Free Agency Update: June 22

I have been posting a weekly Tuesday article dealing with all of the latest news about NBA Free Agency. It will run until July 1. Check back frequently for all of the latest stories and scenarios!

Only ten more days until the greatest free agency class ever officially is able to talk to any team. Let's take a look at an updated list of the three main tiers of free agents and address any rumors that have been surfacing about the players.

Tier One

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki

LeBron is being wooed by just about every team that can afford a max free agent. The New York Knicks have been the front runners in this category, and they have even encouraged many celebrities who live in or around the New York City area to attempt to entice LeBron to call Madison Square Garden home next year. With all of the excitement surrounding James, there certainly are high expectations for whatever team lands him. The only problem is that LeBron will not win a team a championship just by himself. He won't even get to the Conference Finals by himself. No one can in this league. Listen up New York: be prepared for a big disappointment if you cannot land another first or second tier free agent. Chicago, Miami, and New Jersey are the three teams that have the pieces in place for LBJ to take them deep into the playoffs next season.

Dwyane Wade has made it clear that he does not want to leave Miami. Instead, he will be recruiting players to come and join him on his campaign for his second ring. The best option is easily Chris Bosh who could run an effective offense when combined with Wade. Bosh is a formidable player in the post, and he can also shoot a midrange jumper at a decent percentage. Wade can shoot as well, but he is best known as a slasher to the hoop. This combination could be lethal. However, Bosh recently stated that he would like to be the main man on a team and not a sidekick. If this is the case, Miami is not the place for him. A better fit would be the Chicago Bulls because both Derek Rose and Joakim Noah would look up to Bosh as a leader.

Tier Two

Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, David Lee, Paul Pierce, Rudy Gay

Joe Johnson, much like Bosh, would also look to be the star on a team. I don't see this happening, though. Johnson is not vocal enough on the court to lead a team down the stretch. His play leads by example, but Johnson couldn't rile up a team if he had to. He will also have to be paired with either a first or second tier free agent to be effective.

Amare Stoudemire is out in Phoenix. There's no easy way to say it. The run-and-gun type of offense is dying, and Phoenix was the last drop in the IV tube to keep it alive. With Steve Kerr out as well for the Suns, Stoudemire will most likely not return because of the fact that he will not be offered max money by Phoenix. If he is, it would come as a surprise.

It's been five days now since the Celtics' collapse in Game Seven. Paul Pierce has still not hinted as to what his plans are for this offseason since he has an early termination option in his contract. Expect him to retire as a Celtic. He has seen two extremes from this organization and will ride them out until his retirement.

Tier Three

Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Luis Scola, Brendan Haywood

Ray Allen, much like Pierce, wants to stay in Boston. The only question is does Boston want him to stay? The consensus currently is no. Allen will undoubtedly be heavily pursued by teams this offseason, especially those who do not sign a tier one or two free agent. If Pierce stays though, look for the Celtics to bring back Allen and attempt another run at a championship. The Celtics will choose to rebuild the bench instead of the starters.

Tracy McGrady's name popped up in free agent discussions for the first time this week. He is now being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers. McGrady would come off the bench and be a role player much like Lamar Odom. Ron Artest has reached out to McGrady and has stated that McGrady would be welcome on LA next year. This would be a great fit for the Lakers. Other than Kobe Bryant, the Lakers do not have a slashing offensive player who will take it to the hoop and drive the lane. Insert McGrady and teams will not only have to worry about Bryant, but McGrady will also be a threat to attack the rim when Bryant gets a breather. If the Lakers do end up signing TMac (a member of the Lakers front office told the public to expect the deal to be done by the end of July), they will repeat as champions.

Once the dust settles and players begin to sign with teams, a domino effect will take place. Almost everyone is looking as to where LeBron will sign. Then, some of the second tier players will join him, and some will join Wade. One or two might join Bosh if he is still set on "leading a team". The biggest thing to keep an eye out for is the overspending of teams who do not land a first tier free agent. No one in the second or third tiers is worth max money, but some team (ahem, New Jersey) will panic and begin throwing money at players who don't deserve it. Just sit back and observe. The only thing for certain is that the fireworks on July 4 will be nothing compared to the fireworks that will be going off around the NBA this offseason.

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NBA Rumors

The NBA Finals are over, and now we can fully devote all of our attention to the NBA Draft, upcoming free agency, and the many trades that could possibly take place sometime this summer. Here are a few of the latest rumors.

