NBA Regular Season & Playoffs From The Only Writer Who Knows The NBA

By now, I'm sure all of our readers know that I am the only writer on this fine blog that knows anything about the NBA. Because of this fact, I will take on the task to breakdown the fantastic, albeit long, NBA regular season; and predict, to the best of my abilities, the possible outcomes from what will be the greatest NBA playoffs since "The Jordan Years."

Regular Season

My predictions at the beginning of the NBA regular season proved to be completely wrong. Both the Heat and Lakers failed to break the Chicago Bulls 72 win season record. I failed to take into account the complacency factor for the Lakers, and I believed the Heat would gel far more quickly. That being said, the regular season was extremely entertaining. Here are some of the highlights from what I witnessed:

• The rejuvenation of the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs is truly remarkable. The Spurs fizzled out at the end, but their start to the season was record-breaking. They achieved their success without significant play from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, and their defensive prowess reminds me of their dynasty days. The Chicago Bulls' success surprised all of us. Everyone knew that the addition of Boozer and Korver would help this team, but to have the best record with the amount of early injuries they had is a testament to the season Derrick Rose had. Which leads me to.....


• Derrick Rose had himself an MVP season. He took the 8th team in the East to a 60-win season basically by himself. The Bulls star showed throughout the season he can get to the rim against every team, and his improved shooting skills trumped any defense the league put in front of him. He may not have a personality, but his talent and will is something to behold.


• For the first time in Kobe Bryant's career, I think he realizes the success of the Lakers flows through Gasol, Bynum, and Odom, not himself. He should be the runner-up MVP for the regular season. Watching Kobe spread the ball to his bigs through the triangle offense, is the epitome of offensive efficiency. The Lakers were complacent at times, but at their best, no team will be able to beat them.


• Blake Griffin's dunks thrilled and excited every person who watched the woeful Clippers. (who failed to make the playoffs......Charlie)


• This is the first time that I can remember where the NBA Trade Deadline wasn't about saving cash, but about obtaining premium talent. Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks makes New York a credible threat in the East for the next couple of years. Deron Williams to the Nets satisfies The Communists need for a star player.


• The importance of having a great point guard has surpassed the importance of having a great big man. We are in the Year of the Quarterback and the Year of the Point Guard. Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, and Russell Westbrook are coveted assets by their organizations.


• Dwight Howard had himself a great season, but he needs to get out of Orlando. If I were the coach of the Magic, I would take an entire regular season, and focus my entire offense through Dwight Howard. Right now, the Magic are 50% Howard, 50% three-pointers. If I were the coach, I would scrap a regular season to develop a complete Dwight Howard that would terrorize a league for multiple regular seasons. Keep feeding him the ball on every possession. He still hasn't reached his full potential, and I don't think he will reach that point in Orlando.


• Kevin Durant's high caliber season of 2009-2010, never transferred over to 2010-2011. Durant is an extremely good player. He is a terrific scorer who can get buckets from anywhere on the court. But, his game has an exploitable flaw that I have stated countless times. He does not look for teammates. For a player who has the ball as much as he does, his inability to spread the ball hinders the Thunder's offense. This fact will be the downfall of a promising season for the Thunder.


• And Finally............


• The Miami Heat failed to live up to my lofty expectations; however, I have never had so much fun watching an NBA team (see kicked down door). Wade and Lebron consistently carried Chris Bosh. Bosh was not ready for the start of the regular season. He wasn't ready for the intensity and hatred, and he wasn't ready for all the expectations. Wade and Lebron's friendship seems to be genuine, and their games actually compliment each other at times. Erik Spoelstra failed miserably at the beginning of the season. His offensive game plans were woeful, and he commanded no respect from his team. But, he prevailed. The success of the Heat stems from his ability to place Wade as the go-to-guy in the clutch, and use Lebron and Wade in pick-and-roll situations. The Miami Heat needed two more weeks of training camp, but I still consider their season a success.

The NBA regular season was a complete success. It captured and enthralled viewers. But, for as great as the regular season was, the playoffs will surpass expectations and astound anybody who watches.

NBA Playoffs

I have never been this excited for the NBA Playoffs to begin. Think about all the great matchups. Durant vs. Bryant. Lebron vs. Rose. Rondo vs. Wade. Howard vs. Entire East. I mean, Good Lord! Plus.......No Gus Johnson and ALL CHARLES BARKLEY BABY!!!!!

