With the blockbuster deals that the Celtics pulled off last year, everyone and their dog is going to be looking for next year's 'Celtics' for the 2008-09 season. With the signing of Elton Brand, the 76ers have immediately made themselves a very big part of the 'looking'.
Last year the Philadelphia 76ers finished the regular season with a 40-42 record, and earned a 7 seed in the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs. In that series, they played 'somewhat' tough to end up falling in 6 games to one of the best playoff teams we have seen in the NBA over the last 6 seasons in the Detroit Pistons. After holding a 2-1 lead over the Pistons, they ended up dropping the series in 3 straight embarrassing defeats. Including the series final of a 100-77 blowout.
With Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, and Samuel Dalembert, the Sixers already had a strong nucleus to build around for their 2008 campaign. Now they add the talents of Mr. 20 and 10 Elton Brand. In my opinion, Elton Brand is the most undervalued Power Forward in the entire NBA. Now before you berate me on the comment, I'm well aware that he was the 1st overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. I'm also well aware that he will be making over $15 Million in salary for the 2008 NBA season. And I'm also well aware that he is coming off a season-ending injury. But..........in his 9 year career he has only been named to the All-Star team twice, and has only been named to the All-NBA 2nd team once (Nary a 1st team selection.). For a guy who is currently posting career averages of 20 ppg and 10 rpg, this seems to be a bit disrepectful of his talents to date.
The main reason for his supposed 'disrespect' lies solely upon the shoulders of Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming, Amare Stoudamire, Carlos Boozer, and formerly Shaq and Kevin Garnett. The West was always a tough league for a big man to make the All-Star team. Much less making the squad as a member of the lowly Clippers.
Now Mr. Brand finds himself amidst a solid core of veterans in Miller, Iguadola, and Dalembert. And now the Sixers find themselves as having one of the best, if not the best, front courts in the entire NBA.
Is Elton Brand's addition to the Sixers better than Jermaine O'Neal's addition to the Raptors? Most likely. He has better parts around him. Although O'Neal finds himself with another 'stud' alongside him in Chris Bosh, they don't have much else to go with them, particularly a point guard with the talents of Andre Miller.
Will the Elton Brand deal be the 'blockbuster' trade going into the 2008 season? It remains to be seen. But if my gut tells me something, and my gut really liked the Celtics off-season deals to get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett last year, this one smells like a winner. It also has a bit more franchise longevity behind it as well. With a younger cast than the Celtics big 3, the Big 4 in Philly have a few more years to make some things happen than the small window that the Celtics are currently working in.
The biggest question at hand is if Elton can return from injury to post his 20 and 10 form from years of lore for the Sixers in the 2008-09 season. If he can, then the Sixers have seemingly stamped themselves as immediate contenders in the Eastern Conference, and maybe the NBA as a whole. Throw in the O'Neal move to the Raptors and the Eastern Conference may have suddenly moved themselves into a stronger position against their 'so-called' bullies in the Western Conference.
Sixers to win it all in '09? Could be. When the worst team in the league can maneuver themselves into a title, then why not the Sixers in '09? Is Elton Brand as big of a signing as Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were last year?
Doubtful. But we have already seen stranger things happen.
I grew up as a Sixers fan witnessing the unbelievable talents of Dr. J.
He was my 'first' favorite player in the NBA. During my childhood years I became to hate the Celtics and Lakers as they were the dominant teams while my hero could only go on to claim 1 title in his illustrious NBA career.
Logically one would think that I would become a Jordan fan then, right? Nothing further from the truth. With all the Jordan hype and mayhem that ensued in his emergence, I was simply turned off. I found myself searching for players/teams that would simply stand up to Jordan and his mighty Bulls. Unfortunately, it was hard to find a player/team that I could truly endear myself to. I hated Georgetown and Patrick Ewing, thus I could not like the Knicks and their brash team. I disliked the Pistons, because...... well, they were the Pistons. Unfortunately for the East, the days of the Pistons and Knicks of old, have brought about an 'ugly' brand of basketball that is not very fan friendly.
That is when the league truly divided into the 'high-flying' West and the 'rough and tumble' East. Since the early 90's the West has seen Run DMC in Golden State, Clyde Drexler and the potent Blazers,Karl Malone and John Stockton with the Jazz, Chris Webber (in his prime) and the Kings,Hakeem and the Rockets. But in the East, there have been very few 'superstars'. Guys who held the tag as 'the franchise'. Sure we had Shaq in Orlando, but that was short-lived before his trade to LA, and the eventual crumble of the Magic after his departure. Other than that, the East has had.............the Pistons? Again?
The very framework of the league is partial to the West right now. It is fan appealing, and has the vast majority of elite-end superstars. The East has the 'dreaded' Pistons and their multi-talented star-less crew, LeBron and the Cavs, and NOW the Celtics..........finally.......... again. (I never thought I would ever type, much less say those words.) I have always liked Ray Allen since his days at Connecticut. I have always liked Paul Pierce since his days at Kansas. And KG? What is there not to like about the guy? All three have usually been 'team' players and all about team basketball. All-business, honest, and people that you would claim as trustworthy.
I have openly pined for a Lakers/Celtics final this year. I got my wish. Unfortunately for us all, we are witnessing some of the worst basketball ever played in an NBA Finals series. Is it the referees? Doubtful, but many have proclaimed this Finals to be fixed by the Donaghy crapshoot and the 'horrific' referees in game 2. Is it a dried out league due to overpaid and overhyped superstars? Are players softer nowadays? Can we all watch a game without a player vehemently complaining to a referee? Is it the allowance of 'zone' defense?
I don't know.
But what I do know is the brand of basketball played by the Celtics and Lakers in the 80's was much more appetizing to watch. And isn't that what the NBA is truly after?
Now onto the Finals at hand. I can't diss a Laker fan who felt the referees in game 2 were a bit 'easy' on the Celtics and 'hard' on the Lakers. The 38-10 free throw discrepency is a bit alraming. But it isn't like it hasn't happened before in the NBA playoffs this year. In my eyes, I felt that the Lakers became relunctant throughout that game to blame the refs instead of hitching up their shorts and playing hard-nosed tough basketball. Kobe in all his greateness nearly pulled off the 21 point deficit to claim victory in game 2. WIthout any doubt, Kobe is one of the best 3 or 4 players in the league right now.
The funniest thing to me is the switch and sway of fans, experts, and the like who proclaim each game as 'do or die'. Every game in a 7 game series is crucial. One does not trump the other. And as it stands right now the Celtics enjoy a 3 - 1 advantage.
