Cleveland Cavaliers

Every Monday, with the assistance of the good people over at www.basketball-reference.com, I like to take a look deep into the statistics of teams and players from around the league in a little post I like to call “Fun with Box Scores”.

Continue reading "Fun With Box Scores"

The NBA league pass is awesome, but nothing beats a good TNT double-header.

Tonight, we get a great TNT double-header.

The night starts off with Cleveland at Miami. I’ve written this before, but LeBron vs. Wade is the best head-to-head matchup to watch in the NBA right now. These guys always bring out the best in each other.

Continue reading "Great TNT Double-Header Tonight"

LeBron James makes his only trip to Madison Square Garden tonight. 

For the past two seasons there has been plenty of talk about LeBron bolting his hometown of Cleveland for the bright lights of New York City. 

Continue reading "LeBron Makes His Only Trip to "The Garden" Tonight"

In the NBA these days, it seems like there is a stat for everything. We’ve got PER, offensive efficiency ratings, defensive efficiency rating, and so on and so on.

It seems like every team in the league now employs their own stat guru. And while I’m not one to question the use of all these new statistics to evaluate NBA players (I actually kinda like them), I’m old school. 

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will ensure that he will never again be the dominant force he once was. 

The Ugly 

Cleveland Cavaliers 

It’s not exactly time to panic; it’s just an 0-2 start. But it’s the way that they went about doing it that makes Cleveland the ugliest team of the first two days of the NBA season. 

Continue reading "First Impressions"

Happy New Year!

With the new NBA season set to tip off with four games tonight, here are some of the things I’ll be watching for in tonight’s action.

Boston @ Cleveland, 7:30pm

I can’t wait to see LeBron again this season. Last year, coming off the Olympics, you could see that his focus was on improving defensively. Now, without a summer in the spotlight, I’m curious to see if he’s made any improvements to his already unreal game. Is this the year we finally see LeBron use his Karl Malone-like body to beast on people inside?

Continue reading "NBA Opening Night Quick Thoughts"

Disappointing news for NBA fans everywhere, courtesy of yahoo: 

"LOS ANGELES (AP)—Blake Griffin’s (notes) NBA debut has been pushed back indefinitely after the Los Angeles Clippers revealed late Monday night that their No. 1 overall draft pick has a broken left kneecap.

Continue reading "Disappointing First Impression of Blake Griffin"

The once infamous Lebron James getting dunked on tape is finally out for all to see. But all you see is a bunch of hype over nothing. Like the rest of the sports world, I had built up this monumental

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Or is it dilemmi? Either way.

As the entire NBA world eagerly awaits the potential match-up of Kobe and LeBron in this year's finals, they also can't help observe it's getting increasingly difficult for them to get there. The Magic and Nuggets are hitting their strides at the right time, with bench players stepping up at crucial moments, Van Panic and Karl making good coaching moves, and both team's point guards acting as the leaders they can be. Even if the current and future MJ's of our time average 50 a game for the rest of the playoffs, it won't matter. That's not how you reach the Golden Summit (Yes, I just used "Golden Summit" as an analogy for the Finals. Deal with it. I like it.).

Continue reading "Kobe and LeBron facing similar dilemmas"

Steroids has officially gone postal.

The list of all-star players who have been revealed to be using steroids: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez, now.......MANNY RAMIREZ.

Continue reading "Manny being Manny: The Latest twist ..."

If Kobe Bryant expects to win a championship this June, he needs to trust his teammates more. If he doesn't, the Lakers will not only struggle to win the Finals, they may have trouble even getting there. Last night's loss to the Houston Rockets, putting them down 1-0 in the series, is to me, enough cause for concern. Phil Jackson needs to sit down Kobe and tell him the same thing he told Jordan: trust your teammates more.

Continue reading "Memo to Kobe: Be like Mike"

Say Swine Flu keeps spreading. Say it gets worse, like "Outbreak" worse, and the majority of people in the US get it, including LeBron James. I still don't think I could beat him one-on-one. Even if it was first to score. Or if we played "PIG." Remember when Jordan had the flu in the '88 playoffs, and he dropped 47 against the Knicks, AT the Garden??? We spectators/bloggers/sports fans seriously over-estimate the flu. If LeBron had swine flu, not only would he stuff me like a Quizno's Torpedo, he would still be able to beat the following athletes/teams:

Continue reading "LeBron could beat me with Swine Flu"

I'm a Kobe fan. Huge Kobe fan. He's practically my generation's MJ. Nothing against MJ, I just never saw him play much. I went to the United Center once, when I was seven, and all I remember is Scottie Pippen's crew-cut and cotton candy. Also, I'm from D.C., so the fact that MJ ruined the entire development and chemistry of an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team, just so he could milk a little more limelight, doesn't really sit well.