Here are some of my predictions for these immaculate NBA playoffs:

• 
  
  Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls had a great NBA regular season. I do not think this will translate over to a NBA Finals berth. The Bulls remind me too much of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the last 3 years (Best record, MVP, Role Players a plenty, Defensive Minded Head Coach, Probably Coach of the Year). Rose will constantly be double-teamed and triple-teamed and it will be up to the role players to carry this team. If Korver, Boozer, and Deng can make shots, the Bulls will ruin my prediction. But, those players couldn't do it in Utah, and I don't think they are ready to do it in the hostile East.'


• 
  
  The San Antonio Spurs won't make it to the Finals either. They are actually "too old." The Boston Celtics are old, but the Spurs are "too old." Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all-time, and I believe that this is his last relevant playoff run. It's unfortunate, but the passing of the torch needs to come sometime.


• 
  
  The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers are the only two teams in the West who I believe have a shot at making the finals. With the addition of Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder's lineup, the Thunder can now compete physically with the Lakers. The Lakers triangle offense and big man prowess will ultimately carry this team to the Finals. Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson want this title badly. Phil wants to go out on top, and I believe he will inspire Artest, Fisher, Brown, and Odom to step up like they did last season.


• 
  
  The Boston Celtics are the wild-card in these NBA playoffs. Before the Perkins trade, the Celtics were the easy choice for the Finals. Now, they seem like they will be lucky to get out of the first round. I believe the Celtics will pony up and make one more run, but their lack of skilled size in the middle will ultimately be their demise in the East. Sorry Bill Simmons, but your Celtics have no shot of winning an NBA title this year.


• 
  
  The New York Knicks don't play defense. You don't win championships without defense.


• 
  
  The Denver Nuggets' coach George Karl is the only challenger for Tom Thibodeau for Coach of the Year. Their success is totally out-of-left-field. They lose their two best players and then have one of the best records in the league since.


• 
  
  And Finally...........


• 
  
  The Miami Heat on the verge of being a dynasty. Lebron, Wade, and Bosh are playing well together. They have stifling defense at times. Their role players step up at times. They have experience, they have the pedigree, and I believe they will make the NBA Finals, and win their first championship together. I don't know if the Heat will struggle in the half court offense. I don't know if their role players can live up in the extreme pressure of the playoffs. I don't know if they can defend Derrick Rose. But, I do know that the will of the two superstars of Lebron and Wade will push this team harder than any team in recent memory. The Chicago Bulls succeeded because they feared Michael Jordan's retribution. The Miami Heat will succeed because Lebron and Wade won't let them fail.

Prediction: Heat vs. Lakers

Heat in 6 games!

Was It Really Just Luck?

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is having a wonderful season in the Windy City and he is the clear front-runner for the league's most valuable player award. But I've always wondered, were the Bulls just really lucky to get him or is there something more?

Back in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Chicago native was to be the cut and dried number overall selection and whichever team got him was going to be better almost immediately.

The Miami Heat went 15-67 in a 2007-2008 campaign in which Dwyane Wade was injured for the better part of the year and they featured guys like Chris Quinn and Mark Blount in their starting lineup on a nightly basis. For their efforts that season, the Heat were given a 25% chance of getting that number one pick.


Having said that, The Chicago Bulls had a 1.7% chance (ninth best that year) of getting that number one overall selection after they went 33-49 in '07-'08 and had fired head coach Scott Skiles, current Milwaukee Bucks head coach, mid-season. The firing came on Christmas Eve 2007 to be exact.

The Bulls have not had much luck in the draft or anywhere since the Michael Jordan era. They had gotten some high lottery picks in some fairly shabby draft classes. For example, in the 2000 NBA draft the Bulls had the #4 and the #8 picks and drafted Marcus Fizer and Jamal Crawford. Neither one of those guys start in the NBA right now and only the good Lord knows what Fizer is doing to make ends meet. Also, in 2002, they drafted former Duke standout Jay Williams and he ended his career before it really started after a motorcycle accident. If it weren't for his ESPN gig, what would he be doing?

All of those guys were outstanding college athletes, but haven't lived up to their potential in the NBA.

Then comes commissioner David Stern, far and away the most powerful man in the Association and therefore one of the most powerful men in America. He could see that the Bulls were wandering around with no direction like Moses leading the Children of Israel, and were in need of something to get that franchise and that market back on track. Chicago is either the third or fourth biggest city in America depending on who you talk to, and that means more dollars to an already flourishing NBA. Do you think it was purely dumb luck?

