Halftime Hype

"The Road to History starts now!" LeBron James tweeted after arriving in the Sunshine State. Ever since 2008, NBA fans everywhere pondered where James would be after his contract expired. Would he stay with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers? Or would he explore his options and play outside of Ohio? In the end, his choice to play for the Miami Heat, will forever be remembered as the most publicized free agent spectacle in NBA history.

In reality, the Road to History began weeks ago. In the process of selecting his next destination, James demonstrated his control over the media and impacted the league for years to come. "The Decision" and all the hype surrounding it will not be paralleled for several generations.

When ESPN announced its one hour special, "The Decision," devoted to King James and his big announcement, many questioned the purpose of it. First and foremost, what was the need for an excessive hour long conference? Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy put it best when he said, "It takes 15 seconds to say I’ve decided."

Was it seriously necessary to hear James answer fifteen questions before he dropped the bombshell? The suspense was at an overwhelming pinnacle when millions tuned in at 9 P.M. Eastern Time. The 30 minute delay was extremely frustrating.

Also, there's concern over the ethics. James hand-picked his interviewers, Jim Gray and Mike Wilbon. Did ESPN cross the line by allowing James to have total control? Then again, he utilized his power for a good cause by donating commercial proceeds during the one hour special to charity.

However, by securing the slot on ESPN and having his every demand met, James showed everyone just how much power he has over the media. They are willing to bend over backwards to meet the King's requests. Mr. James, you want one hour of national coverage and the millions of dollars in ad revenue during those sixty minutes? No problem.

The big picture question is: Was it appropriate for James to reveal his decision on national television? After all, this past week, Kevin Durant, a top three or four player in the association, simply disclosed the details of his contract extension via Twitter. No press conference was necessary.

Perhaps the more important issue is whether the medium of his announcement was the proper way to bow out of his native city. The outrage over his decision would have certainly been less if he didn't embarrass the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and fans on national T.V.

In general, outside of ratings, "The Decision" special was not a success. Honestly, James and Gray came out flat. It seemed like James didn't even want to be there, funny since his side arranged for the special. I understand that there's a lot of pressure on the man, but c'mon, the least you can do is smile here and there. What's more, rather than being engulfed in a captivating atmosphere, the interview was conducted in a "libary-like setting," as ESPN Around the Horn panelist Woody Paige described it.

One can't understate the emotions in Cleveland right now. When fans are burning jerseys, that's pretty extreme. What's more, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert really raised eyebrows with his extremely bold open letter to Cavaliers fans. Among Gilbert's comments included references to James as "narcissistic," the King's decision as "cowardly betrayal," asserting that James possesses a curse, and going so far as to say: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before self-titled former 'king' wins one."



One can understand where Gilbert is coming from, but he clearly chose an ill-advised way to articulate his passion. Psychologically, what Gilbert is doing makes sense. He is identifying a scapegoat in order to tame the disappointment and anger in Cleveland.

In brief, James let his hometown fans down. That's the way they feel in Ohio. The player didn't even bother to notify the Cavaliers of his departure until one of his representatives contacted the organization at approximately 9:01 P.M. ET, minutes before James revealed his decision to the world. The short notice leaves Cleveland without the chance to pursue any other big name free agents, as most have been signed in "preemptive strikes" by teams, as named by ESPN's J.A. Adande.

Regardless, such disparaging remarks about a franchise player will surely make free agents hesitate to play for an owner like Gilbert. Personally, I would be extremely impressed if Gilbert delivers on his promise and the Cavs win a title before James.

Beyond all the hype are the implications on the NBA itself. The Miami Heat are now a super team, the circus act that everyone will want to watch on the road. The expectations are nothing short of a championship, according to the latest Vegas odds, the Heat being the favorite to win it all.

