DALLAS MAVERICKS: Your 2011 Western Conference Champs

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Chris Bosh seems to be enjoying the playoffs experience

As the HEAT takes a commanding lead over the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, Chris Bosh has been the star of the series, scoring 30, 10, 34, and 22. He seems to be relishing his experience late in the playoffs.

At the beginning, he has been an easy target for all the criticism the HEAT has over the season. I think, he has learned from LeBron how to take those thrown at him and make it as a motivation in the game. I am even guilty too, but hey, give the guy a break, not easy being side by side the two top-three players in the NBA. He'll take it though. Now he and the rest of the Heat is one game away for a rematch with the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA Finals.  Game 5 tomorrow in Chicago, as the Bulls are going to be desperate, and its going to be a grind. Hold on to your seats.

Women's Tennis Anyone?

That One Dunk in Ten Angles

Relive that monster slam by Kevin Durant on Brendan Haywood during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals 2011

I

Its so NASSSTTTYYY, I feel sorry for Haywood...

Rejoice, Cleveland! (For Now)

So the Cleveland Cavaliers won the Draft Lottery earning them the number one overall pick this season. They also get the fourth pick. How I see it, NBA just gave the Cavs a consolation with their recent loss of their star and former number one pick, LeBron James. Should they start celebrating now? I guess they have the right to. But with this years draft projected as weak compared to previous seasons, I guess it would not matter anyhow. Still, I see them improve the next season.  Kyrie Irving, the point guard from Duke, is the projected number one pick. I don't see him though as a future All-Star, CP3-like, but he reminded me of the old 90s guards the likes of Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway, even John Stockton. The Cavs should really make their minds work though with their 4th pick. Their are every possible options on what to do with that pick. For now, Cleveland rejoice! It's going to be short lived still.....

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Taj Gibson on D-Wade, Uhmp!

THREE GOGGLE PHENOM by the Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers have been one of my favorite teams. Their young, full of energy, and fun. Rudy Fernandez started all this hoopla, and the rest of the team caught up.

The guy who started it all, Rudy...

The Patty Mills caught up...

Wes Matthews joined in the craze...

Gone viral throughout the team, Nic Batum..

Even ol' Marcus Camby...

crazy people Rip City has...

The fans catching up...

get the T-shirt too....

How to do it? Just follow these simple steps...

Washington Wizards Throws it Back

Like the Golden State Warriors did this season, the Washington Bullets Wizards unveiled their new jersey for next season and their bringing back thew old days with their Throwback Bullets-inspired uniforms. I liked it! I mean I's a sucker for retro jerseys! 

The return of the original red, white, blue to the Capital will bring the people of DC something to feel like the team belonged to DC. Forget about the teal-schemed, odd font, and a wizard with a weird beard. 

Now, if they could at least start playing good and make Elvin Hayes proud, then I'll give Ted Leonis a pat on the back for a job well done.

Also, I liked the logo up there, the DC with a basketball and the Monument! Damn that is Epic.

Your 2011 NBA All-Defensive Teams

The NBA announced earlier today the All-Defensive first and second teams. Leading the pack is defensive player of the year himself Dwight Howard. Joining Howard are Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, who both tied MJ and Gary Payton for the most All-Defensive First Team for their ninth time. Rajon Rondo and LeBron James round up the First Team.

The second team consisted of  Joakin Noah of Chicago, Tyson Chandler of Dallas, Chris Paul of New Orleans, Andre Iguodala of Philly, and Tony Allen of Memphis.

I think Kobe shouldn't be in the first team. Dwyane Wade is a much defender than him at this point overall and I would swap Chris Paul to Rondo's spot.

In the second team. I don't think Noah deserves in there. Serge Ibaka would have been a much deserving player, remember he leads the league in block shots at 4 plus blocked shots a game.  Though I admire Tony Allen's defense I don't think it qualifies him of a spot in the second team.

Petron Blaze Boosters Jersey Design

I bumped around a Facebook account of the Petron Blaze Boosters (formerly San Miguel Beermen), and I got to see their new jersey design. I say its a little simple on a PBA standard of crappy jerseys, but I kinda feeling it. I think PBA teams must retool their designs especially not putting all the whole logo in front and just simplify the whole thing and not put other crappy flames, streaks, or what-nots. They wanted to sell jersey, they have to fix their uniforms because they are freaking ugly.

Anyway, back to the Boosters' jersey, even though they still have the whole logo up front, it's much simpler than their old Beermen red. One particular design I like was the Alaska retro jersey. Now that is what I call a good design. Just simple text saying the team's name in block letters. They should take note of the NBA jersey where just the team's name on the front and not the whole logo.