Will this series see a 7th and penultimate game? Let me just say, I wouldn't bet against it. Kobe is, and will be, a special palyer. Just like LeBron is, and will be a special player. Certain players have a 'knack' for the moment. Kobe nearly brought the Lakers back from a 21 point 4th quarter deficit in game 2 against the Celtics in Boston. Sure he needed help, but in the history of the NBA, who hasn't?
To call this series as being officially over is a bit misleading. The Lakers were very competitive in Boston in both games. As were the Celtics in the 1st two games in LA. I called the series as a toss up from the start, and I fully expect it to get to a 6th game.......at the least.
Are the Lakers done? No.
Are they close. Sure.
Will they roll over and die like many are predicting? I very much doubt it. They may lose game 5 in LA, but it won't be without a fight. They may lose any of the remaining 3 potential games to Boston, but I fully expect a solid effort from Kobe and crew throughout.
Question is: Will they whine if the calls don't go their way, or will they hitch up their shorts and defend their Western Confernce Championship like many of us expected them to? They have been hit in the mouth at home. Giving up an NBA Finals record lead of 24 points should fuel anybody's fire.
Step up, or chump out and whine. It is time to see what Kobe, Phil and the Lakers really have. And if I'm right, I think they have a lot of fight left in them.
First off, I'm considering the Celtics/Pistons series as being over. Final. Over. Done. Fine
Welcome to the media hound that is the NBA Finals:
VS.
Without a doubt, Kobe Bryant is playing the best basketball of his entire career. His 39 point performance against the Spurs in game 5 was an exclamation point on the season he has had. His 17 points in the 4th quarter, and clutch (yes clutch) play down the stretch carried the day for the Lakers in the 5th and final game against the Spurs.
The men in green on the other hand, have been struggling a bit in these playoffs. But........ there is always a but. They did beat the team with the 2nd best record in the league (yes the Pistons) on the road in game 3 in Detroit. Their ONLY road victory in this years NBA playoffs.
The Lakers on the other hand closed out the defending champions in a short, sweet, and decisive 5 games. That after rolling through a tough series with the Jazz. The Celtics (or Pistons) will have home court advantage, but the wagering money will likely be on Kobe and the Lakers.
Who would/will your money be on?
Personally, I see it as an absolute toss up. The Celtics have the home court advantage, but the Lakers are playing better basketball. When it is a toss up we MUST go to the particulars of the match ups. I'll try my best at presenting that for you.
First and foremost, you have to start with this years league MVP: Kobe Bryant. Love him or hate him, he has absolutely elevated his game this year to another level. You can argue that Pau Gasol was a large part of that, but a simple look at history shows that ONE single player cannot do it alone in the NBA. Jordan had Pippen. Bird had McHale and Parrish, Magic and Kareem had each other........plus Worthy. Odom had been there in Kobe's struggles, but they needed another guy to go with them. Gasol proved to be that guy. His stat lines may not be all that impressive, but........ as usual stat lines don't always relate to wins and losses. Without a doubt, the addition of Gasol has put the Lakers over the hill as the elite in the West.
Now for the East: or should we say Boston? The Celtics (or Pistons) will enter the NBA Finals with the better record and hold home court advantage over the Lakers. The Celtics truly have a 3-headed monster in Pierce, Garnett, and Allen. But throughout these playoffs one of these heads has been largely missing. In particular..... Ray Allen. He livened up a bit in game 5, but can he carry it through? 5 years ago if these 3 guys were together on the same team, it would have been a no-brainer for them to win the NBA Championship. With what is likely their best years behind them, the big 3 still impose as a tremendous obstacle for the Lakers. On any given night, each and every one of these guys can still go off for 40. The Lakers truly only have 1 guy who can do that.
The biggest problem for the Celtics is that they do not have a match up for Kobe. Much less Odom. The biggest problem for the Lakers is that they do not have a match up for Garnett. Point guards are virtually a tie, but one would have to give the nod to Fischer due to his experience.
Shooting guard: Without a doubt it is going to Kobe and the Lakers. Ray Allen may be pegged as his adversary, but I'd be fairly shocked if the C's don't do a 3 man rotation with Rondo/Pierce/Allen to guard him. Personally, I'd stick Rondo on him to chase him all over the court, and then throw Eddie House and James Posey at him as well. And at the least the latter two to be VERY physical with Kobe.
Point Guard: Fisher is a big shot, big moment guy for the Lakers. He is heady, experienced and plays some solid defense. With that said, Rajon can take advantage of him. Better, faster, younger, more physical guards have proven that they can get into the paint against the Lakers. This is a very important match up for the Celtics to win if they want to be successful against the Lakers.
Small Forward: The Lakers weakest point. A huge stronghold for the Celtics. Pierce should be a big factor in this series. If he isn't, the Celtics chances drop dramatically. As much as Kobe will dominate for the Lakers, Pierce has to dominate for the Celtics in somewhat an equal mode. If Kobe scores 40, he has to score 30. James Posey could show up here in a very HUGE mode as well for the Celtics. They have a tendency of playing him in late game situations, and he usually pulls through. Posey is a definite wild card factor for the C's.
Power Forward: Lamar Odom is a nightmare match up for anyone at Power Forward. Think Derrick Colemen........ when he was good. Physical enough to play inside, soft enough to beat you outside. Question is whether the C's use Garnett or Perkins? If it is Perkins, Lamar will step outside. If it is Garnett, then Odom is not a factor. Period. Problem in that is how much can the C's give up with Gasol vs. Perkins? Maybe not much?
Center: Does either team truly have a Center? I think the 'Power' Forward argument has already brought this to light. Garnett, Perkins, and Big Baby will likely be in the mix for the Celtics. We may even have a Pollard sighting in the Finals. On the Lakers end you have Gasol and Odom. And then they will throw a high energy Ronny Turiaf at you. The Celtics should hold an advantage here. They must, if they want to win.
INTANGIBLES: Garnett, Pierce, and Allen expected to be here. Kobe and company..........midseason? Phil Jackson is a proven coach. Doc Rivers is a relative rookie in these parts. The nod goes to the Lakers with Phil on the bench.
OVERALL: I'm still calling it a toss up. But my gut tells me it is Kobe and the Lakers, as I watch the Big 3 ALL get close again, but never kiss the trophy.
It will be painful, but..........there is always a but.................... GO CELTICS!!!
Thus far in the NBA Conference Semi-Final series, the home teams have combined for ONE home loss. The only loss being the heartbreaker the Orlando Magic suffered yesterday to the Chauncey-less Detroit Pistons.
