Who's Got Next?

With the Warriors and Cleveland meeting for a third straight June, when will we finally see two new teams on pro basketball's biggest stage?

If you want to find the last NBA Finals that didn't involve LeBron James?  2010.  If you want to know the last time Cleveland and Golden State did not meet for the ultimate prize, it was 2014 (LeBron played and lost against San Antonio).  For the past three seasons, the champion from both conferences has been rather predictable.  Cleveland has rolled to its third straight finals this year with virtually no competition, and Golden State has proven to be the top team in the land, going 67-15 and winning its first 13 games of this year's playoffs.  Am I tired of seeing Golden State/Cleveland?  No.  I am actually excited to see KD/LeBron II and Cavaliers/Warriors III, but please let this be the last time.

While I am all for great competition, already knowing what is going to happen while you're sitting around in January watching a game takes the excitement out of the rest of the year.  Okay, the Spurs may have stood a shot against Golden State with  healthy Kawhi, but are we really sure?  Even if the Spurs win that game in a blowout how do we know Golden State doesn't take offense to it and rattle off four blowouts in a row.  Golden State has been favored by record margins in Las Vegas all postseason, and it's easy to see why.  Cleveland hasn't been too shabby either, losing a single game en route to a 12-1 record in the 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs.

So what does this do to the other teams?  You can make the argument that only two teams are on Tier 1 (possibly three with the Spurs), so what's to get excited about with a Boston/Washington game seven?  There wasn't a single team in the East with a prayer of beating Cleveland, not even Boston.  The Celtics won one game because LeBron let his foot off of the gas.  The internet lost its collective minds, the Cavaliers won two more lopsided games, and here we are.  The top teams in each conference are head and shoulders above the rest.  Some argue this needs to be stopped, but will it?

Even next season, what team will emerge as 2017-18's Boston?  A team that gets the #1 seed in the East, and looks really impressive, then sees LeBron in May and gets run off of the court.  Many have tried, many have failed.  LeBron James has only been the #1 seed in the East twice from 2011-2017, and every single year it has appeared to make no difference.  And speaking of the imbalance in the West, who is actually talented or well rounded enough to beat the Warriors in a seven game series within the next three years?  Lowry?  Will Kyle Lowry really be the differenc maker in getting San Antonio over that hill?  I'm sorry, but as long as the death lineup of Curry, Thompson, Green, and Durant is around, nobody will beat the Warriors in a best-of-seven.  Let's say for a second hypothetically that Lowry joins the Spurs.  Now you have a talented Point Guard to go along with an aging Gasol and Lamarcus Aldridge inside?  Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi, an aging Gasol, and Aldridge?  With a 97 year old Tony Parker coming off of the bench and Ginobli riding to the bus on the senior center shuttle?  No thank you.  Golden State is too good, and regardless of where Kawhi's powers make take San Antonio as indicated by regular season/early playoff success the next few seasons, they still won't be good enough to take down Dub Nation.

And who in the East is supposed to be LeBron's competition?  Oh yeah I forgot, Gordon Hayward is expected to come to Boston and be the missing piece.  While the possibility of Thomas, Hayward, Bradley, and Horford playing on the same floor excites me, they're still a whole level below the team in Ohio.Mark my words:  LeBron will win the Eastern Conference for at least the next three years (2018-20).

So, if you like Golden State/Cleveland, then get excited, there's more of it to come.  If not, then strap in or go watch baseball because that's the way it should be for a while.  Simply put, nobody will be good enough OR experienced enough to beat either of the teams mentioned in a seven game series.  While teams like Boston show promise, San Antonio has shown us never to give up on them, and Houston puts up boat loads of points while being extremely dangerous, they're all on tier 2.  Tier 1 is reserved for LeBron's team and the Curry/Durant mega team in the bay.

But, enjoy it.  It's going to end eventually.  The 80s had Bird/Magic, the 90s had Jordan's dominance, the 2000s had the Lakers' Dynasty and Spurs' steady success, and the 2010s have LeBron, Steph and Durant... that in not so many words will describe this decade of basketball years down the line.  Golden State won game one, but there is a lot of basketball to be played. 

This is It

The NBA can go one of two ways after this year's finals.  Which way will it go?  That's going to be determined by who wins the 2016 championship.

