffs. The winner is going to be a survivor, but may not have what it tasks to beat the real best team in the NBA.......

The Boston Celtics!

How can the Celtics not be the best team in the league, as well as the favorite to win the ring? How many teams have beaten the Spurs twice, the Rockets, Lakers, Suns, and Pistons twice in one season, some of those games without their best all-around player? Any answers? I'll cue the jeopardy music while I wait....
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Seriously, the C's are the best team in the league. They play incredible defense, have 4 scoring options and share the ball really well. They are better than Detroit, hands down. Short of LeBron going absolutely medieval on the Celtics, Boston will represent the East in the Finals....with homecourt advantage.

The Denver Nuggets scored 168 points the other day, which was truly remarkable. But then they turn around and give up 136 to Detroit, who turns around and scores 70 sumthin against Cleveland. 136 for Detroit is the equivalent of giving up 200 points. This means that the Nuggets play not one lick of defense and will not make the playoffs. They have as much talent as any team on Earth, but just don't have what it takes to make the playoffs. When the Warriors play better D than you, your team really stinks.

The Spurs have really struggled lately, and just don't seem to have the chemistry at this point in time. There is still time to make a run and set themselves up, but it's gonna be hard to win 4 series without homecourt. Anything less than a ring and I can't rate the Spurs as a true dynasty. For me, you have to win back-to-back at some point in your reign. It's toughest to win when the bullseye is on your back solely, but that is what the true greats do.

Lastly:

I enjoy the almost daily battles on the FoxBlogs between Kobe and LeBron partisans. The irrational arguments really make my day. On one side, they'd have you think Kobe was the best player to ever play the game, while LeBron is a bum who "pad his stats". I've actually seen that typed by a Laker fan. But on the other, LeBron is King, and Kobe is a ballhog who can't live with another player taking the shots.

Here is the truth. The only true difference between them is age. Kobe is better because he has more experience. But LeBron at 23 is better than Kobe was at 23. Plus it helps to have Shaq to help win games. Kobe has better range and plays better defense, but LeBron is better at the all around game, in terms of passing, rebounding and ####in it on people. Both men at various points have had to carry their team and take a bulk of the shots, mostly due to lack of consistent options around them. Kobe would drive and dish to Kwame Brown, who would fumble the ball out of bounds. LeBron would drive and kick to Donyell Marshall, who would proceed to brick a wide open 3. It would have been darn near impossible for their respective teams to win with each guy averaging 18 points per game. LeBron and Kobe do what needs to be done. When their teammates are hitting the shots, the passes come freely. But when the team struggles, the star has to carry the whole show and pull out the win.

So as of right now....Kobe is better. Check back in a year or so. 

League MVP is Chris Paul. This award is for the most valuable player, not most skilled or the best player, but the guy who affects his teams performance the most. To me it's CP3. It's one thing to score 30 points, it's one thing to have 17 assists (rare as that is). It's wholly another to have 30 and 17 in the same game. I'm not a huge stat guy, but c'mon. His performance defies words. And he plays defense, rebounds for a 6'2" guy and is a leader. Plus, his team is in the thick of the thickest race ever in the West.

I await the Laker fan hate mail.

Laker fans...be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Did I miss something or did the Suns not knock you out of the playoffs TWICE!?!? The first year was a 7 gamer, a downright classic, but last year you got murdered once Amare was on the court. So this season, you add Gasol and an improved Bynum, they add Shaq. The Suns still have better team and better players.

I hear alot of people saying this trade would destroy the Suns. How? The deal makes sense for the Suns and makes them an even bigger threat for the ring.

The money isn't really a big difference, seeing as how Shaq is off the books after next season. Marion and Banks combined make the same amount of money, so where is the financial burden?
Marion is a liability offensively, because he has no real game outside of the lobs and an occasional 3. He actually makes the Suns play 4 on 5 when they get to the Spurs. Shaq would force the Spurs to play straight up, freeing up Nash and Grant Hill. The Suns actually get deeper and better defined roles too.
And the Suns can still run when they want. Take out Shaq, play Diaw. Shaq only will play 30 mins a night, so there is ample opportunity to play small ball. This will allow the Suns to beat any opponent at it's game. Shaq may not be in MVP form, but how many centers get you 14 and 10 in the NBA today? Here in New York, people are ready to #### their pants if Eddy Curry gets a double-double.

One last thing, in the fourth quarter the Suns are gonna be a serious headache to defend. Amare gets to the line alot, and the Suns shoot free throws well. Shaq and Amare together will put the opponent in foul trouble. Lakers fans know quite well that Shaq makes the free throws when he needs to.

