King James Finally Crowned NBA Champion

(photo courtesy of carltonjordan.com)

It took Lebron James 9 seasons, but he's finally joined the NBA's champion elite, guiding his Miami Heat to a 121-106 victory over a promising Oklahoma City squad.

  With Lebron James’ 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, he became only the fifth player in NBA history to record a triple-double in the close out game of the Finals. He has joined NBA greats Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Larry Bird, and most recently Tim Duncan who did it in 2003.

 The Miami Heat tied an NBA Finals record by making 14 3-Pointer’s, seven of which were by seldom used Mike Miller.

   Lebron James is one of the most heavily criticized players in NBA history, and he may be disliked by many, but for now all we can do is praise him for leading the Heat to their 2nd ever Championship.

- Nard Dogg

By the Beard of Harden!

(photo courtesy of abasketballjones.com)

The NBA Finals will be fueled by the likes of top stars such as Kevin Durant, LeBron James & Dwayne Wade. Shuffled among these big names, one man stands out from the rest of the pack. That man is James Harden. This year’s 6^th Man-of-the-Year Award winner will be the Thunder’s secret weapon on route to an NBA title. He has hit several clutch shots over the course of these playoffs and continues to play with consistency. On a team that’s run by the NBA scoring champ, and one of the top five point guards in the league, Harden has managed to make himself an impact player. Powered by a beard that would make Zeus jealous, Harden will be the X-Factor and will one day soon be one of the top guns in the league.


-Raindrops

Philadelphia 76ers: Rise of the Underdogs

(photo courtesy of sportslogos.net)

(photo courtesy of therx.com)

With the Conference Finals underway, the Heat, Celtics, Spurs & Thunder will do all they can for a chance at competing in the NBA Finals. One team that won’t be is the Philadelphia 76ers, whose playoff hopes were crushed by the Celtics Saturday Night.

(photo courtesy of thestartingfive.net)

(photo courtesy of depressedfan.com)

The Sixers just barely made the playoffs and were considered underdogs from the jump. They silenced their critics by knocking out the top-seeded Bulls in the first round, and brought fourth place Boston to 7 games in round 2. Although officially done for the season, the 76ers proved that the future is theirs. With an average age of 25, Philly should be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. With their showing in these playoffs, fans can now see that it’s time for the rise of the underdogs.


-Raindrops

Have The Heat Already Won The East?

(photo courtesy of www.peninsulaismightier.com) 

The Miami Heat look like they might just be untouchable in the Eastern Conference. Chicago were the only real contenders to their crown, and we all saw how they looked without D-Rose. It's ludicrous to think Philadelphia or Indiana can matchup with the Heat, and Boston would have had their hands full with that lineup even a few years ago when they were the big dogs. With Rose out of the picture along with Dwight Howard, it has become painfully obvious just how lopsided the talent pool in the NBA really is. Blue collar teams that reside in the middle of the pack can simply do no more than compete, creating an elitist culture that is even more exclusive than English soccer. For the swaths of Heat haters, it would seem that their hopes live on only in the West. 

Lamar Odom, Dallas Mavericks part ways

(Photo Courtesy of dailyworldwidenews.com)

The Dallas Mavericks and Lamar Odom reached an agreement on Monday that will let Odom leave the team without getting released.

In Odom's only season in Dallas, he played his worst basketball of his career posting career lows in every single important statistic you can think of. Now I understand he's gone through many personal tragedies in his life, but the way he spent his time in Dallas was pathetic.

I have no sympathy for bums like this in the NBA. He's a long time veteran in the best league in the world and a lot of players would die to be given the opportunities he's had. For all I care Lamar can go to being the crybaby husband of that pig Khloe Kardashian and leave the NBA to the players who aren't mentally unstable to play a full season.

-Nard Dogg

Kobe Bryant is a God

(photo courtesy of thestatechamp.com)

When it's all said and done, Kobe may not leave the same legacy as the "GOAT" Michael Jordan, but you can't deny his heart. Kobe was awful on Saturday, going 0-15 from quarters one to three, posting the worst shooting performance of his career. It wasn't until there were only 7 minutes left that he hit his first field goal, but he still finished by hitting the game-winning three pointer. As he made the shot you can see Hornets guard Trevor Ariza just smiling like he knew it was going in. Heck, everyone in the building knew it was going in. The next night he shakes it off and explodes for 40 points in a win vs Golden State. The "Black Mamba" is truly one of the best ever and I'm not looking forward to the day he retires. 