Still, I still think the team has a long way to go to regain their prominence, but a nice jersey is a start.

Thoughts on a Dull and Disappointing Fight, Pacquiao vs Mosley

Manny Pacquiao dominated Sugar Shane Mosley earlier winning quite a dull 12-round unanimous decision. Mosley got knocked down hard in the third. There are moments in which Shane fought hard, but all night, he was struggling to find his rhythm and clearly showed his disadvantage in speed and power, appeared even out of gas until the end. There's this controversial knockdown call by referee Kenny Bayless on Pacquiao in the 10th round, but replays showed its an obvious push.

What I noticed about the fight though was the crowd. They really voiced out their disappointment of how the fight turned out. I never saw a Pacquiao fight booed; this was booed, really booed. And I think the fight deserved it. The two fighters chit-chatting and giving high fives all through as if I'm watching bromance kinda fight. Manny said his legs might have cramped up during the early stages, maybe third and fourth round and clearly was off the whole night but still dominated. After Mosley was put down in the third it was downhill for him.

Mosley is 39 years old and should be retiring. He has proven himself as an accomplished boxer, even a Hall of Fame career. He don't need a "I-can-still-fight-the-youngins" kinda fights. Stop denying himself. He obviously can't. After two loses from two of the best fighters, and a draw with Mora, he should hang his gloves.

Manny no longer need these fights. I know he wants to fight Mayweather, the people wants it, and anything short of that is unacceptable anymore.

SIDE NOTES:

• What's with the Yellow Gloves?
• Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. introduces Pacquiao as Fighting Congressman.
• Charice's version of the National Athem was similar to the fight, bland and too safe.
• Mayweather would rather watch Lady Gaga than this.
• Shane Mosley was an expensive sparring partner.
• Paris Hilton wanna hang out with the Pacquaios.
• Mommy Dionisia again for the nth time wants Manny to quit boxing, though he asked for an Hermes bag for a gift.

Rajon Rondo's NASTY Injury, but that didn't slow him down

Watching this video makes me grimace in pain too. It was like Andrew Bogut's injury a while back. Thought is going to be end of the season for Rondo, but look out he returned to the game and actually played better. Damn!

Watch this layup with a broken elbow. Damn it again!

NBA AWARDS ROUND-UP

Most Improved Player

Kevin Love

Minnesota Timberwolves

 

Sixth Man of the Year

Lamar Odom

Los Angeles Lakers

Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard

Orlando Magic

Sportsmanship Award

Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors

Rookie of the Year

Blake Griffin

Los Angeles Clippers

Executive of the Year

Pat Riley

Miami Heat

Coach of the Year

Tom Thibodeau

Chicago Bulls

Most Valuable Player of the Year

Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls

THE FUTURE, NOW

This is the other match-up I more look forward to simply because they are young, exciting, and the future of the NBA. Both teams have solid starting fives and reliable back-ups. Oklahoma City's combo of Durant-Westbrook has been their staple, but I think the biggest factor for this team is the play of Serge Ibaka. He has been a beast since he was slided to the starting lineup.  He and mid-season acquired Perkins should match up well with Memphis big men. Serge Ibaka - who leads the league in blocks - has to use his athletic ability to try and contain Zach Randolph who exploited Tim Duncan's old legs during the First Round. Together with Marc Gasol, Z-Bo will take advantage of their size against the Thunder.

Memphis will have to contain Kevin Durant and I think that is no problem having two of the top perimeter defenders in Shane Battier and Tony Allen. The Scoring Champ will have to work overtime in order to get his shots. Russell Westbrook may have a slight advantage over Mike Conley, Jr, but very slim.

I think there are two players that will have to step up bigtime for each team -- OJ  Mayo and James Harden. I think they are going to be the X-factor for their respective teams. I think this is going to be an exciting series as we are seeing two teams that is going to be the face of the NBA in the near future -- they may even arrived at a faster rate than expected.

OKC may try to out ran the Grizzlies, but I think that is solely their game. They have a very suspect halfcourt offense and that is were Memphis is good at with Randolph and Gasol inside.

I wonder what will David Stern do if one of these small market teams go into the Finals?

* As of presstime, the Memphis Grizzlies stole homecourt winning in OKC in Game 1.