In 2010, the Lakers and Celtics squared off for the ultimate prize.  In a rematch of the 2008 series in which Boston came out on top, the series went back and forth.  Trailing 3-2 and at home, the Lakers blew out Boston to force a seventh game.  We all know what happened from there.  Ron Artest passed Kobe the ball, Sasha hit two free throws, and the Lakers defeated the Celtics to win their 16th NBA Title.  While many people remember this series for the history and tradition of Boston/Los Angeles basketball, which began in the Bill Russell era, I remember it for a different reason:  this was the last NBA Finals to not feature LeBron. 

The Cavs were knocked out of the playoffs in 2010, as the top seed, by the Boston Celtics, a team whom the Cavaliers were expected to defeat.  In 2011, as a member of the Miami Heat, James and company lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the finals.  The next year, the king won his first ring as Miami defeated Oklahoma City in five games.  They followed it up with a 2013 championship over San Antonio, a miraculous title if I do say so myself.  Had it not been for Ray Allen pulling a three out of nowhere, or Kawhi Leonard missing a big foul shot, the King may only have one ring right now. 

They faced the Spurs again in 2014, but this time it was San Antonio who had the last laugh, winning the title in five games.  Last year, LeBron had many excuses for losing in the finals to Golden State.  Love was hurt.  Kyrie was hurt.  He literally had to carry a team that he had never played with before on his back, with a rookie head coach who I was not all that fond of.  This year, however, is different.  I believe the outcome of the 2016 finals will shape the NBA for the years to come. 

Theory #1:  If Cleveland wins, LeBron will stay in Cleveland and again be widely regarded as the best NBA player.

Right now, Steph Curry is undoubtedly the face of the National Basketball Association.  Like it or not, it's the Golden State Guard's world and we are all just living in it.  My Facebook news feed is constantly filled with pictures of his daughter, his loudmouth wife, or just something to do with Steph Curry.  In breaking my professionalism, it can be irritating.  That being said, he is arguably the best player in the league, and is truly revolutionizing the game with his sharp shooting.  Seriously, this guy can pull from anywhere.  In an era that may be less physical than any in NBA history, the Warriors (more specifically #30) are adapting perfectly, becoming the first pure jump shooting team to win the title last year, along with their defense of course.  This season, they have been unstoppable.  73-9?!?  Curry has broken countless records this year, some of which he held himself.  Yes, the Warriors have dominated the NBA this season like no team (including the '95-'96 Bulls) ever have.

Meanwhile, on the east coast, the Cavs struggled at times throughout the season, but still managed to finish with 57 wins and the top seed in the east.  While Golden State took care of Houston in five, the Cavaliers swept a scrappy Pistons team.  While the Warriors took care of business against a Blazers team that shouldn't have been in the playoffs if not for the play of their back court (more specifically Lillard), Cleveland was sweeping the Atlanta Hawks, dominating them in every facet of the game.  And, as the Warriors barely squeezed out the series win against Oklahoma City after trailing 3-1, Cleveland was in Toronto celebrating LeBron's sixth straight year of winning the Eastern Conference title.  While the series with Toronto went six games (Toronto won games 3 & 4), the outcome was never in doubt. 

James' goal since he entered the NBA in 2003 has been to bring the city of Cleveland a championship.  The struggles of pro sports in Cleveland has been well documented.  The city last won a championship in 1964, as the Browns defeated the Baltimore Colts 27-0 in the NFL Title Game.  Since then, heartbreak has become second nature if you're a sports fan in the 216.  The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The Decision... these are all perfect examples of why the city of Cleveland is known for its futility in winning championships.  LeBron had a chance in 2007, but the Spurs were just the better team, and LeBron had nobody to help him.  The Cleveland Indians were one inning away in 1997 when they had the title snatched away from them by Florida Marlins.  And, last year the Cavaliers fell to the Warriors, losing three straight after leading the Warriors 2-1 entering game four at the Q.  This is LeBron's ultimate mission.  He grew up in Akron, which is a 40 mile drive from Cleveland... making him the hometown kid.  I've never heard of an NBA team in Akron.  As far as I'm concerned, LeBron is from Cleveland.  If the Eastern Conference Champions can remarkably comeback, LeBron, as if he didn't already, will have the key to the city, and much more.  The city is so thirsty for a title that I wouldn't be surprised if he was nominated for mayor, and received the larger half of the votes.  If you would've mentioned Cleveland in 1999, what would most people have thought of?  Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony?  LeBron is the most famous Clevelander, and it's not even close.  He has given the city a sense of pride, a sense of hope.  Now, whenever someone says Cleveland, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a picture of LeBron flashing through my mind. 