Stern makes a few phone and pulls a few strings and gets the Bulls the number one pick. With Rose being a Chicago native, he is inherently a fan-favorite. If you ask me, Stern has a history of some real fishy deals behind the scenes. Case and point is the move of the Sonics to Oklahoma City. That was basically a friend (Stern) doing another friend (Oklahoma City business man Clayton Bennett) a favor. Stern convinced the NBA owners that it would be good for the league to have a franchise in OKC, leaving the City of Seattle high and dry. Suspicious e-mails surfaced after the move that Bennett and Stern were two peas in a pod.

I am not taking anything away from Derrick Rose. The guy is obviously very, very talented and is absolutely deserving of the MVP this season. I have the utmost respect for Rose especially with the off-the-court issues surrounding him (see the infamous "gang-symbol photo" and the ACT scandal)and he still continues to play at a very high level while keeping his mouth shut.

I'm just always conjuring up these conspiracies and it wouldn't surprise me that a snake like David Stern would pull a stunt like that.

The Answer

For starters nowhere in the article did I say the Bulls were starting a Dynasty. I ended the article the way I did for this very reason, to stir things up.

Comparing this Bulls team to the Cleveland LeBron’s is preposterous!

Mike Brown a defensive-minded coach? I would call him more of a manager; we all know LeBron ran that organization more than owner Dan Gilbert himself.



Anthony Parker averaged 7 points 3 rebounds his first year in Cleveland, 8 points and 3 rebounds this season (without LeBron sucking in defenders). Luol Deng logs 40 minutes a game averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds. He may very well be the bulls best perimeter defender and offensively is a solid “second” option. Deng is our number two guy. Is he Wade, Garnett or Gasol? No, but he is most certainly not Anthony Parker.

Noah barely beating Hickson? When healthy Noah is one of the best post defenders in the league and an offensive rebound machine. What does J.J. Hickson do besides dunk?

Curse? Sure, we don’t have a “big three” or four All-Stars like the Heat or Celtics, but we have something neither of them presently have, chemistry. The Heat can’t rely on another player outside of the “big three” for consistent offensive production; while Boston is sticking it to Danny Ainge for trading Big Perk.

I’ll take guys like Asik, Bogans, Brewer, Gibson, Korver, Watson and Thomas contributing pieces to the puzzle every night over having the strain and stress of relying on three players. Noah and Boozer have missed a combined 54 games; did the Bulls lose a beat? No, because they are a collective team that fits into and fills individual rolls.

I’m not saying the Bulls are going to win the NBA title this year or even that Derrick Rose is the best player. All I’m saying is if I’m going to start a franchise from scratch Rose would be my guy for every reason outside of skill and athleticism.

I’m sorry LeBron couldn’t get it done in Cleveland (but not really).

Keep posting things like this. It will only motivate the hungry Rose to higher feats.

Jordan T.

Response: Every Rose has its Thorn

Because our fearless leader Charlie Tritschler feared that I would delete his wonderful blog (3 more days to free-write friday), I cannot start a debate on his post. So, I may as well start one right here.

Let me start out by stating that Derrick Rose is this year's MVP. He is the best player on the best team in the East. He ranks in the top ten in two of the major statistical categories. His Bulls beat the Heat three times this year, and they are the hottest team in the league at this moment. Rose is the MVP.

I watched Rose lead the Bulls past the Milwaukee Bucks from the comfort box seats at the Bradley Center. Rose's cross on Jennings left me speechless.

But....... A Dynasty?

Let me stop you right there. I'm sorry to Jordan and Michael Fant, but the Bulls are going nowhere near the championship this year.

They are the Cleveland Cavaliers of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 season. They are riding the wave of the regular season, following their MVP star and defensive-minded coach to a second or third round knockdown. The Chicago Bulls are faced with the same curse that the Cleveland Cavaliers faced for the last 5 seasons. They do not have the #2 scorer/defender that a team in the East needs to win a championship. Carlos Boozer is an excellent player; however, as shown with the Utah Jazz, he and a stellar point guard won't bring the Finals back to Chicago.

Luol Deng is Parker, Noah bests Hickson (but barely), Korver is the combination of Pavlovic, Gibson, and Szczerbiak. Lebron's talents were only good enough to bring the Cavs to a sweep at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. I do not foresee Rose bringing the Bulls past the Celtics, Magic, or Heat; let alone the Lakers, Spurs, Thunder, or Mavericks.