The Reason I Watch the Shakey's V-League

click to enlrage

HEAT vs CELTICS: RIVALRY BORN

It all boils down to this. The most anticipated match-up of the 2011 NBA season, even surpassing the Finals. It may have come too early, but we'll take it.  And that not even adding the numerous subplots behind this series. Will LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have their revenge on the Celtics in the Playoffs? How about Shaq (if ever he can play) playoff return in Miami. I wouldn't even mention the Delonte West controversies.  Ever since James and Bosh came down to South Beach, they know they have to go through Boston to achieve their "...not five, not six, not seven championships."

This semifinals series features more than half of the Eastern Conference All-Stars. I expect a Finals atmosphere with all the hate each team is getting (remember James' return to Cleveland).  Both of these teams preaches defense, and rightfully so, that these two teams belong in the top five in defense in the league. Who has the better defense?  The Celtics are still big even if they traded away Kendrick Perkins.  Yet the Heat have a better defense in the perimeter with James and Wade.

 The Celtics has an upperhand when it comes to experience (even championship experience) add to that the chemistry of their stars playing a lot more longer together. The key for Boston is the play of their point guard, Rajon Rondo, as he is the one steering this old legs. He had a great series against the Knicks, and where Rondo goes, the Celtics go.  I expect one hell of a series; tough, physical, and close.

Will LeBron James gets his revenge on the Celtics in the Playoffs? This is his third series against Boston. How bout Dwyane Wade's team last season? Like Rondo, Chris Bosh has to step up in order to will this team to the promise land. At the start of the season, we all see Bosh the the whipping lad of the team, but as the season progress, Bosh has been the steady force down low for the Heat. He has to take advantage of the front court of the Celtics now that Perkins is in OKC and Shaq is still questionable. I think his match up against Garnett is the key.

Boston may have been old and tired, but last season showed that they are still deadly. Barely finishing the regular season healthy, they cruised through the Playoffs and went on to play the Finals, eventually losing in game 7.

This season, the Celtics won the series, 3-1, with the Celtics winning at an average of 5 points, while the Heat routed them in their last regular season game.  But all of that is history. This is a whole new ballgame. This is the series that everyone is talking about. People are excited to see whose Big Three is better... Let's get it on!!

My pick: Miami in 7

The Stage is Set: PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals 2011

As the title said, the stage is set. It's between two bigtime teams, the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters up against the Ginebra Gin Kings.  I will give a  head to head match-up between these to PBA powerhouses. The Tropang Texters had an easy semis against a tired Air21 team and simply out muscled their way towards the Finals. Meanwhile, the Gin Kings almost had the same fate but Smart-Gilas fought back in Game 3, and the series had been physical.

Backcourt

The Kings's backcourt of Caguioa, Miller, Tubid, and Cortez practically carried this team all the way. Mark Caguioa has been sensational all playoffs reminding us of the "Spark" we once knew. Tubid has been steadily rising during the playoffs, even playing his best ball yet. Miller, on the other hand, has been still Miller. How about the Cortez's game in Game 4. I thought he was wearing a La Salle jersey rather than Ginebra's.  On the flip side, TnT's Alapag, Castro, and Reyes, has been a steady force for Coach Chot. Jimmy Alapag as we all know, has been great steering this star-studded line up. His stop-and-pop very dangerous. I have always set my eyes on Castro even during his PCU days. He could spell problems for Ginebra's old legs, as he is living up to his moniker, "Blur." With all of Castro's and Alapag's offense, stood Ryan Reyes' defense. He is their anchor defense in the perimeter, but watch out for his deadly three's. I still go for Ginebra.

Frontline

TnT clearly has an advantage here as Ali Peek, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo have been dominating teams. Add Harvey Carey and they are one scary team.  They're offense-defense as Peek and de Ocampo could put up huge numbers against Ginebra's thin bigs. TnT leads the league in rebounding. Meanwhile, the only inside presence for the Gin Kings had been their import. Rudy Hatfield has to do double against TnT as Menk and Villanueva is still sidelined. Mamaril and Yancy de Ocampo just aren't enough. TnT by a mile.


Imports

Paul Harris has been a complete compliment to the style of play of the Texters. He does not have to do all the scoring. Meanwhile Brumfield although has been great for Ginebra is going to have a tough time inside. Harris don't have to guard Brumfiled as TnT has enough big men to handle Nate. Paul Harris will have his way against Nate Brumfield.

Coaching

Chot Reyes and Jong Uichico are two of the great coaches in the PBA. They are championship caliber.  I'd say they are pretty even. 


X-Factor

Ginebra's crowd could out number Talk N' Text's.

Here's to an exciting Championship Series.