Gilbert Arenas has accepted the fact that he is no longer the main man in Washington now that the Wizards are guaranteed to pick John Wall with the first pick in Thursday's draft. However, he is not ready to give up completely on the franchise, especially after his dreadful past season that involved bringing a gun into the Wizards' locker room. Arenas has been training with a purpose this offseason. He is making it known that he has something left, and that he can still contribute to an NBA team. Look for him to be moved to shooting guard this year, which will make for a formidable back court once he and Wall are a duo. Arenas should have a fairly good year, and he is more than capable of averaging 17-20 points in a Wizard's offense that will likely run through him and Wall.

There has been speculation about both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics since the finale of the NBA Finals. The Lakers are looking to retain unrestricted free agents Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown as well as head coach Phil Jackson. I expect all three to return to Los Angeles next year. Boston is a different story, however. Doc Rivers will likely leave the organization in order to be closer to his family and spend more time with his children. Rasheed Wallace may retire. Paul Pierce has a player option to terminate his contract and pursue free agency, but he had previously stated that he wished to be a Celtic for life. Expect him to remain in Boston. Ray Allen is another question mark, and he could possibly be lured from the Celtics if a team is willing to give him a big enough contract.

The Minnesota Timberwolves could be one of the most interesting teams this offseason. Although they will probably not land any top tier free agents, there have been rumors that Rudy Gay is interested in joining the team. He is listed as a small forward but could possibly play the shooting guard position if needed. If the Wolves believe that they have a legitimate shot at landing Gay after the July 1 opening, they could look to address the shooting guard position in the draft. Otherwise, I expect them to take Wesley Johnson, the small forward from Syracuse. The Timberwolves are a confusing team, though. Think of this potential starting line-up: Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer, Wesley Johnson/Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Al Jefferson. Pretty good right? Apparently, the Wolves believe that Love and Jefferson cannot co-exist on the floor, though. I've addressed this issue in the past, but it has come up again. Some Minnesota executives have even hinted at the fact that either Love or Jefferson could be traded before the draft even though both are better than the alternative at center, Darko Milicic.

Lastly, the roster of the Dallas Mavericks could be undergoing major changes in the offseason. Erick Dampier could be on his way out, and Jason Kidd could come off the bench next year. Obviously all efforts are being made to keep Dirk Nowitzki, and Mark Cuban has even talked about trying to work out a sign and trade option for LeBron James. That could be another formidable lineup next year: Jason Kidd/Roddy Beaubois, Caron Butler, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Brendan Haywood. That team could easily contend with the reigning champion Lakers for the Western Conference crown. Concerning Dampier, I'd expect him to be moved, but that he will sign with another team.

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Lakers Repeat as Champions, Bryant Named MVP

In yet another chapter of the most historic rivalry in the NBA between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, defense and physical play dominated throughout. The Lakers ended up squeaking out the win beating the Celtics 83-79 after trailing for much of the second quarter and all of the third quarter.

However, the length of the Lakers eventually took a toll on the Celtics' post players. Pau Gasol had another huge game for Los Angeles having 19 points and 18 rebounds. On a night when Finals MVP Kobe Bryant (23 points, 15 rebounds) struggled for most of the game by shooting 6-24, Ron Artest helped Gasol by scoring 20 points, hauling in 5 rebounds, and swiping 5 steals. Artest and Gasol were easily the most effective players for the Lakers tonight. Even though the Lakers bench only scored 9 points (seven by Lamar Odom), defense was the game changer, especially down the stretch. Derek Fisher added 10 points for the 2010 Champion Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson won his 11th championship, and received a $2 million dollar bonus because of the victory. This win was Bryant's and Fisher's fifth championship each.

Boston came out hot early, but couldn't contend with the Lakers rebounding and length on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Rasheed Wallace had an exceptional game filling in for the injured Kendrick Perkins. Wallace had 11 points and 8 rebounds, but ended up fouling out in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Glen Davis also had the task of helping on defense down in the post. He grabbed 9 rebounds and had 6 points. No other Celtics bench player scored in Game Seven. However, the rest of the Celtics' starters all scored in double figures which helped the Celtics to have a chance to win the game at LA down to the final minute. Paul Pierce had 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 17, Rajon Rondo had 14, and Ray Allen had 13.

Amidst coaching rumors concerning next season, Phil Jackson stated in a postgame interview with ESPN's Stuart Scott that he would most likely decide on his future within the next week.

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NBA Finals Game Seven Preview

Game Seven of the NBA Finals. What could be better? The NBA Finals almost never last the full seven game series. In fact, the last time that seven games were needed to decide a series was in 2005 in which the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Detroit Pistons. These kinds of matchups are as rare as a Dwight Howard three point field goal. This time though, there's history involved. There are no deeply rooted rivalries between the Spurs and Pistons. This matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will be yet another chapter in the NBA's most historic rivalry. The three keys to victory for each team are listed below, as well as the one thing that is sure to cause each team to lose.