Continue reading "Why Lakers fans should worry about ..."

I am not a morning person. I'm especially grouchy after being out late drinking $7 beers and watching the KG-free Celtics in a matchup with the Wizards that was much too hotly contested.

So you can imagine how I was feeling when I got an email entitled "Breaking Sports News" that confirmed my worst fears about Kevin Garnett's injury. To the co-workers I startled when I began screaming obscenities - my bad. 

Continue reading "What's next for the Celtics"

The Kobes and the LeBrons, excuse me, I mean, the Lakers and the Cavs met for the first time this season a week ago today in Los Angeles, and while the home team won by 17 in an uneventful game where James matched his number in points and Bryant’s 20 weren’t even a team-high, it did give basketball’s so-called pundits another opportunity to debate who’s better: Kobe or LeBron.

Continue reading "Kobe versus LeBron - The Battle for Superiority"

It's odd, I have my site at bostoncelticsnews.com, and I have only posted one thing NBA related. Well, how about I make it two? 

On MLK night, the Lakers took it the Cavs. If this game didn't showcase why the Lakers are the best team in the league right now, I don't know what does. For the average person who just looks at the NBA as a whole, the Lakers are the team right now. But, as Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend. Breaking it down, here are my rankings for teams that I think have the best shot at winning the championship. 

Continue reading "NBA Wrap-Up"

Anyone catch that Spurs Lakers game from last night?  It was a fantastic, wonderful game from tip-off to final buzzer.  It came down to the last possession, and there was a certain exchange that I found to be quite delightful that may just come in handy sometime later this year...  

Continue reading "A Quick Aside... (NOT!)"

p banner to the rafters of the Garden, and then proceeded to use defense and teamwork to pummel the Cleveland Cavaliers into submission on opening night.  Even more recently than that, the Celtics pounded those new look Pistons in a bone crushing 88-76 thumping in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

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The Celtics started out the season with Paul Pierce crying, then torching the Cavs with 27 points in a 90-85 win on Tuesday night.  Boston started off sluggish after their ring ceremony but came alive in the 3rd quarter outscoring Cleveland 24-13.  Pierce took it to LeBron once again.  Most people talk about LeBron being the best player in the league...but how come Pierce always has his way with him?  I'm not going to consider LeBron to be better than Pierce until he starts making some free throws (4 for 8) or an outside jump shot (0 for 4 from 3 point range).  LeBron had 22 points but they were mostly dunks and layups.  If you watch SportsCenter you'd think James had a great game with a few dunks but if you watched the game you know better.  Rondo had the 2nd best stat online on the Celtics with 14 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in only 30 minutes. 

Continue reading "The Boston Celtics are 2 games into ..."

He shot four three-pointers and missed them all.  He shot eight free throws and missed four of them, including two near the end of the game.  If he could have made just one three-pointer and two of those free throws, the game could have been a victory for the Cavs.  Lebron James simply cannot shoot a basketball.

Continue reading "Same Old Lebron Loses To The Celtics"

Lebron James is an amazing athlete. He is big, strong, and fast and he can pass a basketball pretty well, but he is not a good basketball player by NBA standards.

The media love to talk about James. They love to tell us how good he is and how he carries the Cavaliers to victory time and time again. James can hit a fade away three pointer and the commentators will talk for five minutes about James’ amazing ability to get you from all angles on the court.

Continue reading "Lebron James Isn't Really That Good"

The Boston Celtics have definitely proven their worth as a championship team. Their cinderella story has came true the previous season and now comes the hard part. It's time to defend and it's time to prove that they are deserving to be called NBA Champions. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett will have their hands full this season as many teams have improved their line-ups.