I heard a stat on ESPN tonight that indicated an NBA team has not won an NBA Championship without AT LEAST 3 road wins during the playoffs. I believe they said......EVER. (Of course, I may have heard it wrong as I wasn't listening all that closely.) I find that stat very hard to believe. But if it is true, what that really means is someone will need to step up big time on the road in the near future. Likely starting in the next couple of nights.
The first contender that comes to mind is the Boston Celtics. The team with the best record in the league were extended to a full 7 game series against the lowly Atlanta Hawks. A team that honestly didn't even belong in the playoffs. Sporting a lofty 37-45 record coming into the playoffs the Hawks earned a playoff spot despite having an inferior record to 3 Western Conference teams that did not make the playoffs. Included in those 3 were the Golden State Warriors who finished with an overall 48-34 record. If the Warriors played in the East they would have not only qualified for the playoffs, but would have enjoyed a 1st round home-court advantage in the East.
Now I'm sure none of these stats are new to any of the well-informed NBA fans that we find here on FoxSports. I was simply using them as a guide to how poorly the Celtics are playing at a time when they need to be 'putting away' their suspect and weak Eastern Conference opponents. The Celts should have put the Hawks away in four, and at the least 5, games. Hopefully it was a wakeup call for the men in green, but with their current struggles in Cleveland, it doesn't look very promising that they will put their road woes away anytime soon.
In the West the Lakers did what they were supposed to do in the 1st round against the Nuggets and swept them in 4 relatively easy games. HOWEVER..... in round two they have lost two straight to a very tough Jazz team in the Delta Center. The very site of the leagues best regular season home record. Now they face a must-win contest at home in game 5. With an ailing Kobe Bryant don't put it past the Jazz to upset the Lakers in this series. Last nights OT win can only build more confidence for this up and coming squad. But I'll still take the Lakers in 7.
The Hornets and Spurs series is looking very much like another duel that will come down to a 7th and deciding game as well. I look for the Hornets to pull through as Chris Paul continues to show that he can get into the lane virtually any time he wants. Duncan is no longer the force he used to be, and Ginobli and Parker aren't playing at near the level they were in last seasons playoffs. But as they say, a champion is always tough to beat, and if the Hornets were to pull this one out, they may be just satisfied with the season as is. One has to believe that anything short of a championship is a bit of a disappointment for the Lakers, and I look for that 'expecting to be here' attitude to pull them through against the upstart Hornets. Especially when they enjoy the daunting home court advantage.
In the East, regardless of the Celtics road woes, it is hard to see them not making it to the NBA Finals. Unless LeBron pulls off some heroics of playoff past, it is very difficult to see them winning a game in Boston. LeBron simply doesn't have the horses to go with him to compete with the Big 3 in the mighty green.
The Pistons hold a 3-1 advantage over an extremely feisty Magic bunch. In reality, the Magic could have just as easily swept the Pistons, as much as they are now down 3 games to 1. But such is the moxy of the Pistons. Over the past 7 years there probably isn't a more playoff savvy team than the Pistons. They are simply the toughest out in all the playoffs. To beat them you have to play on both sides of the court. However, with the recent injury to Billups (especially a hamstring) it is hard to see them beating a much more talented squad in the Celtics when they hold the home-court advantage. And as we have seen throughout these playoffs........ home court is huge..........EXTREMELY HUGE.
So as we wind it down in the NBA Playoffs it looks very much like a Celtics/Lakers Final. The series the NBA, as a league, is reeling for.......... the series most fans are looking for as well. I'm a Cavs fan, and I still want to see a Lakers vs. Celtics final. Blasphemous? Maybe, but It is time for a marquee matchup once again. Time to see Kobe tested on the biggest stage in all of basketball as THE man. Time to see if the Big 3 from Boston can overcome the current biggest superstar in the league with a strong supporting cast.
But if the playoffs keep holding true to form, as they are now, it is hard to see a team WITHOUT home court advantage to pull off an 'upset'.
But isn't that EXACTLY what all the Kobe and Laker fans are secretly desiring? Their 'underdog' superstar leading their Lakers to victory over the 'supposed' best team in the league? Is it time to herald Kobe as one the best players in NBA history? Or is it time for Garnett, Allen, and Pierce to garner the title that they have all worked so hard for this year?
Sure, I may be a huge LeBron and Cavaliers fan, but this time I'm rooting as a fan. As a fan of the NBA. And right now what the NBA needs the most is the Lakers and Celtics .............in the Finals, yet again.
That player, still to this day is Kareem Abdul Jabbar
I grew up during the days of Michael Jordan. I witnessed the entire rise to fame of the 'supposed' Greatest Player of All Time. I witnessed in live motion Jordan's winning jump shot as a true freshman to secure a National Championship for the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 1982 NCAA Championship game over Georgetown. I witnessed his incredible 63 point performance against the Celtics. I witnessed his sideways-fadeaway jumper winner over the Cavs, and Craig Ehlo. I witnessed his 45 point performance and 3 million 3 pointers, combined with the 'shrug' against the Clyde Drexler led TrailBlazers in Chicago in the '92 NBA Finals.
Jordan.
That is all you have to say. Everyone knows, everyone acknowledges it. The best player of all time.
The simple fact is.......... he isn't.
Kareeem Abdul Jabbar IS the Greatest Basketball Player of All TIme.
The problem is, most of you just don't know how great his dominance was. You have heard of Wilt Chamberlain and his 100 point performance. You know about Shaq and his dominance in the post during his NBA career. But you really don't know about the dominance of Kareem.
Born and raised in New York City, Kareem Abdul Jabbar is STILL considered the greatest player to EVER come out of New York. In High School and college Kareem was known in his birthname as Lew Alcindor. In reality, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor. Old folks in New York would still consider him the "Big A".
During his freshman year at UCLA under the guidance of legendary coach John Wooden, Kareem.......excuse me.... Lew Alcindor would beat the starting 5 of the UCLA Bruins with a bunch of freshman recruits. They were the 'scout' team. The teams he regularly beat in practice won the NCAA National Championship. During his 3 year stint in which he was "allowed" to compete? The UCLA Bruins won 3 National Championships. Another oddity to know about Kareem/Lew collegiate career is that they disallowed 'dunking' because of Lew Alcindor and his dominance. What happened? Lew/Kareem and the legendary 'sky hook'. Nobody has repeated it, nobody has even come close. Quite possibly the most unstobbable shot in the history of the NBA.