- Nard Dogg

Nash Feeling The Heat, Getting Out Of The Suns

(photo courtesy of USAToday.com)

Steve Nash is probably the next big star on the move in the search for a title. The rumors swirling about his future in Phoenix were put to rest today in an interview with Dan Patrick; unless Phoenix can make some big moves in the off-season, Nash will be signing with a contender. It's a story as old as time, the classy franchise player on a sub-par team reaches the moment of truth.

(photo courtesy of mrbasketball.com)

Nash's honesty in calling out his beloved Suns is a revelation. PC and DB athletes alike don't often go on record so bluntly. If Phoenix obliges and Nash returns, it'll be a reversal of the cliche. If not, the Miami Heat might get a whole lot better. Either way, Nash's legacy could possibly ride on what happens this off-season.

Chris Bosh Can Suck It

(photo courtesy of buzzfeed.com)

Chris Bosh went from being king Raptor, to being a regular ass twiggy dinosaur. For the most part Raptor fans have moved on, we've been divorced several times, and by better players than Ru Paul. It was the fact he handled the media like a 13 year old girl getting ready for the prom that enraged Raptor Nation, pushing his public approval rating in T-dot to near-Vince status. 

(Photo courtesy playersbasketball.blog65.fc2.com)

Apparently he hasn't learned his lesson. In an interview today on Toronto radio, Bosh made statements such as "It's never fun watching your friends struggle", affirmed his devotion to Miami fans, and was non-committal when asked if the Raptors should have traded him. Suck it, bud. Don't comment on your former team struggling when you could have stayed. Just stop twisting the dagger and go back to playing third fiddle.

Raptors Rebuilding the Right Way

(photo courtesy of thescore.com)

The Toronto Raptors may not win, but damned if they don’t look good losing. New head coach Dwane Casey is being dubbed by many as the team’s MVP, as this year’s edition of the Raps have shown a commitment to team defense unlike any in recent memory. That’s good news for the future, plus the Raptors will have an influx of talent coming in next season. 

(photo courtesy of therecord.com)

The Raptors are in position to possibly land a lottery pick. How that pick is used is anyone’s guess, but the Raptors will get a quality player. Euro board-beast Jonas Valanciunas will likely make his NBA debut next year, and should help their struggling rebounding. Add all that with the development of core dudes like Amir Johnson, DeMar DeRozan, and Andrea Bargnani, and you’ve got an exciting future in the Great White North. 

Toronto's Operation #TankNation

(Photo courtesy of storm-nation.blogspot.ca)

(photo courtesy of raptorswatch.com)

                         

There's a debate raging around Toronto about the validity of #TankNation. It's the notion that when lower-end teams clearly aren't playoff bound, it's in their best interest to tank down the stretch to secure a better draft pick. 

Obviously no professional athlete would lose purposely, but this is more about the fans. The only thing they have to look forward to is next year, and they don't want their team to lose, but it wouldn't hurt. I understand the argument that to tank is classless, and it is, but bottom line, it's a struggling team's best chance at improving. The Raptors have embraced their fate and are tanking accordingly, while the Leafs are clinging to false hope, and after playing themselves out of the playoffs, will now likely play themselves out of a lottery spot too. #WorstCaseScenario.

Raptors Getting Real With Barbosa Deal

(photo courtesy of raptorsdigest.com)

                   

Bryan Colangelo didn't have many moves to make at the NBA's trade deadline, but he was still able to make one that made sense. Leandro Barbosa has been one of Toronto's most consistent players since coming north. His energy off the bench, ball movement, and quickness have made him a perennial sixth man of the year candidate. But Barbosa is also aging, and on a team mired in what is, in reality, still a long-term rebuild, it didn't make sense to keep him and his expiring contract around. Coming back in return was a second round draft pick, turning an aging and expiring asset into one with essentially limitless potential. It's tough losing a leader like Leandro, but the toughest decisions are often the ones that make the most sense.

Carmelo Carries on Tradition of Cry Baby Culture

(photo courtesy of si.com)

The Knicks are stuck in a free fall that has them slipping from the playoff picture. Linsanity faded in the blinding light of Carmelo Anthony’s star, and now that shine has cost coach Mike D’Antoni his job. With that much offensive talent on the Knickerbocker roster, a bread-and-butter offensive specialist like D’Antoni has no excuse for sucking this hard. The way he’s exited however is a sad sign of the times. Reports had D’Antoni’s relationship with Melo deteriorating rapidly in the final days, with Melo asking for a trade. Thus the powers that be made their choice, and a spoiled brat got his way yet again. Sadly the NBA has cultivated a culture in which egos make business decisions, teaching the ever-valuable lesson to kids that if everyone likes you, you can get your boss fired. True role models.