Derrick Rose is a truly amazing, one-of-a-kind athlete. However, I just see too many similarities between these Chicago Bulls and my beloved Cleveland Cavaliers of old.

There are two things that I can absolutely guarantee. These NBA playoffs will be something of folklore. The matchups in the divisional, conference, and final rounds will be the best we have seen in a long time.

The other guarantee is that Derrick Rose is the MVP. But, the MVP does not mean he is the best player in the league, and it does not mean the Bulls will even get to the Finals, let alone start another dynasty.

Look at the picture above. This is what Derrick Rose will experience when he steps on to the court in the playoffs. You can't win 1 on 4, no matter if you are the MVP.

-Charlie.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

After recently attending the Bulls home away from home game in Milwaukee on Saturday night it became evident to why Derrick Rose will be named the league’s most valuable player.

In a sport that plays an 82-game schedule one game is not going to make you MVP, but if you need one performance that certifies such a decision this may very well be the game. The Bucks and Bulls were both playing their second game in as many days so it was to no surprise to see both squads come out lethargic.

Rose took the “pass first” approach in the early going looking to get other teammates involved; especially Noah and Boozer. But, by the end of the first half it became evident if the Bulls were going to pull away a D-Rose surge would be required.

Bucks forward Carlos Delfino helped stifle a Chicago run as he connected on 5 of 7 from downtown. A former Bull, John Salmons, also contributed 25 points to the Bucks effort.

The Bulls needed Rose to take control of the game and that’s exactly what he did. Rose scored 8 points and assisted on two baskets in the game’s final three minutes. That brought Rose’s stat line to 30 points and 17 assists for the contest (only the 3rd Bull to do so, first since MJ 89’). He surged the Bulls to a 12-0 run to end the game; and the hopes of a Bucks victory.

I’m not willing to say Derrick Rose is the NBA’s best player, but find me a player more deserving of the MVP? It simply can’t be done. Rose is averaging 25 points and 8 assists per (the only player in the top ten in both categories); however the category that brings him above the rest has no stat, drive.

Michael Jordan was a freak athlete sure, but what made him the best was his drive and determination. He had the drive to win at everything from monopoly to NBA titles; along with the determination to put the work in to reach such feats. Rose has also displayed these traits. Evolving his game from an athlete into a complete player in just a few short years and has gained the label of “gym rat”.

Hearing “MVP” chanted Saturday as much as “Jerry” during the Jerry Springer show became both redundant and annoying at times. This made me ponder, what does Rose think of the chants? When asked about his accomplishments after the game he responded, “I haven’t done $#!@!” Sounds like a player determined and driven to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this June. What do you think LeBron would have said?

Maybe Bret Michaels was wrong, every “rose” doesn’t have a thorn? But every Dynasty has a MVP.

Thunder & Blazers Both Open With Win

My New Job

I was just on Basketbawful's job board when I saw this posting for models at Derrick Rose's birthday party. I'm a pretty big fan of Derrick Rose, and modeling, and just the whole club scene in general, so I think I'm going to apply.

Something my teachers taught me back at Barbizon Modeling School is that peer review is a great tool. With that in mind, it would be cool if y'all could review my application.

Requirements:

*Must Be 21yrs Old

Check.

*You must enjoy going to Clubs

Super check.

*Must be able to attend & Host Weekly Events

Okay.

*Must be able to Socialize and Network with new people

Of course.

*Must be very energetic and outgoing

Maybe not.

* Must be stylish/Attractive/presentable

Proof.

*Must have a Electronic presence (Facebook, Myspace, Emails, etc)

Obviously.

*Must have transportation

You bet.

I really hope I get this gig, since I love going out so much. All in all, I think I put together a really strong portfolio. What do you think?

Bulls' Derrick Rose Standout NBA Player

Derrick Rose has been praised as a standout NBA player. Rose's jersey is among the top ten sold in the 2008-09 season. Shortly after his freshman year ended, Derrick Rose declared for the 2008 NBA Draft and was selected first overall by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls.

The Entirety of My NBA Holiday Gift Guide

For Derrick Rose:

The Annotated Derrick Rose Timeline

Since it's now December, and Christmas is fast approaching, I feel it's prudent to examine the origins of Chicago's basketball savior, Derrick Rose. Below is a timeline, along with some important information with regards to the dates that are shown. Study this, for it will be important for years to come.