In Kareem's 2nd year in the NBA he led the Milwaukee Buck's to their 1st and only franchise NBA championship. The first of his 2 NBA Finals MVP's. Neither Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, or whoever your favorite has that feather in their cap. Kareem WAS the #1 pick overall as well. He went to the last placed team in the league and won a championship in his 2nd year.
Kareem is a 6-time NBA MVP. He is a 6-time NBA champion. A 10-time NBA All-First Team, and a 5-time NBA All-Second Team.
Often overlooked during his Lakers stint, in which he was already in his 13th year in the league........Kareem was as much a part of the Lakers success as Magic Johnson. Kareem's career spanned 2 generations. An unbelievable run, especially for a big man.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar. The best baskebtall in the history of basketball. As far as I know the ONLY player to win a high school championship, an NCAA championship and player of the year award, along with an NBA championship, MVP, and NBA FInals MVP. Find me a player who has done that............ then we might be able to argue.
If you want to read some more about the greatest player in NBA history. Check on these...
The team with the best record in the NBA had to STOP the record run of the Houston Rockets.
During the Rockets streak , they beat Western conference teams such as the : Warriors, Kings, Hornets (twice), Nuggets, Mavs, and the almighty Lakers.
But what it actually took was an Eastern Conference team to do the deed.
The Boston Celtics had to do the 'dirty' deed to save the face of the Western Conference. And in doing so, they unfortunately saved the face of the LA Lakers at the same time.
After consecutive whoopings that the Spurs took at the hands of the East, and the eventual demise of the 22 game win streak by the Rockets......one has to ask..... How 'weak' is the East?
Are you starting to believe in the Celtics?
The power of the NBA is changing. Can you feel it? Do you notice it? Or do you still want to hang on?
Time to take notice Western Conference fans. The NBA championship WILL be decided in the FINALS this year.........
albeit,.......In the EASTERN Conference Finals ......
Recently some strange events have been occuring in our sports world, that just don't seem to have any logic or validity in their reason. I'll preview just a few of them for you.
NHL Salaries: The NHL season is over, and without much fanfare. However, after some big trades, and, most importantly, some big contracts , it makes one wonder how the heck these teams pay these guys? The Stanley Cup Playoffs received lower ratings than the Food Channel. Go ahead, and look it up. A cooking show featuring how to cook great hamburgers on the grill during the summer received better ratings than the Stanley Cup Finals. And what do NHL players get for their reward? Cuts in contracts? A shortened season? Fines for poor play? No. They get to sign outrageous and lucrative contracts.
Paul Kariya just signed a 3 year deal with the St. Louis Blues worth $18 Million. Yep, that is $6 Million dollars a year (and no, I don't think he is Lee Majors either) for a player that plays in a league with less viewership during their championship series than the Food Channel network. To put this into perspective, Marc Bulger, QB for the St. Louis Rams made $549,500 last year. Ed Reed, one of the best Safeties in the NFL made $581,800, and last years league MVP, LaDanian Tomlinson made $5,001,320, still shy of Kariya's latest contract. With the NFL having the most viewership of any sport in the USA, and the most viewership of any event in the world (The Super Bowl), how does a pretty good hockey player make more money than the NFL MVP? This is just plain ridiculous. I've often said that athletes salaries are off the charts, and that no one deserves to be paid more than $1 Million a year regardless of what they do.
There are CEO's of forturne 500 companies that don't make salaries of $1 Million. Question is, why do our athletes get paid that much? And why do athletes of sports nobody cares to watch, get paid so much?
If you want to check out the salaries, you can find them on the Fox Sports website.
Andrew Bogut: Mr. Bogut, the former #1 pick in the NBA draft made some comments to a paper in his home country of Australia. I'll leave his quote and let you figure it out:
"The public's image of NBA players is true. A lot of them get caught up in the hype and do video clips with rappers and all that ####. They want bling bling all over themselves and drive fast cars. But that's just the way the culture is in America - if you've got it flaunt it and if you don't, you can't."
"I'm not into jewellery. I've got some earrings but they're not too expensive. There are guys who drop a hundred grand for a chain. The public's got it right - a lot of NBA stars are arrogant and like to spend lots of money and have lots of girlfriends and all that."
If this was America's Funniest Home Videos, then Mr. Bogut just gave the US a grand ol' kick in the groin. All the stories of players living the life in the NBA aren't just stories. This is a guy who plays with these guys night in and night out. He see's this #### on a regualar basis, and all he pretty much has to say is how ridiculous the lifestyles that many of these players lead. And we wonder why we can't compete in the Summer Olympics and garner even a visit to the medal stand?
Barry Bonds and the MLB All-Star Game: Barry Bonds will be playing in this years MLB All-Star game, in his own hometown and ballpark. He received over 300,000 votes in the final days to achieve this status. You can check out some of the following links to get the stats, http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Barry+Bonds+ MLB+all-star+game+votes, but the sad story is Barry will be playing, regardless of what you think of him and his chase for the all-time home run record in MLB. Giants fans must have been logged on and voting with a passion over the final days to get their 'hero' into this contest. Oh well, I guess it makes LaRussa's job of finishing out this year's selections of who should be playing a lot less controversial. But in the end, does it really matter? Nobody will watch this game anyway; just like the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Professional All-Star games are a joke. But that is a whole 'nother post to get into in and of itself.
A-Rod's Wife: Supposedly she showed up at a recent Yankess game with a t-shirt/tank top with the words #### YOU written in bold letters on the back. (I'll let you figure out what it said.) And no, it wasn't in small print, it was very viewable. Some fans left their seats with their children to get away from such nonsense. I'm not a big fan of gossip in any sport, but I have to wonder, maybe Alex has a reason to hang out with hookers and at strip clubs. At least they are more mature than a 12 year old.
I-Phone: If you were standing in line, and in some places sleeping in line to get an I-Phone, you need to get an I-Life. The I-phreaks, I guess, were out in masses to get the latest in geek-technology. One has to wonder why one would spend $600 on a phone. But then again, maybe I'm too simplistic in my nature, and don't understand the technology wiz of this contraption. But then again, I'll wait for 2 years and buy one for $100. Probably another reason why America is I-phat, and throw that in with the PS3 craze when that thing came out, and I have some serious problems with the intellect and social structure of our great nation. These kinds of events scare the holy I-#### out of me. Get off the couch America, there is a world out there for you to enjoy, and most of it doesn't entail a computer, phone, or dvd player. It is real people and real events such as a softball game, a golf match, or your kids soccer game. Get in tune with what really matters.