Los Angeles Lakers Keys to Victory

1. Don't allow the Celtics to run their offense in transition. Stop the fast break.

Rajon Rondo is the catalyst for the Boston Celtics. If he is having a good game, the Celtics will have a good game. In order for the Lakers to effectively shut down the Celtics, they must first shut down Rondo. Kobe Bryant has done an excellent job at defending Rondo this series for the most part, but in Game Seven he must be completely focused on the defensive end and not allow Rondo to get into any type of rhythm. The Celtics love to run in the fast break offense, especially when the bench is in. Rondo, Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, and Tony Allen are all effective in the fast break. Yes, Glen Davis. Any sort of hustle player like Davis is at home in the fast break because he will look for missed layups to rebound and then put back for the score.

2. Establish a post presence early and go to the post often.

With Kendrick Perkins unable to play in Game Seven, Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis will likely start in his place. With the height advantage that the Lakers have with Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom, they should pound the ball inside as much as they can within the first quarter. Get the Celtics in foul trouble. Force Shelden Williams to play extended minutes and reap the benefits. Gasol has to play with a purpose in Game Seven. Although he had an excellent game in Game Six (one assist away from a triple double), he has been known to play soft in the post or just not show up in big games. He is the best post player on the floor. This is the time to prove it. The Lakers are catching a huge break with the unavailability of Kendrick Perkins. They should use this to their advantage.

3. The bench play needs to be at an all time high.

This is last game of the season. There's nothing left to lose. The bench needs to come out with fury, and put together another offensive on-slaught as they did in Game Six. Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and Shannon Brown will be called on to defend Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Nate Robinson at sometime in the game. Focus on defense. These players cannot get into a rhythm while the starters rest for Los Angeles. On the offensive end of the floor, hustle will be a key. Farmar has done a phenomenal job of sacrificing his body throughout the playoffs. Lastly, Lamar Odom cannot disappear. Although his stat line was not the greatest last game, his presence was felt by the Celtics. He must keep up his defense, and look to be aggressive on the offensive end and score.

The Lakers will lose if they do not focus on defense and therefore allow Boston to hang around. The Lakers have home court advantage in Game Seven of the NBA Finals, and they need to use this to their advantage. Come out with ferocity, and step on the Celtics while their down. Don't allow them to ever think that they can compete in Staples Center. Game Six was an excellent example of this mentality. They never gave up and kept shoving the ball down the Celtics' throats all night. With Perkins out, this should come even easier to the Lakers. Just don't take Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis for granted in the starting lineup. Both players are more than capable of being sparks for huge offensive runs.

Boston Celtics Keys to Victory

1. Don't allow another player to become involved other than Kobe Bryant.

This is probably the most important thing for Boston. You know Kobe is going to have more than twenty points, and probably more than thirty but live with it. Don't allow another player like Gasol, Odom, or Ron Artest to get involved early. Artest was hitting shots early and developed confidence throughout Game Six. Gasol had a great game. Allow Kobe to take his shots. Don't become discouraged when he knocks them down because he will. Focus on alienating Bryant, and don't let any other Lakers get in a rhythm at the offensive end. If so, it could be a long night in LA for Boston.

2. Paul Pierce must step up big.

With Perkins being out, toughness and rebounding is lost for the Celtics. However, if Paul Pierce, the obvious ringleader of the Celtics, can get hot Perkins won't be missed. Look at Game Five. Bryant went off in the third quarter, but Pierce was able to match him shot for shot. Pierce is a future hall of fame member, and he knows it. He could go down as one of the greatest Celtics of all time if he could slay the LA Lakers in the Finals not once, but twice on their home court. He would be instantly a name that was Celtics legend. Make sure that Pierce gets good looks early so that he can develop a comfort level that will grow throughout the game.

3. Help inside on defense.

Once again, I will bring up the fact that the loss of Kendrick Perkins is a huge loss for the Celtics as a team. I can't stress enough the importance of Perkins to the interior defense. He alters shots, and doesn't shy away from contact. However, with Gasol and Bynum having height advantages on Garnett, Davis, and Wallace, other players like Ray Allen and Pierce must look to help out in the post area. Gasol can be easily frustrated, and this should be a main goal of the Celtics early on.

The Celtics will lose if the bench doesn't arrive to play at a high level. Through Game Five, Robinson, Davis, and Tony Allen had all played a pretty good series. Then Game Six happened. No field goals until the third quarter happened. When playing at another team's home court in front of screaming fans, the bench has to step up big. Especially in Game Seven of the NBA Finals. The bench players cannot fail to show up again like they did in Game Six. A plus for the Celtics is the activation of Brian Scalabrine, who will help to stretch the floor on the offensive end.