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R THE WEST

ROOKIES WIN OVER SOPHOMORES

PLAY-OFFS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1) Boston Celtics

2) Cleveland Cavaliers

3) Detroit Pistons

4) Orlando Magic

5) Philadelphia Sixers

6) Toronto Raptors

Continue reading "PREDICTIONS for the NBA 2008-2009 SEASON"

e to draw upon for eastern foes like Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Pistons or Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Familiarity can make an opponent easier to handle to some extent, even if that opponent is better than you.  If you play ball against your big brother long enough, eventually you start to figure out his tricks.

Continue reading "Celtics Look The Same in '08 as in ..."

Did you miss me?  Sorry for the extended hiatus once again, but I was busy being cooped up in a metal box for days on end, plus I had to go ahead and lose all of my money to various undeserving casinos and their patrons, so I've had no time to reflect on the world of sports.  Many of you are probably expecting to read (or at least skim) some bitter, semi incoherent rambling post about Tom Brady's left knee and the dirty Chiefs and the especially classless fans of the NFL who actually had the gall to celebrate and commemorate a horrific injury to the league's best player, but I've gotta leave something for Simmons to do, so that will not be a part of my post today.  Instead, I'm going to hide from my problems inside the twisted world of the NBA, where my beloved Boston Celtics are still champions, and my mistresses, the Portland Trailblazers are looking better than ever and are brimming with talent and potential.

Continue reading "Little Wing?"

ic!). 

All joking aside, the NBA season tip off should be fantastic, pairing the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, October 28th.  In case you were wondering, that’s only forty days and a few hours away, and already I’m giddy and fidgeting like a kid who’s hopped up on adderal on Christmas Eve (nice imagery, no?).  In case you have forgotten the epic battle between these two teams in the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs last year, I suggest that you hit up youtube.com for highlights, or better yet just drop by mi casa and I will gladly subject you to the championship DVD (fair warning: you come for one, and you may get sucked into watching the DVD from the Red Sox’ 2004 World Series run).

Continue reading "Return of the Rivalry"

I had been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame before, but I had to go back for Andre Tippett's Induction. It was the first time I ever experienced an induction and despite my bad seat, I was just glad to be there. There's no greater accomplishment for a pro player than to be enshrined with other legends and achieve immortality in the history of the sport.

Continue reading "A Hall of a Trip to Cleveland"

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.  I’m way too burned out on the Celtics/Lakers nostalgia trip to really engage this, but I think that this is worth pointing out (mostly because it’s an opportunity to poke at the national sports media for their laughably predictable analysis and Finals picks).  I just find it somewhat strange that after so many years of going for the same fools gold, the talking heads of the Association can’t figure anything out. 

Continue reading "Cyclical History and Boxing Tips"

Ugh, last night's loss left a bitter taste in my mouth to say the least.  I'm trying to fin the proper words to describe it, but it's proving more difficult than I had anticipated.  I could say that this loss was deflating and/or disheartening, but I'm not sure that it was all bad and completely demoralizing.  In fact, despite the loss, there were a few things that went well for the Celtics that I could see them using to recapture the edge in this series.

Continue reading "Silver Lining?"

Today's tangent is inspired by Raymond (shockingly, with me on this one) and Matt Stauffer, who has posed a challenge to me by asserting that the Celtics will lose to either Detroit or the winner of the Western Conference for a few key reasons.  Following the game one victory for Boston, I thought I'd address a few of his concerns (convenient that I waited until a resounding Celtics victory to start talking smack, isn't it?).  Hey, hey, easy now, I'm not fixin' to start a war or anything, in fact I respect the feedback and the fact that somebody is actually reading my posts (anyone else? ...Beuller?).  I'm only out to address the argument and provide as complete a rebuttal as I can, so without further delay, let's get started.

Continue reading "Hungry Like the (Former) Wolf"

What a game it was last night. As I was pacing up and down the modest size of my apartment's living room, my heart palpitations above healthy limits, Celtics managed to cling on to their lead to see away LeBron and his Cavaliers. Make no mistake - despite some of the Cavs' unquestionable talents, without LeBron they aren't that good.

Continue reading "LeBron and On"

I could officially care less about the Celtics road record this postseason.  After seeing the way the Celtics have played at home against some tough competition, I don't think that anybody, not even the mighty Detroit Pistons can beat the Celtics in Boston this year.  The players are hungry and the city is too, and we can all smell a championship now. 

Continue reading "The Truth Hurts!!!"

