Daily Zap 11-11-14

New Orleans Pelicans (3-3) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3)

Anthony Davis may be having his best season ever, but even he was shown up by LeBron James’ performance in this game. The four time MVP recorded a triple double and combined with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for 86 points. Ryan Anderson helped give the Pelicans the lead in the first half, but even he couldn’t prevent Irving and James dominating the third - including an 11-0 run by the Cavs. The Pellies came back in the final quarter, closing the lead to three at one point, but they weren’t strong enough to hold off another Cavaliers surge with a few minutes remaining. 

Pelicans 111 - 118 Cavaliers

KEY PERFORMERS

Anthony Davis - 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 steals

Ryan Anderson - 32 points, 5 rebounds

LeBron James -32 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists

Kyrie Irving - 32 points, 9 assists

Utah Jazz (3-5) @ Indiana Pacers (2-6)

Roy Hibbert scored his highest points total since the 2012-13 post-season to help give the Pacers their first win after six straight defeats. The teams were close all the way through, Hibbert and Gordon Hayward leading their respective sides. But the Pacers managed to restrain Hayward in the final quarter, while Hibbert was give free rein on offense, meaning the Pacers outscored the Jazz 25-17 in the final quarter. Before the game there was good news for Pacers fans, as Paul George took to the floor to shoot with the team.

Jazz 86 - 97 Pacers

KEY PERFORMERS

Gordon Hayward - 30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists

Derrick Favors - 12 points, 8 rebounds

Lavoy Allen - 12 points, 15 rebounds

Roy Hibbert - 29 points

Atlanta Hawks (3-3) @ New York Knicks (2-6)

After a promising 2-1 start to the season, the Knicks have lost their past five games. They were tied at the half with the Hawks in this contest - even though the Hawks only shot 32% from the field in this time. The Hawks opened up a slight lead in the third thanks to an 8-0 run. Carmelo Anthony tried to keep his side alive in the fourth, he even managed to cut the lead down to one, but it was too little, too late as the Knicks sunk to another defeat.

Hawks 91 - 85 Knicks

KEY PERFORMERS

DeMarre Carroll - 9 points, 10 rebounds

Kyle Korver - 17 points, 8 rebounds

Carmelo Anthony - 25 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists

Iman Shumpert - 18 points, 5 assists

Detroit Pistons (2-5) @ Chicago Bulls (6-2)

Derrick Rose made his return in this game, and was instrumental to the Bulls’ win. He set off well, getting eight points in the first quarter, and giving his team a 16 point lead going into the half. But the Pistons won the third quarter, and carried on fighting back in the fourth, reducing the lead to two late in the final quarter. However, Rose and Jimmy Butler were both on impressive scoring nights, and could close out another win.

Pistons 91 - 102 Bulls

KEY PERFORMERS

Josh Smith - 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks

Greg Monroe - 16 points, 10 rebounds

Brandon Jennings - 11 points, 8 assists

Pau Gasol - 17 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks

Joakim Noah - 13 points, 14 rebounds

Derrick Rose - 24 points, 7 assists

San Antonio Spurs (3-3) @ Los Angeles Clippers (4-3)

Come the end of the season this game could be pivotal, with both teams expected to compete for the Western Conference title. Both teams seemed to lack a clinical touch on offense, but the game was interesting nevertheless. The Clippers were up by eight in the fourth quarter, but didn’t make a field goal in the last five minutes of play. San Antonio on the other hand improved their shooting, and with 40 seconds left, Kawhi Leonard stole the ball from Chris Paul, and then provided an assist to Manu Ginobili. With one of their last possessions, Jamal Crawford was fouled on the three point line, and made all of his free throws to cut the deficit to just two. Ginobili was intentionally fouled, but the Argentinean couldn’t convert on any of his attempts, giving the ball to the Clippers with 10.1 seconds left. Chris Paul tried to make a lay-up and couldn’t convert, and Blake Griffin couldn’t get a shot off after his rebound.

 

Spurs 89 - 85 Clippers

KEY PERFORMERS

Kawhi Leonard - 26 points, 10 rebounds

Tim Duncan - 18 points, 11 rebounds

Chris Paul - 12 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists

Blake Griffin - 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks

Daily Zap 05-11-14

Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers

There wasn’t much in this game at the end, but after winning the first three quarters it was clear the Milwaukee Bucks deserved this win. Brandon Knight spearheaded his side’s victory - continuing his very impressive start to the season - with rookie Jabari Parker seemingly settling well into professional basketball after also having a good game. Roy Hibbert was the stand out player for the Indiana Pacers as he continued his return to the form that saw him named as an All-Star last season. The teams were separated by just three points after the Pacers’ Chris Copeland scored a three pointer in the closing stages, but Knight was there for the Bucks to reinstate their lead, and this time it was decisive.

Bucks 87 - 81 Pacers
KEY PERFORMERS
Brandon Knight - 23 points, 7 rebounds
O.J. Mayo - 9 points, 5 assists, 3 steals
Roy Hibbert - 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks
Lavoy Allen - 8 points, 12 rebounds


Houston Rockets @ Miami Heat

In a battle between two teams with a 100% record, the Houston Rockets faced the Miami Heat. Neither team shot the ball particularly well at the start of the game, but big men - namely Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard - got plenty of second chance points from these misses. James Harden was as efficient as ever, getting to the free throw line ten times, and converting all of these chances. An 18-5 run seemed to give the Rockets some breathing space but the Heat regained lost ground to reduce the Rockets’ lead to six in the last quarter. This is when another tactic from Houston’s repertoire came into effect, with the three ball being shot very well. They finished the game with 46% shooting from behind the line on 37 attempts. Miami couldn’t find an answer to this offensive punch and succumbed to their first loss of the season. Meanwhile the Rockets are now 5-0 with tough games against the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors up next.