If Cleveland wins, LeBron will be a cavalier for life, and they will most likely win another one in 2017.


Theory #2:  Golden State will become a dynasty with the 2016 title, and LeBron will jump ship. 


Before any Jordan-boys criticize me, please take the time to read the entire article.  Jordan had two three-peats.  What signs are pointing to the Warriors slowing down?  Making it out of the West may be more difficult than any NBA Finals they may encounter.  Their is no true second best team in the NBA.  Here is how I would rank the top NBA teams:

1)  Golden State Warriors 
2A)  Cleveland Cavaliers
2B)  Oklahoma City Thunder
2C)  San Antonio Spurs

With the current power balance in the NBA, I am not completely against the idea of a Top 16 Overall NBA Playoffs, as opposed to the Top 8 from each conference.  While that will almost certainly never happen, that would be the most accurate way of determining the second best NBA team.  For example, close your eyes for a second and imagine Oklahoma City playing Cleveland in the Finals this year.  How would they do?  My prediction is that they would be having the same amount of success as Golden State, and they would probably lead the series at this point.  Think about San Antonio, who hasn't played since May 12th.  Do you recall how good they were?  67-15, one regular season home loss, which was to the best regular season team ever.  They would most likely be leading Cleveland right now too, with all of the issues that the Cavs have.  If teams were seeded by overall record (Top 16), this is most likely how the final eight would look:


#1 Golden State 4 vs #8 Atlanta 0
#2 San Antonio 4 vs #7 Miami 1
#3 Cleveland 4 vs #6 Los Angeles Clippers 3
#4 Toronto 1 vs  #5 Oklahoma City 4


#1 Golden State def. #5 Oklahoma City 4-3 to advance to NBA Finals.
#2 San Antonio def. #3 Cleveland 4-2 to advance to NBA Finals.


#1 Golden State def. #2 San Antonio 4-3 to win 2nd straight NBA Title


Ahh, if only one could wish. Instead, LeBron is pretty much handed a conference title every year.  Obviously he can't control the conference he plays in, but I don't think he would be making it every single year if he played in the Western Conference.  He would make it out of the West more than once, but to dominate it every single year like he does the east?  I don't see that happening one bit. 

As if Curry wasn't already the NBA's poster child, the internet may be going fan crazy for Curry like we've never seen before if Golden State can win one of the next two.  To be the only Unanimous MVP in NBA History is remarkable enough, but to top it off with  Finals MVP and the best player on arguably the best team ever?  His marketability will continue to rise.  I don't see LeBron staying in Cleveland if they leave the 2016 season ringless.  I'm sure he'll have his agent arrange something so that he can go play with his friends.  He could care less how he wins his titles, or who he wins them with (regardless if it was with other stars).  He would rather create a super team and win one than to be on his own and not win one at all... but that's an argument for another article. 

Don't Overlook Them

Enjoying their longest winning streak since the 1991-92 season, don't expect "Lob City"

to show signs of slowing down anytime soon.  

Led by Danny Manning, the 1991-92 Clippers finished with a better record than their Los Angeles counterparts for the first time in franchise history.  Is this relevant to the eight game winning streak that the team is currently in the midst of?  Not necessarily, but it is an interesting piece of history, a history that Clipper fanatics and followers of the ball club would like to forget.  If you take a step back and think about it, about two decades have gone by since the team has experienced consecutive victories of this quantity.  That is a decent amount of time.

Could Danny Manning, more known for leading Kansas to a national championship in 1988, be the leader of an NBA Championship team?  Stranger things have happened in sports---wait, I can't think of anything stranger than that would have been had it occurred.  Could Chris Paul (a floor general and according to John Hollinger the most efficient Point Guard in the NBA), Blake Griffin (averaging 18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds on the season, yet has the potential to explode in any given game and is hands down one of the best Power Forwards in the NBA) lead Los Angeles to a title?  It's much more likely and highly possible.