*The NBA Playoffs: Where The Cool Kids Hang

    


    Tonight the most irrelevant round in all of sport gets under way: round one of the NBA playoffs. The time of year when all the teams who battled so very hard to get into the post season are reminded that they play in a league of haves and have nots. Geeks and jocks. It's not often in basketball that a lower seeded team gets the job done in round one, but some competitive match-ups can be expected. Let's look at how the first round shapes up...


    The NBA's best Chicago Bulls take on possibly the least exciting team to make the cut: The Indiana Pacers. This series is going to be a wash, and it serves as a metaphor for the uneven landscape of the NBA's first round. Indiana has nowhere near enough talent to compete with the Bulls and I would be very surprised if they can even pull off a single win. The Bulls are a young team, and are getting their first taste of life in the Association's upper-echelon, but they are a team with the pieces to win now. Derrick Rose is the odds on favorite as the league MVP this year and has the goods to take this team on a deep run. Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah provide the powerful inside presence that is a must-have to do any real damage. Bulls in 4


    Many people (myself included) have a real hate on for the Miami Heat. For much of the year they had trouble jelling and sat around the middle of the playoff pack, making it hard to believe that they would be able to win right away like a lot of people predicted after the farce that was "The Decision". The Philadelphia 76ers will have a tough time making this series competitive, but their starless team-oriented approach could surprise a few people. Miami will play the way they have all year, coasting on talent for three quarters and turning it on late to frustratingly steal wins. Talent trumps substance. Heat in 5.


    Easily the highest profile match-up of the first round sees the suddenly mortal Boston Celtics taking on the inconsistent New York Knicks. The dumbfounding loss of Kendrick Perkins has left a gaping hole in the paint for the once powerful Celtics, and the team has spent the last month of the season trying to find an answer. Kristic and Green have not brought a lot to the table, and Boston is heavily relying on the so-old-he-can-barely-move-yet-somehow-still-manages-to-contribute Shaquille O'Neal. They are going to need The Big Shamrock as well as Jermaine O'Neal to lock down the inside game of Amar'e Stoudamire. The Knicks have enough talent to make this a series, especially if they're allowed to penetrate, but ultimately the Celtics are the better team. They may not seem to have the goods to go back to the final again, but one should never discount experience (plus Rondo is just better than Billups). Celtics in 6.


    The one series that may have the best chance of going to the wire is the 4-5 pairing of Orlando and Atlanta. Atlanta has been consistently improving year after year, with their young core growing into NBA adulthood together, whilst the Magic seem to be in a a bit of a decline. Orlando may have peaked two years ago when they lost in the finals, and one would have to think that sooner or later Atlanta is going to break out and go on a legitimate run. The biggest difference maker? Dwight Howard. He's the most dominant centre in the game and the Hawks are going to have a hard time handling him, especially if the Magic's outside shooters get hot. Orlando has been successful with the drive and kick in the past and it could be the dagger in this series. If Jason Collins and his sprained ankle can cause problems for D12 like he has all year then Atlanta may have a shot in this one, but I'm not willing to bet against Orlando just yet. Magic in 6.


    The Spurs are back on top of the western conference, and they've done it while dealing with intermittent injuries to some of their key players. That said, Memphis provides probably the second most lopsided opponent in these playoffs. Zach Randolph has had a beastly year, but it will not be enough to take out the mighty Spurs. The Grizzlies are out-matched at virtually every position on the floor, and should provide little resistance for San Antonio. Spurs in 5.


    The aforementioned "second most lopsided match up" is topped only by the Lakers versus the Hornets. This series is going to be a beat down. The only storyline providing any glimmer of hope for New Orleans is the fact that L.A. back-up point guard Steve Blake is fighting the chicken pox, while Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum (who is already out with another knee injury), and Kobe Bryant have never had chicken pox before. If it becomes a full blown epidemic for the purple and gold then the Hornets may be looking at a decent chance. Not likely though. Lakers in 4.


    The Dallas Mavericks seem to follow a similar script year after year: have a great season, usually with 50+ wins, only to fizzle out in the post season. There is not a whole lot to indicate that this year will be any different, no matter how easy a time they should have with the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers have finally started to see the fruits of their draft day labour start to pay off, and they're growing into a legit team in the west, but there is now way they've got what it takes to get past Disco Dirk and the Mavs. The ageless Jason Kidd continues to be one of the best point guards in the league, further fueling my theory that he is in fact a super-villain with a high-profile alter-ego. This one will be short and sweet. Mavs in 6.