Rockets 108 - 91 Heat

KEY PERFORMERS
James Harden - 25 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds
Dwight Howard - 26 points, 10 rebounds
Chris Bosh - 21 points, 8 rebounds
Dwyane Wade - 19 points


Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks

After being blown out by the Bulls in their first game, the New York Knicks have won their past two games impressively, with the triangle offense seemingly working. And it continued in this game, Carmelo Anthony started off hot while Amar’e Stoudemire and Samuel Dalembert collected rebounds down low. But this form seemed to come to a complete halt in the third quarter as the Washington Wizards stepped it up a notch. The Wizards shot 55% from the floor in the third, with Paul Pierce being the go-to guy in their offense. On the other end of the floor the Wizards managed to limit the Knicks offense as they scored just 15 points in the quarter. Anthony went from hero to zero in the latter stages of the game, after starting well he ended up shooting just 8-23 in the game, and also committed seven turnovers. Although the Wizards didn’t dominate the last quarter, it didn’t matter, the damage was already done.

Wizards 98 - 83 Knicks

KEY PERFORMERS
Garrett Temple - 17 points, 5 rebounds
Paul Pierce - 17 points, 5 rebounds
Amar’e Stoudemire - 6 points, 12 rebounds
Carmelo Anthony - 18 points, 6 rebounds



Oklahoma City Thunder @ Toronto Raptors

The Oklahoma City Thunder can’t seem to catch a break. They were only able to suit up eight players for the trip to the Toronto Raptors but this number was reduced by the end of this game. They survived the first half injury free, and amazingly, they even led at the half, after a 30 point first quarter. However the problems began in the third quarter. Kevin Durant’s replacement Perry Jones drove in for a layup, but managed to clash knees with Patrick Patterson, meaning Jones had to leave the game with a suspected knee contusion. Later in the same quarter, Reggie Jackson tweaked his knee and left for the bench - luckily he was able to rejoin the game later. Despite all of this drama the Thunder were still in with a chance of winning this game, until late in the fourth quarter when the Raptors were able to use their squad depth against tired opposition. And still it got worse for the Thunder! Late in the fourth, Sebastian Telfair hit Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough on the face, which earned Telfair a flagrant foul, meaning he was ejected from the game. The Thunder ended the game with six players left, with Jackson not to full fitness, so there was little surprise when they lost the game.

Thunder 88 - 100 Raptors

KEY PERFORMERS
Serge Ibaka - 25 points, 11 rebounds
Reggie Jackson - 13 points, 14 assists
Patrick Patterson - 14 points, 8 rebounds
Tyler Hansbrough - 12 points, 7 rebounds


Orlando Magic @ Chicago Bulls

Two injury hit sides faced off in the Windy City as the Chicago Bulls hosted the Orlando Magic. The Bulls had to do it without their big two, with Derrick Rose still being out due to sprained ankles, and Joakim Noah catching a sickness bug. Although the Magic’s injuries were less pivotal - Willie Green, Mo Harkless, Devyn Marble and Andrew Nicholson all missed the game - they meant that Orlando only had 8 players for the game. Both teams started evenly, the Magic gaining an early lead but the Bulls soon pulled it back in the second. It was close until the final quarter, which was owned by the Bulls, in particular, Aaron Brooks. The guard who recently joined from Denver put in an incredible shift, managing to block Nicola Vucevic (despite being a foot smaller than him) and converting both his three pointer attempts. He helped give the Magic their fourth straight loss.

Magic 90 - 98 Bulls

KEY PERFORMERS
Nicola Vucevic - 19 points, 13 rebounds
Tobias Harris - 21 points, 9 rebounds
Pau Gasol - 16 points, 13 rebounds
Jimmy Butler - 21 points, 9 rebounds
Aaron Brooks - 14 points, 8 assists, 3 blocks


Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans

The Charlotte Hornets travelled to their old hometown to face the New Orleans Pelicans, with both teams desperately seeking a win after losing starts to the season. MVP candidate Anthony Davis started slowly, scoring just six points in the first half, but he soon picked his offensive game up, shooting 5-7 in the third quarter. This helped the Pelicans to a 26-17 third quarter lead, gaining a 15 point lead in the process. Although the Hornets soon reduced that lead to eight they couldn’t prevent the Pelicans from re-opening it again, with Ryan Anderson particularly helping on the offensive end of their game.

Hornets 91 - 100 Pelicans

KEY PERFORMERS
Al Jefferson - 20 points, 5 rebounds
Gary Neal - 21 points, 6 rebounds
Anthony Davis - 24 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks
Tyreke Evans - 16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists


Cleveland Cavaliers @ Portland Trail Blazers

LeBron James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers has not been a smooth process, and this homecoming was upset even more after a visit to the Portland Trail Blazers. It started off so well for the Cavaliers as well, they made their first ten shots with James scoring nine points in that time. But this momentum was halted in the second quarter, the Trail Blazers scoring 24 points of their own in this period, with LeBron looking a quieter player. Cleveland’s defence looked shaky but managed to keep the third close, but they soon fell away in the final quarter. To be perfectly honest the Cavs just looked poor in this match. Kyrie Irving shot 3-17 from the field, while LeBron could only find the bottom of the bucket once in seven attempts after the first quarter. Portland’s bench wasn’t convincing either - they scored five baskets together - but luckily their starting five stepped up and gave them the W.