Nevertheless, there are still many other circumstances to think about. As of now, the Heat don't even have an entire starting five under contract. Plus, who's to say that none of the triumvirate will be injury-free? Will issues arise among young, confident players and an equally youthful coach? Or, if Pat Riley decides to sit on the sidelines, will ego issues present themselves? There's the possibility that James, Wade, or Bosh won't see eye to eye with Riley, take it to the media, and Riley refuting with "I've won championships. Where are your rings?" Who knows, maybe the trio will engage in star wars among themselves or argue with the role players. In case anyone forgot, there is only one basketball to go around.



The new Miami Heat should send some goosebumps throughout the Eastern Conference, but not all the Eastern teams need be frightened. The Celtics, a team which has appeared in two out of the last three finals, will have the same nucleus and head coach that got them to within four points of a Game 7 championship victory on the road. The Orlando Magic have a formidable roster, themselves. Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks are a team to be reckoned with. When adding Carlos Boozer to a Chicago Bulls squad that already has Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah makes for a dangerous combination.

At the end of the day, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat. As two-time defending champions, the Lakers aren't worried at all about the recent transactions in the East.

Is James' decision to join Wade and Bosh good for the league? At first glance, no. Half the teams in the league will only see the super-team once in their local arena, and with the purchase of hefty ticket charges at that. The balance of power is completely off. The three fan bases of Toronto, Cleveland, and Miami have now been condensed into a smaller knit Heat nation.

Think again, though. From training camp until March, having three superstars on one team doesn't appear to be good for business. Come April, though, when the playoffs begin and tens of millions tune in, that's when the real money is made. If there's another matchup that can remotely compete with a seven game series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, with loads of hype and profit, it would have to be a Lakers team with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest versus a Miami Heat squad featuring Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade - and the likely possibility of a sideline battle between Phil Jackson and Pat Riley.

Overall, there were many components to "The Decision." LeBron James demonstrated how tight of a grasp he has on the media and how influential his moves are.

Decades from now, records will show that Lebron James was the Most Valuable Player two years in a row. They will also show that those awards were won during his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the records will also show that Lebron James did not win any championships in Cleveland. Whether you were in the Cavs' front office, Head Coach Mike Brown, a fan, or one of LBJ's teammates, you not only expected better, but deserved more. As the records in the media will prove, somewhere in the mix, Lebron lacked proper prioritization between basketball and business. In the process of contemplating his future, Lebron lost track of the immediate present.

The 2010 Los Angeles Lakers. The defending champions. The team that just went 2-3 on a road trip, losing by double digits to Atlanta & Oklahoma City and tanking against New Orleans. Suddenly, things aren't going so well in Lakerdom. Cleveland, on the other hand, is feeling a whole lot better...

There's no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers are the most talented team, at least on paper. Save Derek Fisher, all the starters make for a tough matchup on both ends of the court. The Lakers couldn't ask for a more versatile sixth man than Lamar Odom (though, they could ask for a more consistent one). So why have the Lakers been playing like the Clippers lately?

First of all, there's the conventional excuse: fatigue. After 70 NBA games and countless practices & workouts in between, you can imagine these guys are worn out. The more relevant reason, though, is that they are now firmly out of reach of both the Cavs and rest of West. Right now, they could care less about losing games here and there, or as Kobe described it, "lollygagging".

That's not to say the losses don't affect them. Frustration mounts (see Kobe's face and Sasha Vujacic v. Coaching staff). And confidence rises - for the opposing team(s). The Lakers' three potential 1st round matchups relish times like this. Oklahoma City is still smiling at its score vs. the Lake Show. Portland, already notorious for prevailing vs. the Lakers at the Garden, must be extremely giddy after the Lakers' recent road trip. And San Antonio now has a little hope. Oh, and every other team in the hunt, to one degree or another, now believes they have a shot versus L.A. When you're playing bad, one of the worst things you can do is help the other team play better. Remember that, Lakers.