Y'know what I see on the site out of Laker fans? Fear, shock, concern, even if it's wrapped in this phony blanket of confidence. The trade is between the Suns and Heat, yet laker fans are everywhere saying "Bring him on, I hope they do it, it'll make the Suns easier to beat!" Lots of tough talk and chest pounding. Deep down though, you know Shaq will like playing in Phoenix, for a laid-back coach, with a chance to restore his legacy, win a 5th ring, AND possibly eliminate the Lakers, and keeping Duncan from having more rings than himself.

Laker fans are sounding alot like Patriot fans were sounding a week ago. And we all know how that worked out.

Think the Suns are ripe for a ring? Or do you think this ends their title hopes?

Here are the moves I see happening and the players involved.

Chauncey Billups is in a bind. I think he wants to leave Detroit, but wants to get paid what star NBA point guards get paid. His free agent options are slim, with only Orlando being a decent team. For him, I see a move that might sound far fetched, but actually makes sense.

Chauncey gets traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Miller and at least 1 first rounder. The money matches up, and Detroit might be desperate to get something for thier best player. Short of him walking to the Bucks, this might be the best move for all parties. I do not see Detriot trading Mr. Big Shot to a division foe like Milwaukee, so he and Michael Redd can light up the scoreboard on them. You don't help out division foes.

You put Chauncey, AI the 2nd and Korver together, and watch the buckets fall. Plus, the Pistons get an experienced point guard and some picks to help fortify the team.

 

Kobe Bryant isn't going anywhere. He makes too much money is there is no way you could move Kobe and get a respectable return. Short of LeBron or Wade, noone is close to Kobe in terms of star power and backcourt dominance. He stays in LA. And to those who question Kobe's desire to win: could you imagine the Lakers record if Kobe averaged 20 ppg, and not been aggresive? The Lakers would have been Grizzly, Atlanta Hawk bad. The only reason they made the playoffs was because of Kobe's scoring. The only mistake Kobe made was scoring all those points. Lose games Kobe! Because had the Lakers been really bad, they might've gotten him Oden, Durant or Brewer. But he gets no help this summer. Kobe should tank next season so he can get OJ Mayo or somebody.

 

Kevin Garnett is an interesting concept to me. I think he is the most under AND overrated player in the League. Underrated because he is a league leader in rebounding, and 20 ppg scorer, a good foul shooter and good soldier. Overrated because he doesn't seem to want to take every shot and seems too selfless at times.

At his contract and talent level, the T-Wolves are in a bind. They want to move on, but don't want to get fleeced in a trade. I see him getting traded.........to Phoenix. Compared to the Lakers, the Suns have a better chance to win now. I see Shawn Marion and some draft picks being the package, maybe even adding a Boris Diaw. Under no circumstances do I trade Amare for KG tho. Amare is much younger and will continue to improve his individual game (which is already at an All-Star, All-NBA level), while KG will stay the same. Marion almost seems out of place now on Phoenix, he can't shoot well enough to be a 3, and as a 4 he loses value playing along side Amare.

KG, Amare, James Jones, Raja Bell, Steve Nash. With a bench of Kurt Thomas, Marcus Banks and Leandro Barbosa.

 

The Nets are making a huge mistake by keeping Vince Carter. He has already shown the inability to take over games late, the lack of shot selection, and the fear of contact. They should let him walk, don't even sign and trade. Get the money off the books. Nenad Krstic will develop into a good big man with a post game, while Richard Jefferson will have more freedom to move and operate. He is the future of your franchise. Plus with the free money you could return Mikki Moore, plus maybe add a shooter or two to open space for J Kidd and RJ.

 

The Cavs need a shooter in the worst way. Boobie Gibson is a good player and should develop even further. To me, Larry Hughes is a liability. He's injury-prone, expensive and just seems to not have the game to score next to Lebron. And the other perimeter players around Lebron are horrid. Sacha Pav, Eric Snow, Donyell. You see why the Spurs trapped and double Lebron at every chance. These guys can't make open shots to punish the defense. The solution might be to scrap the whole team outside of Lebron, Gibson, Varajeo and Big Z.

 

What happens with Ron Artest? His on-court value is still incredibly high, but his off-court value is lower than that Microfiber ball David Stern tried to sell us. Do the Kings try and give him away, or do they demand some good players or picks? Artest on the court could help basically every team in the free world, but the fear of him doing something retarded and getting banned from the league has to weigh heavily on execs minds. I think the Kings will try to get the best package for him they can, but if it's a lose-lose proposition, I expect a buy-out sometime in the Fall.