Cavaliers 82 - 101 Trail Blazers

KEY PERFORMERS
Kevin Love - 22 points, 10 rebounds
Tristan Thompson - 10 points, 8 rebounds
Damian Lillard - 27 points, 7 assists
Robin Lopez - 19 points, 6 rebounds

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their worst start to a season since 1957 with yet another loss, again falling to the Phoenix Suns. Kobe Bryant seemed to be back to his vintage self, scoring 18 in the first half, and with the Suns shooting 1-15 at the beginning of the second quarter, it seemed like they might be in contention till the end. But Phoenix soon found their feet, and ended up leading at the half, mainly due to their bench being dominant over the Lakers’ reserve players. Bryant returned to court in the second half, and didn’t leave the game again, head coach Byron Scott deeming him too pivotal to the Lakers’ chances. Luckily Kobe managed to play 44 minutes injury free (he even cleared the first row of fans when chasing a loose ball) and provided 39 points on 14-37 shooting. It wasn’t enough to stop the Lakers losing again, with P.J. Tucker scoring a pivotal three pointer with just under 20 seconds left on the clock.

Suns 112 - 106 Lakers

KEY PERFORMERS
Markieff Morris - 23 points, 10 rebounds
Isaiah Thomas - 22 points, 9 assists
Kobe Bryant - 39 points, 9 rebounds
Jordan Hill - 15 points, 15 rebounds

LeBron Decides

LeBron James has made his decision. After months of speculation and rumours, LeBron told the world that he was going home.

This story was first broken by Sports Illustrated where LeBron discussed his reasons for the move with Lee Jenkins. And the thinking behind writing a magazine column to discuss his choice, rather than a press conference? Apparently, LeBron thinks that “After this, it’s time to get to work”. He also wished to explain himself about Miami without interruption. He said he didn’t want anyone to think “He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riley didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together.” He started off by saying that he now realises that “his relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball”. This is something he didn’t realise 4 years ago, but he can see that importance now. 

LeBron James revealed his decision in a piece in Sports Illustrated

It seems as though forgive and forget was the order of the day as LeBron said that he didn’t have any hard feelings against Cleveland fans. Neither did he have any bitterness towards Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert. You may remember Gilbert from 2010 when he penned a furious open letter about James leaving Cleveland. In the letter, which was released on the Cleveland Cavaliers website, Gilbert described James as a former hero and a coward and described the build up to “The Decision” as narcissistic and self-promotional. LeBron couldn’t exactly ignore this career-defining moment in his essay, but when the time came to talk about it, he was fairly reserved. He said “I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?” It looks as though the past has been forgotten, with the future being the only focus.

Speaking of the future, it is currently unclear as to who James will play alongside. Kyrie Irving is a definite team mate, after he recently put pen to paper on a 5 year, $90 million contract. As is former team mate, Anderson Varejao, who he said he can’t wait to reunite with. He described the Brazilian center as one of his favourite team mates. The big debate is whether LeBron will play alongside number 1 draft pick, Andrew Wiggins, or not. Trading the number 1 pick away without giving him a chance to prove himself may seem like a mad decision, but it is rumoured that it might be the only way to get Kevin Love. The power forward from the Minnesota Timberwolves is said to be intrigued by the idea of playing for the Cavaliers, and will be even more interested now that he will get the opportunity to play with the best player in the league. It could be Love’s best shot at a ring. Also, the Cavaliers are yet to sign Wiggins to a contract, which means he is still eligible to be traded this season. In his interview, LeBron name checked four of his new team mates, who were Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao. Wiggins was not included in this list, despite being the main name on Cavs’ fans lips. This may be reading too much into things, but with the scrutiny this statement must have gone through, surely one of James’ entourage mentioned it to him?

LeBron obviously has many reasons for moving back to Cleveland, not least of which the fact that it is his home town club. The former Cavaliers star “always believed that he’d return to Cleveland and finish his career there”. He also said that we wanted to bring a title to Northeast Ohio, a place that “hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time.” But his commitments to Cleveland stretch beyond just basketball. He said a big factor in his decision was the idea of being able to raise his kids (2 boys, with a girl on the way) in his hometown. Also, he feels that he has a “responsibility to lead” and pointed to the example of helping 3rd graders through his foundations. Although many will see this as pandering to the media attention, it is nice to see an NBA superstar think about more than the money and market of teams.

So, what of Miami? Well, there are plenty of rumours flying around about their other free agents. Ray Allen had hinted at the idea of retirement in this off-season, and said he was going to consider it in his free time. But when Cleveland reportedly came knocking at his door, he is willing to play again. Chris Andersen has already left, Shane Battier has become a commentator and the Miami Heat still only have 4 players under contract. To make matters worse, the one man they thought they could rely on to re-sign a contract with them, Dwyane Wade, is now be linked to his hometown club, the Chicago Bulls. They have tried to convince players to stay by signing free agents Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts, but they’re not the marquee players that will draw big stars to the club. The one saving grace is that their draft selection, point guard Shabazz Napier, is looking promising in his summer league appearances. You can’t exactly replace LeBron James, but there are plenty of small forwards on the market, such as Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza, who could be heading to South Beach. Chris Bosh has been the main target, with the media saying that he is likely to join the Houston Rockets in the next couple of days. However, it was recently reported (in fact, during the writing of this report) by Adrian Wojnarowski that Bosh has signed a $118 million deal that keeps him at the club for the five years. It will be interesting to see how this deal affects the decision of other free agents.