However, the playoffs and regular season are totally different beasts. For some, the playoffs are a destination. For the Lakers, they're supposed to be part of the journey. More than anyone else in the league, unquestionably more so than Lebron James, Kobe Bryant wants to reach the destination - scratch that, SUCCEED in his destination. Make no mistake, KB will go to great lengths to win an NBA championship - and he will demand the same from his team. The Lakers may have a roadbump or two, but there's no question they'll emerge as the Western Conference champions. I guess you could argue that this isn't a convenient way to enter the playoffs, performing sub-.500 on a road trip. But, then again, expect the Lakers to step up.

It's all a matter of beating the Cavs. Despite the fact that the Cavs aren't exactly a guarentee (who remembers Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals last year?), their chances of making it to the NBA Finals are just as high as the Lakers, if not higher. Assuming the Finals are between the Lakers and Cavaliers, without fully acknowledging the "step-up in the playoffs" factor, the Cavs have the edge. And it's simply because the Lakers can't perform away from Staples.

The Show must go on - now it's a matter of stepping up.

Having five NBA games on Christmas Day was definietly an interesting experiment for the league. At first, it makes some sense. The NBA was trying to reach a wider demographic, so by scheduling more games, 10 teams - not the typical 4 - were involved. Therefore, it's logical to assume more fans would watch the games or come to the arenas to support their team. However, critics had voiced their opinions. Commentator Jeff Van Gundy believed the games weren't as special, sacrificing quality for quantity.

I, for one, wasn't sure what to make of it. Often times, for some reason or another, nationally-televised games are close. That certainly wasn't the case yesterday. The average margin of defeat, seperating the winners from the losers, was 14.4 points. The majority of games were lost by double digits, excluding the Magic's 9-point loss to the Celtics. If they had been closer, there would be reason to believe that the 5-game lineup could be considered a success.



Ironically, the closest game was probably one of the lesser viewed nationally, between Miami and New York. Unless you were a dedicated fan on the West Coast, you probably didn't tune in to watch the Heat play against the Knicks at 9 AM. Understandably, though, this game didn't really concern anybody on the West Coast, and as long as people on the East Coast were watching at noon, all was well. Gallinari continues to prove he's more than a three-point threat, successful on all his seven free-throw attempts and collecting 8 rebounds. As commentator Marv Albert used to say, the "high man" for the Knicks had to be David Lee with 19 points (9-14 shooting) and 16 boards. The Knicks, much like the Magic, however, had a difficult time from the perimeter, successful on only 5 of 28 threes (17.9%). It also didn't help that Al Harrington, who played 32 minutes, went 5-for-20. For the Heat, the storyline was, as usual, dominated by D-Wade (30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) with a touch of Beasley (19 points on 7-for-16 shooting) and Jermaine O'Neal (11 points, 8rebounds).

The Celtics-Magic game was arguably the matchup of the day, considering that the Cavs blew out the Lakers in a sleeper. It was genuinely exciting to watch the two best teams in the Eastern Conference battle it out, as the Celtics pulled off a road win. Credit to Boston, for prevailing in the wake of Paul Pierce's surgery. Rajon Rondo had an amazing performance, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists - the only lowlight was his 8 turnovers (giving him a 1:1 assist/turnover ratio for the game). Despite Vince Carter's 27 points on 10-20 shooting and 4 steals, I had expected the Magic to win handily and exploit Pierce's absence. On the plus side for the Magic, they did convert on 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts (83.3.%), which means they did capitalize in that sense. On the contrary, I'm surprised the phrase "Hack-a-Rondo" hasn't been coined yet, as he really needs to work on his foul shots. What really seemed to kill the Magic was a tendency to settle behind the arc, hitting only 5 of their 26 three-point attempts (19.2%).



The much-hyped matchup with the Cavaliers facing the Lakers in Los Angeles ended badly - especially for the Lakers. With 4:04 remaining, and the Lakers trailing by about 20 points, Odom was ejected after receiving his second technical, Phil Jackson picked up a T after he neglected to insert a sub, and fans hurled foam fingers followed by a water bottle or two. It was just that kind of day for L.A. Kobe had a rare off-night, shooting 11-for-32 (34.4%), despite hitting all 12 of his free throws with a broken finger. Well, he wasn't totally off with 9 rebounds and 8 assists, which compensated for the play of...Derek Fisher, who finished with 0 assists, acted out of line with a technical foul and foul out of frustration against Mo Williams, followed by some jawing with Lebron James. Bynum and Gasol scored a combined total of 15 points, and according to Kobe, were simply "outworked." Artest fouled out with several minutes to go.