Well, that is my simple rant for the past week. But I'll leave you all with a good thought. College Football is only 59 days away before a slew of games kick off on August 30th. I'm sure there will be people actually watching these games, and no one will be wearing a $100K gold chain, whilst we enjoy watching amateurs (if you want to call them that) play our favorite game in the grand ol' US of A.
That has been the huddle talk all year for LeBron and company in Cleveland. LeBron has raised the spirits of his team to believe. Not in him. But in themselves.
Kobe, on the other hand is in another off-season crying for better players and crying to be traded........not traded........... I love this team..........I need to go. I don't know, I'm 5 years old mentally. What do you expect of me?
The difference between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James is more than you can see in their individual play. It is more about the love of the game, and most importantly the love for their teeammates.
LeBron LOVES his teammates, regardless of their plusses or minuses. He LOVES playing basketball at its highest level with 11 other players. He has made it his passion to take Daniel Gibson under his wing and make him believe. Make him believe that he is better than DANIEL thinks he is. THAT is why Mr. Gibson scored 31 points in the decisive victory over Detroit.
Would a teammate of Kobe's ever step up in a game that mattered? DOUBTFUL. Kobe does not stand behind his teammates. He doesn't go to war for them, he doesn't back them up. Most likely they are scared of him and the repercussions of when they do something wrong. They are simply on board to do whatever Kobe does. Win or Lose.
And in those situations, it usually means lose unless 'Joe Superstar' can perform unbelievable unhuman events. Kobe didn't do that this year. Probably never will again. The 81 points was nice. During a regular season game against nobody that mattered. Gee Kobe, that was great.
After Game 2 of the Detroit series, LeBron said, "No Excuses". He made a statement to his team that they don't have excuses for losing, regardless of what hand they have been delivered.
LeBron made a statement that whoever makes the mistake, it is a TEAM effort that lost the game. He made "No Excuses".
What happened next? Four straight, and a decisive game 6 victory in Cleveland before all the Witnesses.
So if you really want to know the difference between Kobe and LeBron. Well, it is pretty simple. One guy has a TRUE desire to win. A TRUE love to win, regardless of who gets the hype. The other guy just wants the headlines. One guy loves his teammates with a true passion, the other guy still just wants headlines.
One guy wants to win, period. The other guy just wants to be better than Jordan.
I've played a lot of sports in my lifetime. Jr. High, High School, and College. The guys, the leaders that made me play the hardest were the ones that believed in me. When I became a senior I instilled that belief in my fellow players. We were a unit. We would play our guts out for each other regardless of who was the star that night. It was about winning. It was about the TEAM.
LeBron is that guy. He is about the TEAM. Kobe. He is about Kobe. I've seen a lot of those guys in my lifetime as well. All they do is complain. All they do is lose to better TEAMS with better leaders.
LeBron is a leader. Teams follow a TRUE leader. Kobe and Wilt? They just fade away.
Hmmmmm..... Kind of sounds like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, doesn't it?
Sorry I cut this one short all. I could go on and on. But there is a reason why people IDOLIZE Kobe, and there is a reason why people LOVE LeBron. To me, it is that plain and simple.
First and foremost congratualations to the coaches, players, fans, and organizations of the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams have encountered tough opponents, and some tough series to get this far.
The NBA Finals start on Thursday @ 9:00 EST this week. Good news for Cleveland Cavaliers fans because LeBron and company need some rest after a hard fought 6 game series with the Detroit Pistons.
The King vs. Mr. Fundamental. LeBron vs. Duncan. Easily 2 of the 5 five best players in the league will be the spotlight in this matchup. But in all reality, they will not be the deciding factors. San Antonio does not have a matchup for LeBron, and Cleveland definitely does not have anyone to guard Duncan. Bowen and Ilgauskas will try mightily but will need a ton of help to be successful. Holding either player under 25 points will take a huge effort by either team.
I say, why fight it. Especially for the Cavs. Let Duncan get his 30+, just don't let Ginobli, Parker or Finley kill you. IF the Cavs can hold GInobli, Parker, and Finley from having break out scoring efforts of 20 or more they just might have a chance.
WIth that said lets analyze the matchups:
Point Guard: Tony Parker vs. Larry Hughes/Daniel Gibson. I've felt that Larry Hughes has been the achilles heel for the Cleveland Cavaliers these entire playoffs. He did step up and perform admirably in the Detroit series but it was his bench counterpart, Daniel Gibson, that put the Cavs over the top to defeat the Pistons. Tony Parker is playing the best basketball of his career. No doubt this has to favor the Spurs, but if Gibson can keep up his play from the Detroit series this may not be as much of a no brainer as we all might think: Advantage: Spurs
Guard/Forward: Sasha Pavlovic vs. Ginobli/Finley. Along with Duncan, this is where San Antonio will enjoy their biggest advantage. Sasha is getting better but he is a far cry from Ginobli or Finley. Unless Sasha can bring some serious game, this is what I consider the difference in the entire series. Advantage: Spurs.
Guard/Forward: LeBron vs. Bruce Bowen. Bruce Bowen is considered one of the best lock down defenders in the league. So was Tayshaun Prince. Advantage: Cavs.
Power Forward: Duncan vs. Gooden/Varejao: Cleveland will try to guard Duncan with a 3 headed rotation in Ilgauskas, Gooden, and Varejao. None of those matchups are good for Cleveland, heck they struggled guarding Rasheed in the post. Cleveland will need to avoid as much foul trouble as possible in this matchup. Don't be surprised if Duncan fouls a couple of these guys out in a couple of games. Advantage: Spurs.
Center: Ilgauskas vs. Oberto: The All-Ugly 1st- Team NBA team members go head to head in this matchup. This is a foreigner freak show. These guys are both built around defense and rebounding, although Ilgauskas has a little more scoring punch. Advantage: Cavs
Bench: With Horry, Ginobli, and Brent Barry coming off of the bench, the Spurs look to have a decisive advantage. Don't be so quick to give it to San Antonio. WIth the added punch that Gibson has supplied off the bench, the hustling of Varejao, and the sometimes clutch shooting of Donyell Marshall, the Cavs aren't as outdistanced in this category as you might think. But with the experience and deeper bench, the Spurs have the edge. Advantage: Spurs
Coaching: Gregg Popovich vs. Mike Brown: You're kidding right? This is probably the worst matchup of them all for Cavs fans. Popovich is probably the most underrated coach in the league. Personally, I think he is the best. His counterpart on the Cavs sideline is easily one of the worst coaches in the league. Advantage: Spurs
As you can see, I don't see a bright outlook in this one for the Cavs. They have matchup problems abound all over the court, and their biggest problem is the matchup OFF the court between the two head coaches.