• October 4th, 1988 - Derrick Rose is born in Chicago of Illinois, in the days of Sawyer the mayor. His unwed mother, Brenda, was foretold of the birth and was instructed to name the boy "Derrick."
• 1988-2005 - Little is known about the childhood and adolescent years of Derrick Rose. However, it is common knowledge that during this time, Rose was given his nickname "Pooh" by his grandmother. Furthermore, in 2006 and 2007, Rose lead Simeon High School to consecutive Illinois high school championships, becoming a hero in the city.
• November 5, 2007 - Rose scores 17 points in his collegiate debut, a win over the University of Tennessee-Martin. This seemingly innocuous event would portend the success that Rose would soon enjoy, as he lead the Tigers over number 5 Georgetown University a little over a month later.
• April 7, 2008 - After an outstanding performance in the NCAA tournament, Rose's Memphis Tigers lose in the National Championship game to the Jayhawks of Kansas. Though spectacular in the loss, Rose is seen as a microcosm of the Tigers' faults as he misses freethrows down the stretch. However, as Rose is not wholly to blame for the loss, he is seen as a beacon of hope for basketball fans around the globe.
• June 23, 2008 - The Chicago Bulls leapfrog eight spots to the number one overall selection in the draft, positioning themselves to select Derrick Rose. Rose's return to Chicago serves as his anointing to angry basketball fans of the city. Upon arriving at the Bulls training facility, the entire contents of an alabastron are emptied upon his head, nearly ruining the contract that he has just signed.
• October 28, 2008 - Rose plays in his first game as a Chicago Bull, forgiving the many sins of the team (Eddie Robinson, Ben Wallace, Tim Floyd). Soon after this historic event, the lame are healed, blind men see, and lepers such as Grant Hill become perfectly healthy.

This post shall serve as a historical document; one that will forever tell the story of how Derrick Rose became a symbol for hope and goodness in the city of Chicago. While heretics will persecute the believers, let it be known that Derrick Rose is real and that he is the way. No man can be perfect, but through faith in Derrick Rose, we can strive to be.

Derrick Rose

Shirts in progress...

UPDATE: Derrick Rose shirts available in THE BLOWTORCH SHOP. There's going to be an accompanying shirt for every first-rounder. Buy them all.

Derrick Rose Wears a T-Shirt

I was chatting with Skeets yesterday when he casually dropped a bombshell:

Rose has done nada.
And more alarmingly -- he's playing in an undershirt.
Who does he think he is? Me!?!?!

Clearly this is cause for concern.

Only in summer leagues are players allowed to wear a full-sleeved t-shirt under their jerseys. Yeah, you’ll see quite a few Under Armor types of base layers during the regular season, but they’re otherwise forbidden. This is right and just. Full sleeves should be left to college guys and rec leagues.

As a devotee to the triviality of on-court style, I will not budge on this. You’re in the NBA, look like a basketball player and not some hopper on The Wire.

However, I suppose there may be some decent reasons for wearing an undershirt. Being fair, I’ve provided a few of those reasons:

- Shoulders were removed following a tragic half-pipe bicycle accident.
- You have shoulders, but you’re thin, man. Real thin.
- Increased resistance results in more speed when the shirt is removed.
- Grotesque burns on upper arms.
- Embarrassing tattoo of the lyrics to LFO’s hit “Summer Girls.”
- Typical men’s league jersey has extremely wide neck which causes the jersey to slip off your shoulders.
- To hide an abysmally small frame.
- To prevent chafing.
- You were the fat kid in grade school and have always worn a t-shirt during athletic activities, especially swimming.
- To protect other players from your small, dagger-like nipples.
- Obscene amounts of chest hair.
- You went to college with me, and also thought it was hilarious to have a guy on your NCAA March Madness 2005 team called "The Shirt."
- Played for a handful of Illinois high schools which have jerseys with sleeves and are therefore more comfortable in sleeves.
- Effectively hides the joints from your robotic arm implants.
- Rebellion against the tyranny of the NBA dress code.
- You’re my fiancée and you get cold easily, even when it isn’t actually cold. For instance, at a Borders.
- Suffer from night terrors where you show up to important events naked, therefore the more clothes, the better.
- You’re a never-nude and always wear a t-shirt..
- Have always dreamt of having wings.
- You’re J.E. Skeets.

Though I’m pretty sure I covered every possible scenario where a sleeved t-shirt is acceptable in the NBA, feel free to add some more in the comments.

Gracias, Matt y Skeets.