Overall, it’s easy to see why LeBron James returned to Cleveland. Although it won't go down well with those in Miami, Cleveland fans have seen the return of their king. Let’s hope he can bring them some long awaited success.

2014 Finals Preview

So. This is it. After 220 days, 1230 games and millions of Air Miles logged, the NBA championship boils down to one series. The Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs may have met last year in the finals, but this isn't just gonna be a re-run.

The NBA finals are always a fantastic spectacle and this year is no different

The Heat are looking to '3-peat', hoping to be the first team to manage this feat since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000-2002. The Spurs are going for their 5th championship. This would also mark the 5th victory for power forward Tim Duncan and head coach Gregg Popovich, who are often seen as the backbone of the Spurs squad for the past 15 years.

The rosters are barely changed, Marco Belinelli the only addition to the Spurs squad, whilst the Heat's trio of new players, Michael Beasley, Toney Douglas and Greg Oden, haven't made much of an impact this year. Some players have made big steps in terms of their ability, such as Danny Green and Norris Cole, but overall the line-ups looks fairly similar.

Speaking of the line-ups, it is near impossible to choose which team has the better starting five. At point guard, power forward and centre, the decision is clear as to who is superior with Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Chris Bosh taking the honours in their respective positions. Dwyane Wade effectively has to compete against Danny Green and Manu Ginobili, with both Spurs players having equal minutes at shooting guard.

Tim Duncan hopes to lead his team to their 5th title

The key player matchup is at small forward, where LeBron James takes on a rapidly improving, and defensively minded, Kawhi Leonard. However, no matter how well Leonard plays over the series, one thing is certain.

You can't guard LeBron James.

It doesn't matter what defensive strategy Leonard uses against James, LeBron will still be capable of scoring 20 points. Nevertheless, if you had to pick one man to take the unenviable task, Sugar K would be one of the first players picked. He did a very good job last year, and was possibly one of the main reasons the series went to 7.

Ray Allen's game tying 3 in Game 6 was the pivotal moment of last year's play-offs. Could we see another moment like this this year?

Obviously, the main factor to these games is how each team's Big Three perform. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan have all been solid for the Spurs this season, combining for 42 points per game between them. The Miami big three, consisting of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have been more potent at the attacking end, scoring 62 points a game. However, there are doubts over the fitness levels of Ginobili and Wade. Both players are playing reduced minutes due to age and injuries. Bosh choked in last season's play-offs, but will surely relish a second go at it. There are also worries about Tony Parker's ankle injury, but he is expected to play without a minutes restriction.


So, "Who will win?" I hear you cry. The real answer? 

Nobody knows.

That's the beauty of basketball.

End of Season Award Predictions

With the end of the season coming up, I thought I would make some predictions as to who is going to win the end of season awards.

Most Valuable Player
1st - Kevin Durant (Thunder)
2nd - LeBron James (Heat)
3rd - Joakim Noah (Bulls)

Honourable Mentions : Blake Griffin (Clippers), Kevin Love (Timberwolves), Paul George (Pacers)

The pundits billed the Race to the MVP as a fight between LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and what a contest it's been. But, at the end of a long, hard season, the Servant has surpassed the King. Durant has had career highs in pretty every stat, as well as breaking Michael Jordan's streak of 25+ point games. He also led his team through some tough times, when they were without their starting point guard, Russell Westbrook. LeBron hasn't exactly had a bad season, but for a long period of the season, it has looked like he has been coasting. Joakim Noah comes a distant 3rd, despite having a fantastic season for the Bulls in which he has recorded 4 triple doubles, and 43 double doubles. He has been a natural leader for a team that has had to play without Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

Blake Griffin was a contender for the final spot as he has been a star all season, especially during Chris Paul's absence. Joakim Noah clinched 3rd because he has been a little bit more consistent. Kevin Love also had a chance as an individual, but has been let down by the Timberwolves' appalling record. Paul George has been the main reason for the Pacers' success this year, impressing on both ends of the floor.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James battled to the end, and the Servant ended up on top.

Most Improved Player
1st - Goran Dragic (Suns)
2nd - Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
3rd - Lance Stephenson (Pacers)

Honourable Mentions : Blake Griffin (Clippers), Gerald Green (Suns), Kyle Lowry (Raptors)

I easily could have given this award to entire Suns roster, with the fantastic job that Jeff Hornacek has done. However, I think that Goran Dragic has been the prime example of this improvement. He has led his team to a fantastic season, which could end up in them winning a playoff berth. Not bad considering they were written off as the worst team in the West at the beginning of the season. Anthony Davis has also become the natural leader of a poor Pelicans team. He is sublime on both ends of the court, and has shown why he was the number 1 draft pick last year. The Pacers are another team who have improved massively this year (well, at least in the first half of the season) and Lance Stephenson has been at the forefront of that. There were talks of a first All-Star appearance for him, but he was snubbed in favour of Joe Johnson. Nevertheless, he has had a very good season.