My Prediction

The Los Angeles Lakers will win Game Seven and be crowned the 2009-2010 NBA Champions. I'm sticking to my original prediction, but will offer a little more insight as to why I'm picking the Lakers. Most importantly, Perkins is out for the Celtics. Secondly, the best closer in the game, Kobe Bryant, will not allow a Game Seven loss to their most hated rival. Even though he downplays the rivalry, you know it's in his head. Look for the Lakers to win by more than ten in a pivotal Game Seven.

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Lakers Defeat Celtics, Force Game Seven

The Los Angeles Lakers evened the series on their home court Tuesday night, beating Boston 89-67. The NBA Finals is now at a 3-3 tie.

Kobe Bryant had another huge game for the Lakers with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 steals. Lamar Odom (8 points, 10 rebounds) and Pau Gasol (17 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists) also came up big for the defending champion Lakers. Ron Artest (15 points, 6 rebounds) also put together a good game after looking lost for much of Game Five. The major difference this game was the play of the Lakers bench (25 points). The Celtics bench, which has been terrific throughout the series behind the play of Glen Davis and Nate Robinson, did not score until the fourth quarter when Robinson converted a reverse layup.

The pivotal moment in the game occurred when Celtics center Kendrick Perkins went down with a right knee sprain just under seven minutes into the game. He did not return, and will be re-evaluated for Game Seven on Thursday. His status at this point is uncertain. However, this injury will force Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, and Shelden Williams to play big minutes to help defend the Lakers big men. Because of the fact that Los Angeles already has a large height advantage, the unavailability of Perkins would be a huge hit to Boston's defense.

Looking ahead to Game Seven, my original prediction of the Lakers in seven still remains a possiblity. It also the most likely, especially if Perkins is unable to play. However, he will probably play through the pain as it will be Game Seven of the NBA Finals. The difference? The Lakers have the best closer in the game in Kobe. After the debacle in the 2008 Finals, I don't see it happening again. The Lakers will not allow Boston to win in a Game Seven on their homecourt. The Lakers will be your 2010 NBA Champions.

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Free Agency Update: June 15

I will be posting a weekly Tuesday article dealing with all the latest news about NBA Free Agency from now until July 1. Check back frequently for all of the latest stories and scenarios!

Not much has changed this week in terms of free agency. However, some new developments have surfaced about on-going stories.

First of all, did you know that LeBron James is a wanted man next year? However, he does not know where he will call home just yet. He did endorse the hiring of Tom Izzo by the Cleveland Cavaliers, retracting a previous statement that he would prefer to play for a coach with NBA experience. Izzo is still "undecided" about the head coaching vacancy in Cleveland, but he will likely make up his mind this week. A previous story has him already telling Michigan State players that he will leave the team for Cleveland next year.

Dwyane Wade is attempting to recruit the "best player in free agency" to join him on the Miami Heat next year. Wade has expressed his desire to re-sign with the Heat, and we all know that the Heat will gladly oblige to his request. There's one free agent that has made up his mind. However, he realizes that he cannot take Miami to the Finals alone. He has had dinner with Chris Bosh and talked with Joe Johnson at a Jordan Brand event about a possible future with the Heat. Sources have not indicated whether or not he has spoken with Amare Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer. When asked about the possibility that LeBron James will join him next year Wade simply said, "He's an interesting guy. He's going to do what he wants. He doesn't even know where he's going yet." I'm still betting on the fact that Bosh will play the power forward position for Miami next year.

Amare Stoudemire has stated that he will explore other options if the Phoenix Suns do not offer to re-sign him for a maximum contract. While Stoudemire says that he is excited about the direction that the Phoenix organization has been moving in the past few years, he is also aware that he is a superstar who deserves big money. If the Suns are unwilling to sign him for a maximum contract, I still think that he would be a great fit for the New York Knicks with former head coach Mike D'Antoni. My guess is that Phoenix will re-sign him though.

Lastly, Ray Allen is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has also expressed his desire to remain a Celtic and probably retire in Boston as well. Allen is aware that he will take a pay cut from the almost $19 million that he earned this past year. However, if a team does not land any big ticket free agents, that team (most likely New Jersey) could attempt to lure Allen with one final big payday and offer him more money to sign with their club. Where will Ray Allen be playing next year? I still believe that he will remain with Boston as will Paul Pierce who has an early termination option. If the Celtics win the NBA Finals this year, the Big Four will remain intact. If not, I still think that they will give the Finals one last shot next year.

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Lakers Celtics Game Six Preview

Heading back to Los Angeles down 3-2, Kobe Bryant put it best. "It's simple. We have to win Game Six on Tuesday, and then we have to come back to work on Thursday and win Game Seven." That pretty much sums up what the LA Lakers will need to do in order to complete their run and win consecutive NBA Championships. Phil Jackson, head coach of the Lakers, didn't seem worried when the scenario of two must win games was brought up to him in a recent press conference stating, "Isn't that how a 2-3-2 series is set up? That the team with home court advantage has to win the last two games?".