Caron Butler may very well be the best all-around player on the Clippers not named Chris Paul, Matt Barnes is finally having his shots fall, Jamal Crawford is the front runner for sixth man of the year, in my opinion, Bledsoe continues to show flashes of potential, and DeAndre Jordan has developed a more effective post game, while continuing to reign as a defensive stopper.  If you have watched any Clipper games during the eight game hot streak, their chemistry is evident.  Everyone seems to know where the open man is at, they're communicating defensively, and never panic when things are turning in favor of the opposition.  If there is any vulnerability about this team that I've noticed, it's their inability to get back in transition defensively at times.  Several times during last night's contest with the Bobcats Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Kemba Walker would easily get to the rim.  

To sum everything up, the Clippers on their best day can compete with any team in the NBA.  And with the Lakers struggling to even win a single game right now, the Spurs and Thunder look to be the only teams imposing any kind of threat to L.A. out west.  This team is gelling and seems to be headed in the right direction.  And when you have talent like the Clippers do, a bench that looks to be headed in the right direction in terms of producing more consistently, and a leader like Chris Paul, the only thing that will stand in their way (if things go as planned) may just be themselves... or the "Big Bad Miami Heat."  But if it matters any, the Clippers defeated Miami by seven during their first of two meetings this year.  

Oh Canada!

Are the Lakers the new elite team out West with the addition

of Two Time Most Valuable Player Steve Nash?

Just over 5 years ago, I'll be honest, I wasn't exactly Steve Nash's biggest fan.  Nash capturing the MVP in the 2005-06 season put me in anger, to say the least.  Sure Nash had a great seaon, leading a high octane Suns team to the second overall seed in the Western Conference playoffs... but did anyone forget about Kobe Bryant's 35.4 ppg campaign?  He scored 81 points against Toronto and didn't get the nod for MVP?  He took the likes of Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Luke Walton, and Kwame Brown all to the playoffs... that deserves an award of its own.  To a 12 year old kid who bled Purple & Yellow, let's just say that I wasn't too fond of Nash... until I learned to appreciate how unique of a player he was.

An elite point guard who passes first, shoots second.  A distinction that is thrown around much too often in today's NBA.  Right now two names come to mind when I think of that label:  Rajon Rondo, Steve Nash.  These two, and it should come as no surprise, were the top two assist men in the league this past season.  While Rondo is a younger, quicker player with an incredible 6'9" wingspan, Nash, even at age 38 can still effect the game just about as much as any NBA Point Guard.  Despite his age, Nash's coordination, court awareness, and ability to execute in Pick & Roll situations make him not only an asset on any NBA roster, but a superstar on any team.  Nash being a member of the Los Angeles Lakers will be no exception.  There are a few questions that will be floating around throughout the next few weeks:

1). How will Nash & Kobe coalesce?

A:  It shouldn't be a problem.  "Stevie Boy" brings a positive attitude to any locker room.  Also, him being a pass first Point Guard will help... no need to worry about egos clashing here.

            2). At this stage of his career, what kind of style benefits Nash more:  a half-court, slow down game or an up tempo, 1990 Loyola Marymount type of style?

  A:  Both.  Even with his age progressing, #13 can control the tempo.  Although he can't get up and down as easily as he used to, his Basketball I.Q. will give the Lakers baskets at times when Nash's age starts to show.  In the half court, his Pick & Roll opportunities are unlimited.  Bynum, Gasol, and even Bryant will start to see the baskets come much easier.  If Nash gets into the middle of a defense... the two points (or even three) are pretty much guaranteed.  

3) What would some of the red flags be by having Steve Nash as your new point guard?  

A:  Injuries.  Any 38 year old man would laugh in your face if you ever told them to play 82 games (and most likely more with the Lakers).  Although Steve Nash is obviously in great shape, he may take a bit longer to recover from even the smallest of injuries.

Red Hot Clippers Look to Continue Success Tonight Against Hawks

Down by 1 1/2 games in the Pacific Division with two remaining, the Clippers are primed

to take first place away from their crosstown rivals.  They'll need some help from Sacramento, though.