Unless LeBron can bring to the table 4 more of his Game 5 performances in the Eastern Conference Finals, I don't see this one as being much of a contest.
But then again, we all thought Dallas would dominate Miami last year, and that the Lakers would throttle the Pistons in 2004. Stranger things have happened and the Cavs may be a team with destiny on their side. However, I'll call for this magic carpet ride to come to a screeching halt. The Cavaliers are a year or two away, and the Spurs are too veteran a squad to let this opportunity slip by.
We were all witnesses tonight. We all saw the best player in the league pour in 48 points. On the road when it really mattered. A game the Pistons had to win. A game the Pistons were SUPPOSED to win. A game......well, quite simply, LeBron won.
Thank You King. Thanks for letting everybody know that you are not overrated. Thanks for letting everybody know that this league, the NBA, is now YOUR league for the next 15 years.
Ladies and Gentleman, you were just witnesses to the changing of the guard. In more ways than one. LeBron, as I have said all along, IS the best player in the league.
After a disastrous first 2 games in The Palace, LeBron has put his Cavs on the middle of his back. He has now carried them to a home victory away from displacing their Eastern Conference nemesis, and a game away from The Finals.
Now, I'm not counting my chickens. No, No, No. Detroit still has the swagger of a team that has been to the Eastern Conference finals for many a year. I'm not kidding myself. This thing is FAR from over. The Pistons have won an NBA Championship. They are a veteran ballclub with a ton of fight. They have been the team to beat in the East for quite some time. Don't let me confuse you with my earlier indication. I'm just here to prounounce that the King has made his statement, and he has ARRIVED. Regardless of how this series may end up, LeBron is here. LeBron is now. Now it is time for you to deal with it.
He has had many naysayers. He has had many non-believers. Consider me a person who has NEVER been part of that group. I remember the ESPN games when he was in High School. I remember the hype. Heck, I was part of it. He was the most talented player I had ever seen. He was going to be the next..........LeBron.
Yep, thats right. To, me he had no comparison. Nor should he. There has never been a player with more raw athleticism and a straight up gift for the game than LeBron when he entered the league at a meager 18 years old.
Balk if you will, I posted a blog about game 1 asking for LeBron to show us. I posted a blog about him begging to show us the here and now. I posted saying that it was his time. It was time for LeBron to be LeBron.
He has answered. And mightily mind you. Welcome to the next 15 years of the NBA. The here is now. The HERE is HERE, and it is NOW.
Thanks for responding LeBron. Now make me even more proud, and put those Pistons out to their misery. I'm not a PIstons hater. I'm just not a Piston's fan. There is no doubt that I have much respect for the Pistons. We all should. They have had their run. Can the Pistons respond? I have no doubt that Game 6 in Cleveland will be an outright brawl. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pistons showed their moxy and beat The LeBron's.
It was just nice to see, my boy. The new NBA Superhero, show his mettle tonight. Thank You LeBron. Thank You, for showing me the future I knew that you had.
It is time for you all to jump on his bandwagon. I have a comfy front seat if you like. Enjoy the ride.
Last night, the Cleveland Cavaliers led at halftime. The led by 12 points 50 - 38.
Much like the 1st game on Monday night, the Cavaliers were dominating the flow of the game, and they were pushing the ball up the court for easy baskets. LeBron was at his best in this type of a game and the Cavs had a 12 point lead. (On Monday night they had a 6 point lead, that easily could have been about 20.)
Then it happened. It happened again. They started the 2nd half. The Cavaliers immediately went into a shell of their 1st half selves and fall into a slow half court game. They have no business playing Detroit in a half court game. They will get dominated. The Cavs don't have a solid jump shooter on the court, and nary a strong post player on their roster. They rely upon solid defense, rebounding, and LeBron in the open court. If they want to play Detroit in a half court game, they may as well forfeit the series.
So why do they fall into the same trap that they did in game 1? I have to start looking over to the bench where these decisions are made. Mr. Brown, what do you have to say for yourself? Right now you could, or perhaps the better choice of words is SHOULD, be up 2-0 with the series going back to Cleveland and a potential sweep of the Pistons at stake. Now you are down 0-2 and clinging onto your playoff lives. You have allowed your big time starts to disappear in the 2nd half of both games, and allowed your team to play the tempo that the Pistons want to play at when it means the most. You are not giving your team its best chance to win. You, Mr. Brown, are failing.
Detroit has too much experience in late game situations for the Cavaliers to be able to execute offensively with any precision. Heck, everybody knows what they have to run. LeBron will have the ball at the top of the key, and will try to drive to the hole for a layup or dunk. Mr. Brown is not inventive enough to even have a cutter going towards the hole to take even a little bit of pressure off of LeBron. What the hell was Varejao doing standing out by the 3 point line when LeBron was driving to the hoop? He should at least be cutting towards the hoop for a possible dish and dunk, let alone being their for a possible rebound as well. Where is Pavlovic setting up for a mid-range jumper? Where are the other options to at least show a hint of something else other than LeBron?
LeBron was left to play 1 on 5 that final possession. LeBron was left to play 1 on 5 pretty much the entire 2nd half. Cleveland just doesn't have anyone to help take the pressure off of him. Pavlovic may eventually turn out to be a reasonable option for the Cavs, but he definitely needs some seasoning. Other than that they do not have an offensive threat in game endiing situations that you would even consider defending. Detroit knew that. The camera shot from above on the final Cleveland possession told it all. Every Piston player on the court was closer to LeBron than any other Cavalier player on the court. There was no design to have anybody set a pick; anybody to be cutting towards the hoop; anybody ready for a mid-range jumper. It was LeBron.
I was critical of LeBron's decision in game 1. Mostly due to the fact that he had a layup, heck, most likely a dunk, if he had committed himself to the opportunity. Last night he was committed, but mostly due to the fact that Mr. Brown had undoubtedly called a play in which LeBron was the ONLY option.
I've seen some poor coaching in the NBA. We all have. People make mistakes. But these coaching decisions aren't mistakes. They are just plain common sense. Jordan, Magic, Barkley, on and on and on. They were all called upon to handle the ball in late game situations. Many times they took it upon themselves to take the shot. But their coaches always afforded them the option of getting other teammates involved. They were NEVER 1 on 5. They always had players cutting toward the hoop. They always had players setting screens for them. They always had multiple options depending on what the defense gave them.