That's easier said than done for the Lakers right now, though. Previously untouchable at home, the Celtics won Game Two at Staples Center to originally tie the series 1-1. These next two games are not expected wins for the Lakers by any stretch of the imagination. Boston is playing at such a high level, and the Celtics are confident that they could win either Game Six or Seven in Los Angeles to win the NBA Championship. So, what will happen in Game Six, and what adjustments will be made by each team?

For Los Angeles, the game plan is simple. Play defense. Stay between your man and the basket. The Lakers could not get stops in Game Five, which severely hurt them down the stretch. Too many easy layups were given to the Celtics. Also, someone other than Kobe Bryant has to step up and carry some of the weight. NBA analysts are contemplating the idea that even if Boston wins the series, Kobe could still win the MVP. That has to tell the rest of the Lakers something. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom need to have nights where they are legitimate threats on the offensive end while shutting down (or at least containing) the Celtic's big men on the other end of the court. Bynum is hurt, and he is experiencing excruciating pain at this point in the season. However, he will have to try to play through his knee injury and become a factor on both ends of the floor for the Lakers to experience success. Also, Kobe must guard the Celtic player who is having the best game as long as he does not give up too much size (any player at the small forward position or smaller). Lastly, if I was Phil Jackson, I would seriously consider trying to bait Celtics centers Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace into technical fouls. Go for a double technical, and eliminate at least one of them for Game Seven (preferably Perkins).

Boston has a different game plan. Don't play big like the Lakers will attempt to do. Play small. Glen Davis has had a spectacular series as has Nate Robinson. Both are smaller players for their respective positions, but they have come up huge for the Celtics in critical stretches. At least two of the Big Four must have great games. Get either Rondo, Pierce, Allen, or Garnett involved early and often and watch the offensive explosion take place. Don't force up shots, but at the same time expect improved defense from the Lakers. Their main concern on the defensive end of the floor is obviously Kobe Bryant. If they can successfully contain him, it will force another Lakers player to step up and shoulder the load. The Celtics need to approach Game Six as a must win game because I don't think that the Lakers will lose a Game Seven against their most hated rivals at home. Finally, Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace must play smart and avoid any technicals so they can be available for Game Seven if needed.

My prediction is that the Lakers will win this game, but it will be close. If Los Angeles wins this game, they will win the series in my opinion. I'm sticking to my original NBA Finals prediction and saying Lakers in seven games.

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NBA Finals Game Four Preview

The biggest rivalry in the NBA has once again reached its culmination in the NBA Finals, and there's no turning back or attempting to play down the series. Los Angles fans hate Boston. Boston fans hate Los Angeles. End of story.There's no way to sugar-coat it.

The next two wins in Boston are must wins if they have any hope of winning this series. I refuse to believe that if Boston heads back to Los Angeles trailing 3-2 that they will be able to win it all. Not a chance. The New Jersey Nets have a better shot at winning all 82 games next year. Phil Jackson would never be that out-coached and Kobe Bryant would never be that out-played on their home court. Therefore, I see the Celtics coming out of the tunnel tomorrow night with fire in their eyes. They all will have one goal: to even the series. They can't afford to fall 3-1. Otherwise, Paul Pierce might be correct in his prediction that the series won't even head back to LA.

Doc Rivers attempted to fix some officiating blunders that he felt were committed in Game Three by sending a video tape to the league office. He expressed his feelings about how Derek Fisher grabbed, jabbed, and held Ray Allen throughout the game, which could have affected his shooting. I think that overall this was a smart move by Rivers. People always ask me why do players and coaches argue a foul call or turnover after it has already been committed? The answer is so that the next call goes in your favor. Sending a video tape into the league office could be just what the Celtics need in order to put a stop to some of the more physical defense the Lakers have been executing thus far.

A bright spot for the Lakers is that Andrew Bynum will be able to play in Game Four tomorrow night. The Lakers have used their size and length to their advantage thus far, and I don't see that changing. Pau Gasol took advantage of the smaller Glen Davis, and Bynum has had his way with both Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace. Lamar Odom is a difficult defensive matchup for Glen Davis as well. Therefore, I expect the Lakers to work the ball inside often in Game Four and possibly create some early foul trouble for the Celtics' big men.

My prediction for the game is that the Celtics will win by seven points. This game will be very physical because Boston will be defending their home court, and the Lakers will be attempting to go into the weekend up 3-1. However, I think that Rivers will be able to motivate his players enough to come back from their dismal performance on Tuesday. Ray Allen will not go without a field goal again - look for Rajon Rondo to distribute the ball to both him and Paul Pierce early so that the two can establish a rhythm for the rest of the game.