LeBron James & his handicap the Cleveland Cavaliers, I have some thoughts on how the Celtics might finally win a game on the road in this year's postseason.  The problems on the road have been numerous for the Celtics (and everyone else) this postseason, however I believe that the key to victory for the Celtics tonight will be their aggression on offense and communication on defense. 

Continue reading "B E Aggressive!!!"

Before the 2008 playoffs are through, there is an 87% chance that Sam Cassell will give me a heart attack while watching a Boston Celtics game.

           In the past 20 years, only Antoine Walker ranks higher than Cassell in terms of how fast you can go from loving the guy on the floor to demanding that he sit on the bench the rest of the playoffs.

Continue reading "Live by Sam Cassell, Die by Sam Cassell"

Well, I suppose that I am getting what I wanted.  The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Boston for tonight's opening game of the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Celtics.  A month or two ago, I boldly stated that I wanted the Celtics to play Cleveland in the second round because they are so inconsistent and flawed (LeBron James aside) and I thought that the Celtics had a good chance of beating them.  Judging by the way LeBron performed against the Wizards and the way the Wizards performed against LeBron, perhaps I should have been pulling for the upset all along (I was, secretly.  Nobody in their right mind really wants to play LeBron James, right Gil?).

Continue reading "Cross Your Fingers"

r in the perpetually watered down Eastern Conference.

Next, the Celtics face the always dangerous Cleveland Cavaliers, who are the defending Eastern Conference champions for one reason and one reason only:LeBron James.  As the Washington Wizards can attest, on some nights there is no stopping No. 23 in the Playoffs.  I'm sure that Doc Rivers and Tom Thibodeau are already scheming and trying to game plan a method to at least slow LeBron, but that is a tall order.

Continue reading "Dirrty South"

    The Celtics seven game series with the Hawks was a beneficial experience for the Celtics.  A team that had never played with each other in the playoffs was able to see what they were really made of.  The Hawks, granted they are an extremely young and inexperienced team, pushed the Celtics to their limit.  But the Celtics responded admirably by absolutely pounding the Hawks in a decisive game seven, ending any hope at all that their team would win.

Continue reading "Watch Out Cavaliers"

Sucks to the site server man, I've been getting blocked (like Scalabrine) by the website and unable to post for a few days.  I'm sorry, and it angers me more than it does you I'm sure.  Anyhow, here is my lovely post, it's not even stale yet! 

Continue reading "Rondo On a Roll, Plus Superstars Shining Bright"

the Wizards execute their next possession, LeBron gets the block, proving once again that he is the Cleveland Cavaliers.  James is doing it all, and making his teammates look especially good in the process.  In other words, business as usual in Cleveland. 

Continue reading "Playoff Extravaganza Part One: Wizards ..."

season of any NBA player this season, I can't really advocate for him because of the record of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  I know that he's got nobody to play with and that the Cavs are completely incapable of winning without him, the Cavs play in the cupcake conference of the East and should be doing better than they are right now.  The last player to win an NBA MVP award on a mediocre team was Moses Malone (26 years ago), and while LeBron is special and arguably one of the best players in the game today, he's not the top candidate this year.

Continue reading "Award Tour"

No NBA yesterday, instead I had to settle for March Madness, boo hoo.  It was a great game, and despite the loss I still think that Derrick Rose is the best player in college right now and should be the no. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft.  He's incredibly athletic, has a great sense of the game, a high basketball IQ and most importantly is, by all accounts, an excellent leader and teammate.  Michael "Beastly" is incredible as well, I just think Rose's ability to make his teammates better and his upside are tremendous.  Also, Chris Douglas Roberts and Mario Chalmers were amazing, to put it mildly.

Continue reading "A Pu-Pu Platter of Coming Attractions"

Yesterday, I wrote about the Celtics easy schedule heading into their likely first round match up with the Atlanta Hawks.  Today, after watching Cleveland lose to Larry Hughes and Ben Gordon and the Chicago Bulls (the only reason they even get a nod is because of Noah's last second defense on King James, otherwise I'd feel fine about disavowing their existence), I'm just itching to unnecessarily criticize the Cavs and explain to my massive audience (there's at least four of you by now, right?) why I'm salivating at the mere thought of a second round playoff match-up with Cleveland.

Continue reading "I Swear I'm Not Crazy..."