It may surprise you to see Blake Griffin in this list, but he has come on leaps and bounds since last year. He has always been seen as a great dunker, but this year he has added a jump shot to his game, as well as impressive handles, especially coming from a big man. Gerald Green is another man who is considered as one of the best dunkers in the league. In his first season with the Suns he has worked considerably on his shooting and defence, and it's clear to see the effect he has had on the team. Kyle Lowry is a very underrated point guard who is averaging 18 points per game and 7.5 assists. Compare this to last season where he averaged 11.6 and 6.4, it's clear to see Lowry's potential is sky high.

Goran Dragic has captured the essence of the Phoenix Suns' improvements.

Rookie of the Year
1st - Michael Carter-Williams (76ers)
2nd - Victor Oladipo (Magic)
3rd - Trey Burke (Jazz)

Honourable Mentions : Tim Hardaway Jr (Knicks), Cody Zeller (Bobcats), Mason Plumlee (Nets)

Considering he was the 11th player drafted (and the 6th guard) and is playing for the team with the second worst record in the NBA, nobody could predict the season that Michael Carter Williams was gonna have. Averaging 16.7 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists is a stat line that compares to Magic Johnson's rookie season, and Michael's done it with a worse side. I genuinely believe that this kid can go far. Another rookie with tonnes of potential is Victor Oladipo. He's been the only man who has challenged Carter-Williams for the Rookie of the Year award. His 16-4-4 stat line is a bit worse than MCW's, but he is still sure to rival him all the way through their careers. Trey Burke slides into 3rd place, despite missing the beginning of the season. He looks like he could start a bright, young Jazz side, along with Gordon Hayward.

In all honesty, the draft class this year hasn't been very good. High picks like Anthony Bennett, Otto Potter Jr. and Kelly Olynyk have failed to impress, which is why you have to go down the draft order to find honourable mentions. Tim Hardaway Jr. was drafted 24th by the Knicks, but looks like rather good value. He could be a key piece in the bid to keep Carmelo Anthony in New York. Mason Plumlee was the 22nd pick and has proved to be a valuable role player for the Nets, with his 7 points per game, and 4 rebounds. Cody Zeller hasn't exactly had a jaw-dropping season, but he's the best of a bad bunch. Being in a playoff team in his season will give him a lot of experience for his future career. 

Michael Carter-Williams has been a class act this year, but the draft class overall disappointed.

Coach of the Year
1st - Gregg Popovich (Spurs)
2nd - Tom Thibodeau (Bulls)
3rd - Jeff Hornacek (Suns)

Honourable Mentions : Dwane Casey (Raptors), Steve Clifford (Bobcats), Terry Stotts (Trailblazers)

At the beginning of the season, the Spurs were ruled out of contending for the championship for being too old (again), and then during the season, everyone said they would get tired near the end (again), and now they have the best record in the NBA (again). Of course, players like Tony Parker and Tim Duncan play a key part in this consistency, but a lot of credit has to go to Gregg Popovich. His coaching style is not liked by the NBA board, but resting his top stars is sometimes needed, especially when his roster isn't exactly getting any younger. He also sets up the Spurs based on how they can beat their opponents. This allows them to have a number of plans, and they can flow dynamically between them. Tom Thibodeau is another coach who has done wonders with a depleted roster. He has had to deal with the absence of Derrick Rose and Luol Deng, and instead had to rely on less known players, such as D.J. Augustin, and those with little experience, Tony Snell. He has based the Bulls on defence, and it has worked brilliantly, gaining them a top 4 playoff seed (which also means home court advantage). Jeff Hornacek obviously didn't get the memo about the Suns supposedly being the worst team in the West, as he has (potentially) lead them to a playoff spot. As well as that, he has improved players such as Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Gerald Green massively, and encouraged a brilliant team spirit.

The Raptors have had their best season ever, and part of this is down to Dwane Casey. He was in charge of the Raptors last year when they finished bottom in the Atlantic division, with a .382 record. But this year, they are a completely different team, clinching their division, and getting a home court playoff place as well. In his debut season as a NBA head coach, Steve Clifford has turned around the Charlotte Bobcats from the league's fall guys to genuine playoff contenders. He has most of his players' playing their best season to date, including Al Jefferson who has phenomenal campaign this year. Terry Stotts also deserves respect for taking a Trailblazers team to the playoffs so comfortably, when people reckoned they may scrape through.

Old time coaches Gregg Popovich and Tom Thibodeau were at the top of their game again this year

6th Man of the Year
1st - Jamal Crawford (Clippers)
2nd - Manu Ginobili (Spurs)
3rd - Markieff Morris (Suns)

Honourable Mentions : Taj Gibson (Bulls), Reggie Jackson (Thunder), Nick Young (Lakers)

This award is possibly the hardest one to give out, because it's hard to know what individual coaches want from a 6th man. Do they want someone who is happy to slip into that role, and doesn't challenge for a bigger place (like Ginobili) or someone who can make that step up and push the starters out of place if necessary (such as Crawford)?