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Lakers Regain Home Court Advantage with Game Three Victory

Bad news for Paul Pierce, the series will be heading back to Los Angeles after the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 91-84. Maybe Paul Pierce will learn his lesson this time, although I doubt it. Don't awake a sleeping monster. Pierce continued to be a non factor in the series with 15 points. Ray Allen did not have a field goal in the game going 0-13 from the floor. Kevin Garnett had his best game of the series finishing with 25 points and 6 rebounds.

The Lakers regained home court advantage despite excellent defense on Kobe Bryant by Tony Allen. Even though Bryant went 10-29 from the floor, he still managed to find ways to score finishing with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Despite the seven point victory, Derek Fisher was the only Laker who played at a consistently high level for the night. He made shots when they counted, capitalizing on the pick and roll with Bryant because of the fact that the Celtics did not want to switch the screen and have Rondo guard Bryant. Fisher finished with 16 points while shooting fifty percent from the field.

The Lakers survived many Boston runs, one late in the game that was made by the hustle and tenacity of Glen Davis. Davis finished with 12 points and 3 rebounds. Perkins did not pick up his seventh technical, so he will be able to play in the next game. The Lakers' size advantage was once again a factor especially on the defensive end of the court. The Lakers finsihed with seven blocks.

After this game, I still predict Los Angeles to win another game while in Boston. This will result with a 3-2 series lead heading back to home court. If this happens, I then believe that the Los Angeles Lakers will win in six games instead of my original prediction of seven. However, if Boston takes the two remaining games on their homecourt, the series will go to seven games.

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Paul Pierce is Talking....Again

"Bring Out the Brooms!"

We all remember this statement made on Pierce's twitter page by a supposed "hacker" after Boston went up 3-0 against the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. I'm fine with confidence. In fact, when I play basketball, I'm a huge trash talker. After Pierce declared the sweep, Orlando won two straight. He awoke a sleeping giant in Dwight Howard who exploded and had ridiculous performances in the next two games. Fast forward to this morning.

"We aint coming back to LA!"

Hmmm. Paul Pierce. When you were younger did you ever touch the stove while it was on? Because my guess is that you touched it again when it was on a week later just to see if anything changed. You're not a quick learner. I mean come on this just happened. You thought Dwight Howard was dangerous? Try Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom. Notice who's at the front of the list. Kobe Bryant...heard of him? You just walked past the stove and went to swim in the furnace didn't you? Little hot in there? Yeah I thought so.

At least you've had a big impact on the Finals so far! Oh wait. Ron Artest has shut you down. You've been quieter than the city of Cleveland when Jordan sunk the shot over Ehlo. I would remain just that...quiet. You see, you're little Jack climbing the beanstalk to get to the championship trophy at the top. Only problem is you were running your mouth on the way up. Whoops. Guess you better climb quickly to escape the LA giant that is now racing after you. Bad news for the Celtics...Rondo's the only one quick enough to out run him. I'm calling a doctor now so that there will be a wheelchair on hand just in case you need it.

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Celtics Even Series Behind Rondo's Triple Double

The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their first game at Staples Center during this year's playoffs losing to the Boston Celtics by a score of 103-94. The Celtics closed the game with a 16-4 run. Boston gave everything that they had on Sunday night, and it showed in their impressive victory on the Lakers' home court. Rajon Rondo lead the charge with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Ray Allen set an NBA record with eight three-pointers in the game and he finished with 32 points. One of the biggest factors this game was Kobe Bryant's foul trouble. He finished with five fouls but also had 21 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.

What can we expect as the series heads to Boston? Well, the Boston Celtics have actually been a better road team than home team, but now that Boston has confidence going back home, they will be a very dangerous animal for the Lakers. Although Ray Allen had a spectacular game tonight, I don't see it happening again in this postseason. However, I think the main concern of the Celtics will be to shut down the Lakers big men. Bynum (21 points, 6 rebounds, 7 blocks) and Gasol (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks) will be the focal point for the Celtics' defense. Boston returned to the quality of defense that they displayed earlier in the playoffs. Tony Allen did an excellent job on Kobe throughout the game.

What's my prediction?

The Celtics will use this momentum and capitalize on it. Boston will take two from LA at home, returning to Los Angeles with a 3-2 lead. However, I don't see Kobe Bryant letting this opportunity slip away from him, especially on his home court. If it weren't for his constant foul trouble and the impressive run that Boston put together at the end of the game, I think this game would have had a different result as well. But in the playoffs with teams of this caliber, any team can win on any night. I'm still predicting Lakers in seven games.

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A New Coach in Chicago, GM in Cleveland, and Point Guard in Minnesota?