    As it is in the east, the western 4-5 match-up also promises to be the most competitive. The Thunder-Nuggets series (which is just so much funny to say out loud) should be a lot of fun. Kevin Durant has continued to play MVP-calibre ball, and after fleecing the Celtics to acquire Kendrick Perkins the Thunder are no longer missing that interior presence keeping them from elite status. Denver on the other hand has had an incredible run since trading away Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, proving that addition by subtraction can sometimes be a valid formula for success. The Nuggets play an aggressive style, and their record is a testament to the motivational coaching abilities of George Karl. This one is going to be a lot of fun to watch, especially if Denver can steal a game in Oklahoma City early on. I still think the Thunder are going to make a lot of noise this year. Pun intended. Thunder in 6.


   In the Finals I'm going with the Lakers and Celtics, for the simple fact that the NBA is the most crooked, most fixed league in North America and another epic Boston - L.A. final would be very good for business. Lakers will take it in 7 games. You heard it here...well, not first, but you heard it here.

*Dunk-Off Underlines NBA Anti-Canadianism

Why don't they just call it "Dunk Idol", and have Steven Tyler and J-Lo decide the best dunks? The results of the NBA Slam Dunk competition more resemble America's favorite popularity contest than a legitimate judgement of slam dunk creativity. Blake Griffin was the media darling heading into the All-Star festivities, even before his best friend died and endeared him to fans everywhere. The NBA got the result they were looking for and Griffin walked away champion, even though his dunks really were nothing that special (a 360? really? no dunk that can be pulled off in a game should be in a dunk competition). 

Maybe I'm speaking out of Torontonian bias here, but Demar DeRozan's first dunk was arguably the best of the round, and was unfairly under-rated by a panel of judges who, like most of the NBA, likely don't see Toronto as a genuine basketball market. This underlines a larger problem around the league in the perception of Canada's only team. 

Tracy McGrady recently made comments about fans in Toronto "not even knowing what they're booing about", heating up the discussion about Toronto's attitude towards former players, and the NBA's attitude towards the Great Frozen North in general. Trust me Tracy, we know why we're booing you. It's the same reason we boo your cousin Vince, the same reason we boo Hedo, and Benedict Arnold-Bosh: You're all douche bags.

It isn't Toronto undervaluing or misunderstanding the politics of the sport of basketball, but the famed ignorance of the American public rearing it's ugly head in the form of spoiled basketball players not wanting to be cast-offs to the island of misfit toys known as the T-dot. There is a prevailing notion that we somehow are uneducated fans, or that we only know about hockey. We may know hockey in and out, and it may be the big ticket north of the border, but Torontonians are some of the most knowledgeable sports fans in North America.

The perceived indifference of fans stems from mismanaged teams that leave very little to cheer about, not from ignorance to the nuances of the game. If anything, that should be an indication of our sophistication, but these ego maniacal morons can't wrap their narrow minds around the concept of being wrong. Of having carried themselves in a less than classy fashion. Of having disrespected the franchise that made them millionaires, and the adoring fan base that made them stars in the first place.

If there is one thing that defines Toronto as a sports market, it's that we are suckers for our stars. We latch our hopes and dreams onto them and label them as "ours". When the revolving door spins around, as it always seems to do in this city, we can't help but feel betrayed because we held up our end of the bargain.

When DeRozan scored a 44 on his first dunk, the city of Toronto collectively shook it's head. That dunk was creative, original, and took an amazing amount of skill. The people he was beaten by pulled off dunks that mostly had been done before. There was nothing special about them, but the theatrics that were employed; the flag-bearers, the double net, the choir, were what won them points. Not dunking skill. Why is it that a hometown guy can't even get his due respect just because he's wearing that god awful word on the front of his jersey? Toronto.

The NBA obviously had an agenda with this event. In Blake Griffin they have a fresh new superstar to market. They have a solid gold story to play on with his friend having passed away only days before the competition (all due respect to the poor young man's family). And what better way to have a coming out party for the NBA's most exciting dunker than to hand over a gift-wrapped slam dunk championship? I have seen dozens of people dunk over cars, and actually over the car, not half-assing it over the hood, which Griffin really didn't need to do. He has the hops to have pulled the move off properly. Not only that, but McGee looked as if he wasn't even trying to win with his final dunk. It was certifiable SLACK.

DeRozan was screwed out of his due two years in a row, and likely won't have another chance to showcase his talents at the next All-Star weekend, and it really is a shame. He's got the skill and athleticism to be a legitimate star in this league, but never had a fair shake at showing it on one of the biggest stages.

The NBA's credibility as a league seems to dwindle yearly, with a crooked match-fixing ref, labour disputes on the horizon, and self-indulgent stars ganging up to set a dangerous precedent that will condemn the notion of parity for years to come. Unfortunately, we here in Toronto are regarded as idiots, quite possibly because we are the only market in the league that doesn't buy the NBA's bullshit.