After watching the final play of game 2, I'm almost convinced that the play called at the end of game 1 was THE option. Only if Marshall was covered was LeBron supposed to take the shot. As stupid as it sounds, I'm pretty sure that was how it was drawn up in the huddle. After watching the ridiculous series of events that ended game 2, I am honestly starting to believe it. Can a coach possibly call two game-ending plays as poorly as Mr. Brown has?
It is a tough question to ask. But a question that I would like answers to. Players are paid large dollars to execute. Coaches are paid large dollars to put these players in the best postion to execute and be successful. I'm seriously starting to question if Mr. Brown has the capacity to do this. These past 2 games bring up more questions about Mr. Brown, than they do about LeBron. LeBron is playing hard, and without much help from his teammates.
It also looks like he is not getting much help from the guy on the bench wearing a suit. Maybe we should get my old high school coach to step in for games 3 and 4, and we can see if we can get the Cav's back into this series. I have little doubt that he would be as effective, if not more effective than Mr. Brown has during this series. Maybe we are asking the wrong guy for the answers to our questions.?
The stat line reads: 5 for 15 from the floor, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 personal foulAND 1 LOSS!
In case you are wondering who this stat line is for, it is LeBron James' stats in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. 10 points. HIs lowest ouput in his career in the post season. A very inopportune time for this to happen since the Pistons just didn't look inspired to play on Monday night. The Cavaliers caught the Pistons on an off night and still couldn't get it done. The Cavs outrebounded Detroit 49 - 41, and had 9 fewer turnovers, and still lost.
This was the game that Cleveland needed to turn the tables on this series. Now, not only do they have to hold court at home, they need to steal one from Detroit in their own house. This doesn't seem likely after all the events that occurred last night in The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. Cleveland should have had Detroit down by 20 points at the half. They only led by 6. Detroit then showed just enough moxy to show why they have won an NBA championship, and for now, why the Cavs are just pretenders.
As I stated in the initial stat line, LeBron James had a very un-LeBron-like night. Sure the rebounds and assists are up to par, but in order for the Cavs to beat the Pistons, they need LeBron to be "The Man". 10 points a night won't cut it. LeBron needs to be pouring in 30+ and dominating the action in the 4th quarter. That didn't happen last night. LeBron was much too intent with passing the ball off to his inferior teammates. The final possession in which LeBron took Tayshaun to the hole, he decided to pass off to Donyell Marshall for a possible game winning 3. Donyell played all of 10 minutes last night and scored 2 points. He was far from having the hot hand. In fact nobody on Cleveland had a hot hand. Thus it is up to LeBron to finish the business. Be the star. Be the hero. Take this team on your back, and show the rest of the NBA what you can really do. That is what we are all waiting for.
Nice pass LeBron.
Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley made some very candid comments on TNT after the game. Essentially they were beating LeBron up pretty good. They were admitting that he is the most talented player in the league, and it is time for him to step his game up. It is time for him to dominate playoff games in the 4th quarter. It is time for him to demand the final shot, demand the ball in crunch time. They both agreed that stars are paid the big money because they are expected to come through in the crunch. They are expected to make the big shot. You didn't see Jordan or Barkley passing on the final shot. They always took it into their own hands and finished the business themselves. Role players are role players. Stars are stars. That is why there is such a separation between the two.
Jordan and Barkley both made and missed many game deciding shots throughout their careers. They also shone the brightest when the stage was the biggest. LeBron is in his 4th year in the league, and at age 22 is younger than most of his NBA superstar predecessors ever were carrying such a burden. No doubt LeBron will mature and grow, but it is games like these that will define his career.
I believe that LeBron James is the best player in the NBA right now. Better than Kobe, better than Nash, better than Duncan. However, it is time for him to show the rest of the world why he was nicknamed King James. It is time to show why he is the most hyped player in the history of the NBA. It is time to demand the ball, LeBron.
Your time is here........... your time is now. It's time to be the man and take the shot.
Tired of some of the #### that gets spewed on this site? Sick of some of the unobjectionable idiots that run around here? Well, your friendly mastermind Notradomus is here to set you straight. Maybe even set you free.
There have been some comments made in the public, the media, and this godforsaken blogsite as well, that quite simply just don't make any sense. Your best buddy and friend, Nostradomus, is here to set you straight. As your friendly host I'm here to get you back on the course of being a sensible and reasonable fan; let alone blogger.
The points that I will address to you are the following:
The Suns and Spurs series
The SEC
Phil MIckelson vs. Tiger Woods
The Detroit Pistons
The Cleveland Cavaliers
Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs
The Suns Vs. Spurs Series:
Everyone pretty much knew that this would be a great series. Two unmovable objects moving against each other. The BEST DEFENSE in the league vs. the BEST OFFENSE in the league. The reigning MVP vs. Tim Duncan and company. The question everyone had is: Could the Suns FINALLY beat a quality team when it really mattered? This question has yet to be answered. But I see signs that they can and WILL compete. After a 1st game loss at home they responded with a 20 point victory. They then fought, somewhat, in game 3.
Speaking of game 3, I have a lot of problems with this one. The Suns complained all game about reffing. You know how I feel about reffing. Don't let it affect your game. Move on, become a man, and step up for your own destiny. Never rely upon someone else to make YOUR destiny. The Suns fell into that role. They kept complaining. Kept whining. Kept blaming someone OTHER THAN THEMSELVES for being beat. I have also heard that #### from bloggers all over this site as well. QUIT IT!!
I'm here to be your friend and mentor. Complaining about the refs shows weakness. Get back up off the floor, or field, and show that you have the determination to win. DO NOT, blame your failures on anyone OTHER than YOURSELF. Once you start doing that you have already lost. This is a lesson I learned A LONG TIME AGO!
With that said. The Suns have a huge obstacle to overcome. The Spurs are playing inspired basketball, and Tony Parker is more of a threat than anyone would have thought. He is almost playing as the equal to Steve Nash's hero. I'm not saying he is better, but it is definitely closer a challenge than I ever thought. The Suns have some definite questions to answer in game 4. The biggest question is how much HEART do the SUNS HAVE?
The SEC:
Yep, the SEC again. A month and a half removed from the Gators National Basketball championship, and 4 plus months since the Football championship. And what do we STILL HEAR? How great the SEC is.