Below is a list of six short stories from around the NBA:

1. Del Negro Out, Thibodeau In

A much anticipated move by the Chicago Bulls was reported today in the fact that there will be a new head coach next year. Tom Thibodeau, the assistant coach to the Boston Celtics, has reportedly accepted the job although an official announcement will have to wait until after the NBA Finals. Thibodeau was also interviewed by the New Orleans Hornets, but opted for Chicago instead. He is largely recognized for the defensive intensity that the Celtics bring to the court. What else does this move mean for Chicago? No John Calipari and LeBron James package deal will occur in the Windy City.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers Done With General Manager Ferry

Another move that happened Friday that didn't surprise anyone around the league was the Danny Ferry will no longer be the general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers next year. His replacement will have no say in basketball operations. It's all about LeBron at this point, and owner Dan Gilbert will give him everything he asks for if he intends to stay. (More on LeBron later in this article.)

3. Marquis Daniels Should Play In Game Two

Marquis Daniels, reserve shooting guard for the Boston Celtics, will likely play in tomorrow night's game against the Los Angles Lakers. Daniels hasn't played since suffering a concussion in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals. The impact that he will have on the Celtics' game plan is simple. Not much to contribute to the offensive game plan, but Daniels will allow Boston to have one more reserve defender to take on Kobe Bryant for Game Two should Ray Allen get in foul trouble again.

4. Garnett Has "Lost A Step"

This is a classic case of the media blowing another quote out of proportion after taking it out of context. Pau Gasol praised Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett, but also noted that he has "lost a step" since the 2008 NBA Finals. Of course he has. All players lose quickness and agility with age and Garnett is no different. Gasol wasn't maliciously attacking Garnett. He simply said that Garnett is now more of a jump shooter rather than the post up player he once was. Garnett is obviously still a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. No harm meant by Gasol.

5. Shaquille O'Neal Takes on Spelling Bee Champion

Last night at the national spelling bee, Shaq challenged last year's champion to a spell off in the near future. He will be allowed two misspelled words, and will likely need both life lines. I'm just curious if this will come before or after his UFC Match?

6. Ricky Rubio Could Play in 2011-2012

Ricky Rubio, the Spanish point guard, was recently quoted as saying that he could arrive in the NBA for the 2011-2012 season. However, he did not limit his options to just playing in Minnesota. Rubio said that he would come over to the United States, but the Timberwolves (who drafted him number four overall last year) would have to improve from their 15 win season this past year or he would consider going with another team. If I worked for the front office of the T Wolves, I would try to sign a free agent or two this offseason so that the guy can showcase his stuff on my homecourt. Rubio will be an excellent passer and point guard in the NBA, but he also must improve his outside shooter to be a legitimate offensive threat.

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Lakers Take Finals Lead 1-0

While I was watching Game One of the NBA Finals, I received a text message from one of my friends who can't stand Kobe. That could be an understatement; he absolutely despises, loathes, and finds fault with every trip down the court that Kobe is a part of during a game. It read, "LeBron has one more year to prove his dominance...if not then it's Kobe". I couldn't help but chuckle to myself and responded with "To hell with next year, turn your TV on. If it's on, watch closer." LeBron has had seven years to prove his self-proclaimed "King" status. He's failed. Kobe is in the final games of the best playoff performance of his already prolific career. Analysts are saying he could be considered the greatest Laker ever if he wins this title. Nothing changed Thursday night in Game One with the Lakers beating the Celtics 102-89.

Bryant continued his domination finishing with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Lakers big men used their length to their advantage once again. Pau Gasol had 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and Andrew Bynum finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Gasol and Bynum also stepped up to Phil Jackson's comments earlier this week proclaiming that the Lakers' big men must play more physically. Toughness was questioned, and the Lakers wouldn't stand for it. Defensive specialist Ron Artest (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) did an excellent job with his primary job of the series: limit Paul Pierce's (24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) effectiveness. After nine points in the first quarter, Pierce was held to just two more in the second and third quarters combined.

The Celtics remained close throughout the game, but they were "outworked" according to head coach Doc Rivers. Watching ABC's broadcast of the game, Rivers was often "wired" and said that the Celtics were never playing completely together as a team, and he was right. The Celtics did not bring the same intensity that they had throughout the playoffs, and the team never really looked like they trusted each other tonight. Ray Allen (12 points) was in foul trouble with five personals by the end of the third quarter. Rajon Rondo finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists and was easily the most effective Celtic tonight. The Celtic bench that has been so clutch throughout the playoffs? Well, they played like a typical bench and were almost non-existant. The most inspiring Celtic stat tonight? Center Kendrick Perkins remained with six technical fouls (one away from an automatic suspension after the seventh). Rasheed Wallace did pick up his fifth "T" tonight, however.