On the other hand, if you were a Cavs fan, you probably relished every moment of it, with contribution from Shaq (11 points, 7 rebounds), Lebron (26 points, 9 rebounds, 4assists), and most surprising, Mo Williams (28 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds). You have to be happy with your reserves, who outscored L.A.'s reserves 31-17. Overall, just a frustrating Christmas for the Lakers and their fans, with the complete opposite holding true for the Cavaliers and their fans.

The Clippers @ Phoenix game wasn't much better, especially for Angelenos, who had to endure yet another embarassing defeat on Christmas Day. Premier center, Marcus Camby, had to leave the game early with an injury and Eric Gordon could not hit a shot, going just 4-for-15. The Clippers' reserves, similar to those of the Lakers, didn't fare much better, only making 12-of-37 (32.4%). The highlights for L.A. were Kaman's 19 points and 10 boards, along with Rasual Butler's 22 points and 7 rebounds, both players increasingly becoming more relevant for the C's. For the Suns, seven players scored at least 12 or more points, showing that their bench deserves its due credit. Statistically for Phoenix, the notable players were Amare (26 points, 9 rebounds), J Rich (18 points, 8 rebounds), and of course, even at 35 years of age, Steve Nash (14 points, 8 assists). Off the bench, Admunson also managed to grab 10 boards. The story of the night, though, belonged to Grant Hill, who banked a three with three quarters of the court seperating him from the basket at the buzzer before halftime. The Clippers, who were almost at .500, now have an uphill battle ahead of them, with a record of (12-17).



Lastly, the Portland Trailblazers rode Brandon Roy's 41 points all the way to a 107-96 victory over the Nuggets. Despite 32 points and 9 rebounds by Carmelo and an impressive 12 points and 14 rebounds by K-Mart, Andre Miller's 14 rebounds and 8 assists, along with other contributions, allowed him to prevail over his former team. It was fair game until the fourth quarter, where Steve Blake drained five 3's in the last four minutes. Though the Nuggets could have used more contributions from their bench, reserve J.R. Smith mustered 20 points, although he it took 23 field-goal attempts to get there. Not to be forgotten are Birdman's 5 blocks, proving yet again that swatting the ball may, indeed, be the only thing he's good for.

At the end of the day, I, as I'm sure many of you all, was tired. Five games was simply too much, even though I didn't watch them all. Three games is acceptable, but anything more is pushing things a little too far. I couldn't watch SportsCenter, as ESPN once again decided it had nothing else to do than glorify Lebron James and nothing else and I didn't find much consolation in the rather odd Saturday Night Live Christmas Bash that I had been looking forward to. Anyway, lesson learned - hopefully.

As a Jew growing up in America, the holiday season is very different from everybody else. Besides the stark contrasts in the holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, Americans glorify a mascot commonly referred to as Santa Claus, while the closest resemblance in Judaism consists of Judah Maccabi (excuse me if I mispelled his name). Being Jewish has enabled myself, along with many others, to profit from such things as Christmas sales, Christmas music (many songs of which were composed by Jews), and quite possibly the grandest treat of all, Christmas day NBA matchups.

They seem to have an unprecedented aura to them. For the last several years, every Christmas, I've closely watched my beloved Lakers and their respective opponent battle it out, at a time when the players and coaches would much rather relax with their families. I truly noticed the intensity of these games when the Lakers played against the Miami Heat in '04. The sheer animosity between Shaq and Kobe was just so entertaining. During the previous week, Shaq had compared himself to a brick wall and Kobe declared that he would be a Lamborghini - speeding past the proverbial brick wall. It was just great - until Shaq and Kobe became friends again on an MLK Day match-up.