No matter what people look for, it's undeniable that Jamal Crawford has had a very good season. Despite being 34, he is still averaging 30 minutes per game, a high number for a 6th man, particularly at his age. He has had to step into the Clippers' starting 5, when both J.J Redick and Chris Paul have been injured. He's also scoring a very respectable 18.5 points per game, which rivals some starters at other teams. A man playing a very different 6th man role is Manu Ginobili. He is only averaging 23 minutes, but he's making the most of them, scoring 12.4 points per game, and 4.3 assists. He can't play as many minutes due to his age but he is still making a massive impact on the Spurs side. Gibson has become a much more pivotal part of the Bulls, especially on the offensive end, where he's always a threat. 13 points per game and 7 rebounds is a good figure for anybody, especially when they're a 6th man. He could be moved up to a starting spot next season, if Carlos Boozer leaves in the post-season.

Both Markieff Morris and Reggie Jackson have had fantastic seasons, and in any other year, they would be battling for the 1st and 2nd spots. Morris could have easily made the running for Most Improved Player, but I decided to put him in this category to award his efforts off the bench. He hasn't had a mind-blowing career so far, but has dealt very well with the responsibilities that Jeff Hornacek has given him. Getting 14 points a game from 26 minutes is a very impressive stat, especially from Morris, who has struggled on the offensive side of his game in past seasons. Reggie Jackson had a brilliant spell as a starter at the beginning of the season, replacing the injured Russell Westbrook at point guard. Since Westbrook's return, Jackson has dropped down to 6th man, but is still impressing in his 3rd season as a pro. Whether you love him or hate him, Nick Young has been one of the better players for the Los Angeles Lakers in an awful season. There are still questions about his defence, but on offence, he is a very good pure scorer. 

The 6th Man of the Year award was closely contested this year, with several great candidates.

Defensive Player of the Year
1st - Joakim Noah (Bulls)
2nd - Serge Ibaka (Thunder)
3rd - Anthony Davis (Pelicans)

Honourable Mentions : Andre Drummond (Pistons), Dwight Howard (Rockets), Roy Hibbert (Pacers)

This was another tough award to decide as there are so many great candidates, from all over the league. I think I have picked the top six players here (all centers incidentally) who have provided on an individual basis, and helped their team as a whole.

Joakim Noah is the favourite to take this award officially, and it's easy to see why. The Chicago Bulls are often seen as the best defensive team in the league, and Noah is seen as the epitome of that solid defence set up by Tom Thibodeau. 7.7 defensive rebounds and 1.5 blocks show that skill and leadership he was naturally blessed with. He could be described as the most part of the Bulls' playoffs bid. It may surprise you to see Serge Ibaka so far up this list, but let me talk you through my decision to give him second. I will admit, for a 6'10" power forward, to only average 6 defensive boards a game isn't award worthy. However, averaging 2.7 blocks per game (which puts him 2nd on the list this season) and the fact that the Thunder are one of the best defensive teams in the league, with their opponents field goal percentage being the 3rd lowest in the league. This balance of individual prowess and team defence puts Ibaka in a firm second place. Anthony Davis is in a bit of a different situation to the aforementioned players. The 21 year old power forward is having a sublime season, recording a very impressive 7 defensive rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. However, the Pelicans are having a bad season on the defensive end (and on every other end as well really). If this award was awarded purely on individual effort, then he would run away with it.

Another young man in a similar position to Davis is Andre Drummond. He's posting a very good 7.8 defensive rebounds per game (which puts him 7th on the NBA list this year), but the Pistons are having an absolutely shocking season. They are one of the worst teams in the league, with their points conceded total being the 3rd worst in the league, with only Philly and the Lakers below them. Dwight Howard has had a quietly good debut season out in Houston. He is usually in the running for this award (having a 12'6" vertical reach probably helps with that quite a bit) and has only slipped away from contention this year due to Houston not being fantastic defensively as a whole. Roy Hibbert was an early frontrunner in this category but his charge has slowed dramatically as recently, he has been putting up some awful numbers. In April, he has been averaging 3.2 rebounds, meaning he has been out rebounded by his much shorter team mates such as Lance Stephenson and Paul George. Not good for a center who stands at 7'2".

Joakim Noah hasn't stood out massively individually, but his team's success has lead to him being awarded.

 

Movers and Shakers

The Free Agency period is usually one of hectic moves and headline grabbing roster changes, and this time around is expected to be no different.

There are over 100 players entering Free Agency this year, including some big stars from both conferences. Below, I have listed 5 players that are likely to get the attention of the public, and the media, as well as providing my take on what I think will happen.

Paul Pierce
"The Truth" signed a one year contract with the Brooklyn Nets last year as part of a bumper trade deal. However, Pierce hasn't had a great season on the East coast due to a couple of factors. He broke his hand earlier in the season, meaning he missed a few weeks out. Also, the Nets currently have a .500 record, which shows how bad a season they're having, despite predictions that they could win the championship.

Add onto the top of this, his $15 million contract, and you'd imagine it's hard to find suitors for the ageing small forward. But actually, there are plenty of teams supposedly interested. There are rumours of him possibly going to the Clippers, re-joining forces with Doc Rivers in his home town. However, the lack of cap space on the Clippers' part means that this trade is unlikely to go through.

Of course, the Boston Celtics will always be linked with a trade for one of their biggest stars of recent times. It would certainly bring an end to an era, especially as the team is currently in the process of rebuilding. I don't think this will happen though, as the Celtics will be keen to hold on to their many draft picks for the future.