I never understood why teams sign and trade stars for "expiring contracts". You help the the other team out, TWICE!! You give them a star, and you take their baggage. How is this helping you? You are better off getting the cap room, then signing the best players outright.

 

The Knicks....do absolutely nothing. Noone wants any of the Knicks big players. Eddy Curry plays no defense and doesn't rebound. Marbury, Francis and Crawford are all gunners with at best decent jumpers (not to mention huge contracts). And teams aren't gonna trade impact players for David Lee, Renaldo Balkman and Channing Frye. So the New York Knicks will be what they were meant to be...a 37 win team.

 

Lastly I expect a surprise or two early in the draft. After 1 & 2, you've got lots of solid players and lots of teams with multiple needs. The Celtics will be active to me. They've got tons of young talent, plus they've got Paul Pierce, who needs the change of scenery.

Maybe they pull off a blockbuster trade. How about Pierce and some kids (they got too many to name) to Charlotte for Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace(free agent to be) and #22 pick? The C's would add a defensive and rebounding center to play along side Al Jefferson, have the slashing Gerald Wallace, and still have a good pick to get a Mike Conley or Corey Brewer. The Bobcats would add a bonafide scorer in Pierce, plus a few bargaining chips (imagine a Gerald Green or Kendrick Perkins) for a future deal, and draft a 4 like Brandon Wright.

Think my offseason moves are crazy or on point? Got any you might wanna consider? Holla @ me

Who is your first half MVP of the American League? I know it's early and there is so much ball left to play, but who has been most valuable?

To me the AL winner has to be Vlad Guerrero. The Angels are in first place, and unlike the other good AL teams, Vlad has noone near his talent level on his team. Youkilis, for as well as he has played, is still not the most feared Red Sock. Alex Rodriguez is killing the ball and putting up Ruth-Mantle numbers, but he also has Jeter and Posada. Magglio has Sheffield in Detroit. Hafner has Victor Martinez. Vlad has.........Howie Kendrick. See my point? Vlad is one of my favorite players because of his approach and hitting style. There might not be a more exciting at-bat in sports than his. Other guys might take a pitch, Vlad swings at darn near everything, and still hits it hard somewhere. He's my MVP so far.

By the way, when does the NBA Finals start? Have any of you seen any commercials or promos for it? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

On the real tho, I'm glad that catastrophe is over. Now we can move on to the real NBA season.....the offseason. You've got some big stars in this one. Kobe, Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Chauncey Billups, Rashard Lewis. Now Gilbert Arenas is making noise about wanting to test his value when he becomes free, which might lead to his departure from Capitol HIll. The Eastern Conference better hope that some of those players come (or stay) East. That is the only way to balance out the League.

The draft will be fun, because I feel there will be a few trades. The Suns have ammunition with two first rounders, and I think they feel they need a minor make-over to go all the way next season. Shawn Marion will be expendable. He doesn't fit with the Suns anymore.

Atlanta will most likely draft ANOTHER wing player. It's what they do. They collect Small forwards like Chris Henry collects arrests.

Dogfighting is a felony in the state of Virginia. So if Mike Vick is involved he should be tried in court for it. But for people to act like other NFL players, or rich folks,  don't engage in "immoral" acts on animals is a joke. How about the hunters and sport fishers? Most people fish to make a living or to eat, not to show off. Hunting deer with a bow and arrow to put it's head over your fireplace is wrong too. You're not eating the animal, you're not using the fur for clothing, you're just killing it because you can. Is that right?

Horses are killed all the time, even some former racing champions. Why? Because the owner doesn't want them anymore, or they become too wild. Some of the horses are injured while racing, then are shot or euthanized because it's too hard to take care of them. Tell me, what's the honor in that? How is that more immoral than dogfighting? Can anyone honestly tell me the difference? You are killing animals for your own gain and because you want to.

This just in: Kobe Bryant wants to get traded to another NBA team, yet wants to stay in LA. A recent Youtube video shows Bryant asking to be dealt.

The best move, if I were Mitch Kupchak, would be to send him to the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. It's risky, but might be crazy enough to work.

At least Kobe will have a better supporting cast than what he had as a Laker.

I figured out how the Sopranos really ended: Tony ends up in a jail cell with Pacman Jones.

Happy belated father's day to all the fathers. We might not be as nurturing as the mothers, but we show just as much love, just in our own way.