Looking forward to Game Two, what can we expect? With another game at LA, my prediction is another Lakers win and a commanding 2-0 lead. The Lakers are too good at Staples Center and will not drop a game at home this postseason.

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Magical Playoff Run Comes to an End

The Orland Magic's improbable comeback from an 0-3 hole was cut short Friday night thanks to the Boston Celtics. This was a mistake filled game for the Magic which was reflected with the final score of 96-84. The injured Celtics took care of business on their home court, and they have advanced to the NBA Finals to represent the Eastern Conference. The Celtics remained in control for most of the game. Paul Pierce had a huge game for the Celtics with a stat line of 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. Nate Robinson had a big game off the bench for the Celtics with 13 points.

The Boston Celtics, although playing with many team members injured, used the passion of their home crowd to their advantage. A big boost for Boston was that reserve forward Glen Davis was able to play despite suffering a concussion in Game Five. Boston is a team of veterans, and they know when to step their game up. Now, they will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Phoenix Suns starting June 1. However, the favorite to represent the Western Conference is the Lakers. This will come as a joy to Celtics fans who could be heard chanting "Beat LA!" in the closing minutes of the game.

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Perkins Will Play in Game Six

Kendrick Perkins' second technical foul last night in Game Five against the Orlando Magic was rescinded today, and he will be allowed to play tomorrow night in a pivotal Game Six. The decision was announced today and was much anticipated to take place because of the circumstances. Perkins was whistled for a questionable foul call, and he responded by expressing his emotions while walking away from the referee. He did not appear to use any questionable language. This announcement by the NBA comes as a huge relief to the Boston Celtics due to the fact that reserve forward will probably be unavailable for tomorrow's game due to a concussion caused by an inadvertent elbow by Dwight Howard. With Perkins in the starting lineup tomorrow night, I expect the Celtics to win the decisive Game Six on their home court. The Celtics are a team of veterans and will close out the series because they understand the pressure. If they fail to do so, the Orlando Magic will definitely make history as the first team to come back from an 0-3 hole. It's now or never for Boston, and if they can't close out the series in front of their fans they certainly won't be able to in Orlando.

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Magic Rout Injured Celtics

A decisive Game Five victory by the Orlando Magic is sending the series back to Boston. I believe I owe the Magic an apology so here it goes. I'm sorry to the Orlando Magic and the team's fans. I doubted your heart, tenacity, and will to win this series after falling behind 0-3 in such poor fashion. However, in the last two games, this team looks like a whole different ball club. Dwight Howard has re-established himself as a legitimate inside threat scoring 21 points, pulling down 10 rebounds, and rejecting 5 shots. Jameer Nelson also came up big leading the Magic with 24 points while managing to distribute 5 assists. The Orlando Magic also shot 13-25 from behind the arc and finally broke out of their series long shooting slump. Game Six will be played on Friday in Boston.

Although the Celtics will be playing in front of their home fans, they could possibly be playing without starting center Kendrick Perkins (possible suspension), reserve power forward Glen Davis (concussion), and reserve shooting guard Marquis Daniels (concussion). Although Daniels has fallen out of favor with Boston head coach Doc Rivers, Perkins and Davis leave two big holes to fill if they miss the next game. Perkins has done an excellent job defending Dwight Howard thus far in the series, and Davis normally helps him out down low. If both must sit out for Game Six, Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett, and Shelden Williams will probably be summoned to shut down Superman. I'm not sure how effective they will be as Howard has a significant height advantage on all three players. The Magic have creeped one step closer to being the only team in NBA history to come back from a three game deficit and win a series. The pressure is at an all time high for Boston. Either protect your home court or return to Orlando for a potentially historical Game Seven.

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No Brooms for Boston

The Orlando Magic have won Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals in overtime 96-92. Jameer Nelson hit back to back three point jumpers in overtime which was a huge momentum swing for the Magic, and Dwight Howard had a superman-sized game with 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Paul Pierce had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, but his effort was not enough to close out Orlando in four games. The Magic won when they needed to and in Boston no less! Many people had questioned the Magic's desire, Howard's leadership, and the overall approach to this series after they fell behind 3-0 and opening the series with two losses on their home court. I will be the first to admit that I was one of these people. I still do not believe that Howard is a legitimate offensive threat night in and night out. He caters to what defenses want him to do. Howard has an excellent hook if he can go over his left shoulder, but Celtics center Kendrick Perkins has defended him extremely well and all but silenced Howard through three games. His Game Four performance was impressive, and I'm looking for Orlando to ride this momentum as they return home. I believe that the Celtics will eventually represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, but look for the Magic to win Game Five at home. No NBA team has ever come back to win a series after starting down 3-0, but like Kevin Garnett once said, "Anything is possible!"

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