I think he's more likely to stay with the Nets. They won't want to be seen as "losing" the trade. Also, the 16 season veteran provides great experience to a side under the leadership of a rookie coach, in the form of Jason Kidd. Retirement is also an option for him, but I think he'll stay in Brooklyn for a few more seasons.

Pau Gasol
The rumours about Pau Gasol's future at the Lakers have been swirling for some time now. If you believe the whispers, he can't wait to get away from the franchise, and they can't wait to get him off their pay roll. Some believe that his attitude isn't what the Lakers want in their team, where as others cite his age as a problem.

It is true that the team is trying to rebuild, especially with 11 players becoming free agents this year. Their draft pick situation isn't too bad either,  with them having quite a few selections in the foreseeable future. It is fair to say that at the age of 33, Pau is unlikely to have a big hand in the rebuilding of the Lakers.

The key here is how serious the rumours are. If they have an element of truth to them, then this could be the season that he finally leaves. It will also be down to how much money he is willing to accept. His days of earning a maximum salary are over and teams know that. It could turn into a bidding war over the big Spaniard.

Luol Deng
At the beginning of this season, Luol Deng announced that he was going to test the free agency. In January, Deng was traded from the Bulls to the Cavaliers, with Andrew Bynum going the other way (although only for a matter of hours).

Since the trade, he has been solid but isn't exactly putting up show-stopping numbers. Despite this, Deng is still a great player on both ends of the court, and any team would benefit from having him in their roster. And there are teams apparently interested. Potential suitors include the Mavericks, Wizards and Pistons.

Don't rule the Cavs out just yet though. They have plenty of money so can keep paying Deng at a high level. However, their squad is probably a little too inexperienced to challenge for rings right now. So the decision is his. Does he want money or success?

Although he got a trade away from the Bulls, I still feel that he will review his options before he goes anywhere. Wherever he lands up, he will still be an influential figure in the world of basketball.

Carmelo Anthony
When Melo traded to the Knicks from the Nuggets in 2011 he did it to challenge for rings. However, it hasn't worked as he planned and instead is looking at the possibility of not making the play-offs.

As well as this, the Knicks have a poor roster who make bone-headed decisions both on (J.R Smith) and off (Raymond Felton) the court. Add to this the fact that their squad is ageing and it's not looking good for Melo's chances to win a title.

So it's easy to see why he's frustrated. The question is whether he will stick around much longer. The Knicks certainly have the funds to pay him a top dollar sum of money, and a fanbase that puts some teams to shame. But, many people (including myself) don't think he will. He doesn't exactly owe anything to New York and they haven't delivered on their promise of becoming a dominant franchise.

So, where to for one of the league's best scorers ? There are reports that Kobe Bryant has tried to recruit him personally, and although this would be interesting to see what would happen to the Lakers' assists numbers, I don't see it happening.

The Bulls are another team being linked, especially after the departure of fellow Small Forward Luol Deng. I think this would be a good move for both parties. Anthony's defence has been improving in recent years and working with Tom Thibodeau can only improve that. Melo can return the favour by adding a significant scoring threat to a team currently languishing in last place in points scored per game.

Would a big three of Rose, Melo and Noah be enough to win a championship. If Rose stays fit and Noah maintains his level of play, they're heading in the right direction.

[Note : Since writing this article, sources have reported that Joakim Noah has convinced Melo to join the Bulls]

Miami's Big Three
The Heat-les, The Big Three, Miami Thrice, whatever you call them, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have dominated the game for the past couple of years. All of their contracts run out this year, meaning that this summer is one that could change the Heat franchise forever.

Chris Bosh
When Bosh came to the Heat, it was uncertain how he would react to not being the star player for the franchise. However, he's settled in nicely, as you can tell by his two rings and five All-Star appearances. So, why would he leave ? There's very few reasons, but maybe if he wanted to become the franchise player again, but I feel this is unlikely. He should stay.

Dwyane Wade
His knees may not be holding up, but his game certainly is. The shooting guard is being forced to play less minutes, due to his age, but his efficiency has increased, thanks to career high field goal and three point percentages. To be honest, he's only really needed for the Heat's playoff campaign, so it's hard to see him moving.

LeBron James
So now we come to the name on everyone's lips. LeBron's form has been improving and he has stepped his bid to win his 5th MVP title. He came to Miami in the search for rings, and it's worked, as he has two of them. Yet, some people still think he'll leave. I don't see it myself. Maybe if Bosh goes and Wade's knees pack up, but until then, the King will stay in South Beach.

LeBron Over Durant ?? No... Well, Not Yet

The latest Race to the MVP standings have been released, and there is a headline change at the summit.

Yes, Kevin Durant's reign at the top is over. Long live King James.


But is it deserved ? In my opinion, no. Since last week  both players have had comparatively equal runs, with one major talking point. The Heat-Thunder game.

This was billed to be the pivotal moment in the Race to the MVP. As well as that, Russell Westbrook was returning after missing 27 games with a knee injury. The stage was set for a showdown between, arguably, the two best teams in the league.

So, what happened? Well, LeBron and the Heat won the day, despite James taking a blow to the face from Serge Ibaka. Despite his team performing poorly, shooting only 38% from the floor, Durant (or should that be "The Servant" ?) didn't exactly have a bad game, with 28 points and 8 rebounds.

But of course, fans took to social media to declare that LeBron is back, and Kevin couldn't hold a candle to the "true" MVP. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm not sure of their logic.