During the month of April, Randy Foye has averaged 15.4 ppg, including 24 in Sunday night's win over New Orleans.  The former Villanova standout went 6-12 from beyond the arc, and hit three triples in a row during the fourth quarter.  His ability to step up & make big shots as we've seen recently will prove crucial in whether or not "Lob City" makes a deep playoff run.

If there was ever a right time to peak during a shortened NBA season, this may be it.  After going through locker room turmoil in the middle of March, the Clippers have stepped it up.  They've put together win streaks of six games & five games, including beating Oklahoma City in three of their four meetings this season.

In tonight's game, the Clippers will need to dictate the tempo, knock down open shots when they're available, and get soild production from their bench. 

Atlanta will need to play a half-court offense, attack the rim, and get a big game from Joe Johnson.

NCAA Tournament Wrap-Up: Day 5

March Madness just got a little bit crazier as Michigan State

becomes the first #1 seed to be ousted in this year's tournament.

Thursday's Scores

#1 Syracuse def. #4 Wisconsin 64-63

#4 Louisville def. #1 Michigan State 57-44

#2 Ohio State def. #6 Cincinnati 81-66

#7 Florida def. #3 Marquette 68-58

There's always going to be those games where the other team just won't miss.  After Wisconsin's Josh Gasser tied the game at 53 with 8:39 to go, Syracuse fans began to sweat.  However, C.J. Fair's 15 points & 7 rebounds proved to be the difference maker in this Sweet 16 match up.  This game also marked the end of the road for Badger Point Guard Jordan Taylor.  The Bloomington, Minnesota star averaged 11.1 ppg over his career & 3.4 assists.  This season he almost single handedly led Wisconsin to a 4 seed in the Big Dance.

I've made the mistake way too many times of picking against a Rick Pitino led team.  Needless to say that I got burned again on Thursday evening.  The seemingly inferior Cardinals controlled much of the game, and Michigan State never recovered.  Spartan hero Draymond Green continued his dominance, though.  His 13 points & 16 rebounds were the only bright spot for MSU in this game.  Their 5-21 three point shooting was also a heavy burden to carry all game long.





NCAA Tournament Wrap-Up: Day 4

Great teams find ways to win.  Kansas did

exactly that on Sunday night.

Sunday's Scores (3rd Round)

#11 North Carolina State def. #3 Georgetown 66-63

#1 Michigan State def. #9 Saint Louis 65-61

#1 North Carolina def. #8 Creighton 87-73

#7 Florida def. #15 Norfolk State 84-50

#13 Ohio def. #12 South Florida 62-56

#10 Xavier def. #15 Lehigh 70-58

#2 Kansas def. #10 Purdue 63-60

#6 Cincinnati def. #3 Florida State 62-56

The Sweet 16's final eight tickets were punched on Sunday.  Cinderella runs were ended, top seeds escaped, and the elite separated themselves. 

After their upset victory over Mizzou on Friday, Norfolk State was completely overmatched by a talented Florida team.  Dominating from the beginning, the Gators finished off the Spartans by 34.  The other 15 seed fell as well on Sunday.  Lehigh was simply no match for Xavier down the stretch.  Kenny Frease, mostly famous for being a victim in the Cincy/Xavier brawl, put together an impressive 25 point, 12 rebound performance.  Tu Holloway also added 21 points for the Musketeers.

Doesn't it seem like every year there's an 11 seed clinching a spot in the Sweet 16?  A team that nobody bothered to glance twice at makes an appearance in college basketball's second weekend?  That 11 seed this year will be N.C. State.  After an upset win over Georgetown, the Wolfpack are peaking, and will face second seeded Kansas in St. Louis. 

Robbie Hummel's career had to end one day.  That day was Sunday for the 5th year senior.  After two torn ACLs, Hummel led his team to this year's NCAA Tourney, and even helped deliver them to an "upset" victory over 7th seeded St. Mary's.  Unfortunately for him, his 26 points & 9 assists weren't enough on Sunday night.  Elijah Johnson's go ahead layup delivered Kansas to victory, and helped them escape a scrappy Purdue team in round three.

The team that everyone thought would crumble after the brawl only got closer together.  The Bearcats of Cincinnati are now headed to the Sweet 16 after defeating Florida State in the round of 32.