Congratulations. Seriously, I give you a HUGE pat on the back. But enough is enough. Celebrate amongst yourselves, the rest of the country really doesn't give a ####. Not to mention our conferences have achieved AS MUCH if not MORE than your beloved SEC. You still don't have a team ranked in the top 10 as far as National Championships won, or victories earned (except for Alabama). You can complain and argue all you want, but the simple fact remains, you JUST AREN"T AS GOOD AS YOU THINK YOU ARE.
We respect you. We just don't fear you.
Phil Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods:
This is going to get good. At least as far as the media is concerned. Phil has won a meaningful tournament (The Players this Sunday) since his meltdown in last years US Open.
The media is now going to be focused on the fact that Tiger and Phil are now ranked 1 and 2 in the World Golf Rankings. Problem is, Phil is so far UNsuperior to Tiger that it just doesn't matter. They can talk and jibe all they want it to be, but the simple fact remains: Tiger is the best player on the planet, and HAS been for 10 YEARS. Thats right, 10 YEARS. I wish I could have made my bed for 10 years let alone being recognized as the BEST golfer on the planet for that long of a period in time.
Don't let the media fool you. They will try as they may, but TIger is STILL the MAN, and always will be until: Oh lets just say Phil wins another 9 major championships? Thats right, Phil would need the NEXT 9 Majors to surpass Tigers already standing accomplishment. Call me when he catches him. By that time it will be 2010, I'm sure I'll have changed my number anyway.
The Detroit Pistons
Can these guys just go away? Please? I hate this team. Every single one of them. Not a player on this squad that any other team in the league really wanted, or wants for that matter. But collectively, they play as well as anybody; especially when it matters. Chauncey, Rasheed, Tayshaun, and Rip, play with such unselfishness the rest of the NBA is embarrassed. Even the Spurs.
This is the matchup I don't want to see. The Spurs vs. The Pistons? Sure it would be a tough, hard fought, close series, but do you really want to see a 79 - 76 final score in any NBA Finals game? That just may well happen if these two defensive stalwarts square up.
I have no reason to hate the Spurs and the Pistons. I like the Suns, the Cavs, and the Mavs. Maybe I only like teams with a 4 letter nickname. Maybe I just don't like defense. Who knows. It would just pain me to see the Spurs and Pistons in the Finals. Problem is; that very may well happen, and most likely will (60% chance). I have no problems with Detroit, it is just a tough team to like if you don't live in the Motor City.
The Cleveland Cavaliers:
Now here is a team I can like. A city that the rest of the world gives grief to. They haven't won a championship in anything since Jim Brown roamed the sidelines in the NFL. And I'm sure none of us can remember that, much less have been alive to witness it.
Cleveland is the brunt of every bad city joke on the planet. If I lived in Cleveland I would probably move because of it. (Just kidding.) But I have started to love this town because of that rap. AND, because a man by the name of LeBron James is playing ball there. To me, LeBron is the greatest talent I have EVER seen come into the NBA. I wasn't old enought to witness Wilt or Kareem come in, but outside of those guys, this is the most hyped introduction ever.
For that, I kind of feel sorry for the guy. The hopes and aspirations of 2 million people lay on his 21 year old shoudlers. And broad they are. Smile Cleveland. You are home to THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA. Yep you heard it here, from your buddy Nostra. LeBron IS the best player in the NBA. The real question is, can he guide his mates to an NBA FInals appearance and a shocking NBA title. Let me be the first to say that he can. The question is: When?
Dirk and The Mavs
So the MVP is done with his season they tell me. The MVP is a choke artist. The MVP is a joke? DOUBTFUL .
Dirk Nowitzki is 7'0'' tall. Dirk does not run the point. Dirk does not control when and where he will get the ball. He can only demand it. Shaq has run into this problem many times in his career. But Shaq being a Center, gets away with it. Unfortunately for Dirk he will not get the public sympathy because he doesn't play on the block. (Honestly they gave the MVP to Dirk because Kobe played on an inferior team and they couldn't make a case for making Nash a three-peat winner.)
What a joke America. Dirk just led, THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE, to the best record in the league. They fell on their faces in the 1st round to a much inferior team. We should be praising Golden State and Baron Davis more than ridiculing Dirk and The Mavericks. Job well done Warriors. Shame on you Dirk and Dallas.
Dirk deserved the MVP. He, as they say in the commercials, EARNED IT. Until the day that Dirk gets a worthy point guard to merit his services, I will not blame him. Dirk is one of the best 5 players in the league, bar none. Bring Jason Kidd to Dallas, no matter what the price, and then we can argue if he doesn't get it done. Until then, give the guy some respect as one of the best players in the league. At least you don't hear him cry like some baby in Los Angeles wearing a Laker uniform.
Well, thats my pedestal. I'm off it now. Let me hear your rant, cause mine is done. I just hope that you are smarter now than when you first stopped by. My guess is: UNDOUBETEDLY!.
With the blockbuster deals that the Celtics pulled off last year, everyone and their dog is going to be looking for next year's 'Celtics' for the 2008-09 season. With the signing of Elton Brand, the 76ers have immediately made themselves a very big part of the 'looking'.
With Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, and Samuel Dalembert, the Sixers already had a strong nucleus to build around for their 2008 campaign. Now they add the talents of Mr. 20 and 10 Elton Brand. In my opinion, Elton Brand is the most undervalued Power Forward in the entire NBA. Now before you berate me on the comment, I'm well aware that he was the 1st overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. I'm also well aware that he will be making over $15 Million in salary for the 2008 NBA season. And I'm also well aware that he is coming off a season-ending injury. But..........in his 9 year career he has only been named to the All-Star team twice, and has only been named to the All-NBA 2nd team once (Nary a 1st team selection.). For a guy who is currently posting career averages of 20 ppg and 10 rpg, this seems to be a bit disrepectful of his talents to date.
Sixers to win it all in '09? Could be. When the worst team in the league can maneuver themselves into a title, then why not the Sixers in '09? Is Elton Brand as big of a signing as Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were last year? 
He was my 'first' favorite player in the NBA. During my childhood years I became to hate the Celtics and Lakers as they were the dominant teams while my hero could only go on to claim 1 title in his illustrious NBA career. 
With all the Jordan hype and mayhem that ensued in his emergence, I was simply turned off. I found myself searching for players/teams that would simply stand up to Jordan and his mighty Bulls. Unfortunately, it was hard to find a player/team that I could truly endear myself to. I hated Georgetown and Patrick Ewing, thus I could not like the Knicks and their brash team. I disliked the Pistons, because...... well, they were the Pistons. Unfortunately for the East, the days of the Pistons and Knicks of old, have brought about an 'ugly' brand of basketball that is not very fan friendly. 
VS. 