Durant is still averaging more points and rebounds than LeBron this season and has helped OKC through a period without their star point guard. The return of Westbrook may benefit the team, but it could damage Durant's MVP chances.

With Westbrook back in the team, the Thunder now have two All-Star players, meaning some of the public (and media) attention will be off KD. It is also safe to presume that Thunder Head Coach, Scott Brooks, will set his team up to use both Westbrook and Durant, instead the current system of relying on Durant. Whereas, out in Miami, LeBron will still be taking all the headlines.

This could be the main factor in LeBron taking his 5th MVP crown. As mentioned before, his stats are slightly worse than Kevin's at the minute, a fact that can be easily forgotten if you help your team to clinch the number 1 seed in your conference.

I guess we will see what will happen in the rest of the season, but for now, the Race to the MVP is definitely on.

Who will win ? Only time can tell.

All-Star Predictions

Apologies for not posting yesterday, I'm currently working on a season review so far and it's taking a long time to prepare. Whilst I'm writing that, I thought I'd do a quick post choosing and explaining my picks for the All-Star Weekend events.

All-Star Game: West - Why? Because just look at the squads. The starting line-ups may be evenly matched - even with the East starting LeBron at centre - but the depth the West have in their squad is incomparable. I mean, you're looking at Tony Parker being a 5th or 6th choice guard. The East may storm into a lead at the start of the game, thanks to LeBron, PG24 and Melo, but they will struggle when substitutions are made.


All-Star Game MVP: Kevin Durant - LeBron will probably have a comparable, or even better, game than Durant, but the West winning the game will help elevate the Durantula into the minds of voters. A dark horse in this could be Blake Griffin. A mix of his high-flying antics and his developing ability as an all-round player could win him the award.

3 Point Shootout: Stephen Curry- They don't call him a splash brother for nothing. Curry is having a great time shooting the 3-ball and I don't expect that to stop in the shootout. He is .409 from behind the line, not the highest in the competition, but he's still my favourite to win. Arron Afflalo and former winner, Kevin Love, provide serious opposition.

Dunk Contest: East - The Dunk Contest will this year, go to a conference rather than an individual player (there is a Dunker of the night accolade, see below). I think the East will be the victorious side. Paul George is throwing down 360s in-game, meanwhile Terrence Ross is rumoured to be working with YouTube sensations, The Flight Brothers, to do something never seen in a Dunk Contest before.

"Dunker of the Night" - Paul George - As I mentioned before, he is doing crazy stuff in-game, so I can't even imagine what he'll do during the Dunk Contest. Terrence Ross is also a contender, and in the West, Harrison Barnes is probably considered the underdog.

Rising Stars Challenge: Team Hill -  #TeamHill all the way. Looking down the roster, it's a tough call to split them. But, I think that the experience that Team Hill has - all but one of the roster is a sophomore - will elevate them above the Webber Team, mainly made up of rookies.

Rising Stars MVP: - Anthony Davis - He is the "hometown hero" after all. The centre has impressed all season and he was the first pick for Chris Webber. In the All-Star Game, I know I predicted the MVP to be on the winning side, but I'm expecting Davis to have a big game in front of his home fans.

Skills Challenge: Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson - Dragic has been fantastic this season, and must have been close to gaining a spot on the All-Star roster (he should have been in it if you ask me). Jackson has also been good, making himself an apt replacement for the injured Russell Westbrook. I think they'll face off against MCW and Oladipo in the final, my two favourite rookies this season. It will be interesting to see how Giannis Anteto... Antetu... (yeah, you know who I mean) will do, considering he is listed as a Power Forward

So, there are my predictions. I just realised, when reading it back, that I haven't picked Damian Lillard to win anything, despite being the first man to compete in all five All-Star Weekend events. Oh well Damian... Better luck next time.

Views on the Dunk Contest

So, the All-Star Weekend participants have been announced. The Dunk Contest will consist of, for the East, reigning champion Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors), fan favourite Paul George (Indiana Pacers), John Wall (Washington Wizards), and for the West, Damien Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), rookie Ben McLemore (Sacramento Kings) and Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors).

So, still no LeBron James, despite Magic Johnson's offer of $1 million back in March of last year, but I still think the line up looks pretty strong. Better than last year's anyhow. Don't get me wrong, I love Kenneth Faried and Eric Bledsoe, but they seemed to lack that pizzazz (yup, that's a word) that has made the Dunk Contest a favourite in the NBA calendar. The lack of big names last year also didn't help popularity with the fans, but with 3 big stars in George, Lillard and Wall, surely the fans can't complain ?

Oh, and did I mention they've changed the format ? There will be no more dunk champions... Actually, that's a little dramatic, but for the first time this year, a conference will win rather an individual. Personally, I think this is a poor idea, and it needs to reversed pretty soon. What was wrong with 6 individuals dunking for themselves and then 1 winning at the end ?

"Who's gonna win ?", you may ask. Well, in my opinion, I feel that it will be the Eastern Conference because of two words... Paul George. He's already competed in the Dunk Contest in 2012 where he impressed fans with his dunk over Roy Hibbert (who stands at a mere 7 foot 2), and since then George has elevated (no pun intended) to the heights of the NBA.

You can't ignore the threat of the West though. Damien Lillard has thrown down two massive dunks in-game recently, and McLemore and Barnes have provided plenty of highlights in their shorts professional careers.

Paul George of the Indiana Pacers will hope to help the Eastern Conference towards victory