Anyway, just last December the Lakers took on the Boston Celtics in another epic clash. Still relishing their championship victory, the C's were riding on a strong winning streak as they rolled with their heads hung high into Staples Center. Having given up a 24-point lead in the NBA Finals mere months prior, as well as the series, the Lakers were ready for revenge. It was the ultimate storyline. As well all remember, the Lakers won. But, at the end of the day, the atmosphere in the arena made it seem like a trophy was at stake.

Typically, in the past there have been a couple of Christmas day games. Tomorrow, however, there are a seemingly unparalleled total of five games, each with their own unique plotline. At noon ET, the games kick off with the Miami Heats at Madison Square Garden against the gradually improving New York Knicks. These teams don't have any agressive history other than a nasty Knicks loss during the season opener. The highlights of this game should mainly consist of D-Wade's presence and the Knicks wearing green jerseys.



Next, Boston faces off against the Magic in Orlando, featuring two Eastern contenders. If the Lakers vs. Cavs game headlines the Christmas festivities, this game comes in a close second. I'm looking forward to seeing the battle of the bigs with KG vs. Superman. Interestingly enough, Boston has a 12-1 road record, while the Magic are 12-2 at home. The main catalyst will be Paul Pierce's absence, which should allow Vince Carter to have a game-changing presence. A side-show to observe in this game would be Rondo vs. Jameer Nelson, one rising player against an All-Star guard.

Then, the game we've all been waiting for, the Cleveland Cavaliers playing against the Los Angeles Lakers - in L.A. Shaq eyeing Phil Jackson. Shaq vs. Kobe. Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum vs. Shaq, and most noteworthy of all, Lebron James vs. Kobe Bryant. Some fans may recall the confrontation Shaq and Andrew Bynum had. Well, now I'd like to see how the big men clash, whether it be Gasol or Bynum against the Big Diesel. This game is even more exciting than the Miami-Lakers games of the past, as before it was limited to Shaq vs. Kobe, now it's Shaq against Kobe and Kobe vs. LBJ. Granted, this game won't be an indicator of who's better between LBJ and KB, but it will intensify the debate.

Following the game of the decade, the Clippers are hoping Angelenos still have enough left in them to root for the Clippers as they journey to Phoenix to take on the Suns. Coincidentally, the Brazillian Blur, Leandro Barbosa, is expected to play his first minutes since November. This may be the most under-publicized match-up of the day. Baron Davis vs. Steve Nash and Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby vs. Amare Stoudemire. Baron is no longer the spectacle he was in Golden State and Steve Nash may not be as exciting as he used to be, but these are still two of the league's best point guards going at it. For those who haven't followed him, Chris Kaman is proving himself to be a legit post threat and Marcus Camby is still the dauting rebounder and shotblocker of years' past. Nevertheless, Amare Stoudemire has only improved his game since the run-and-gun days, and with well-seasoned post moves, it would be reasonable to assume that whoever has the most points in the paint will ultimately win this game.

The day concludes with the Denver Nuggets looking for a win in Portland against the Trailblazers. This game really doesn't make much sense to me, in terms of fan appeal, except for Andre Miller playing against his old team(mates). Other than that, I would analyze Brandon Roy vs. Billups and Aldridge vs. Nene. Chauncey has done an amazing job in his tenure for Denver so far, but so has Roy. Both can score and get assists. Tomorrow, they will probably be forced into some one-on-one situations and that their decisions will surely affect the outcome of the game. Also, the young Aldridge will have to manage against a big, well-experienced, and probably stronger Nene in a fight for rebounds. I take back what I said; this may turn out to be a good matchup after all.

Generally, the NBA always delivers some form of Christmas entertainment or another. And as you're unwrapping presents or feasting or watching the Saturday Night Live Christmas Bash, like myself, don't forget to watch the NBA's gifts to you.

In medieval times, Shaquille O'Neal would have undoubtedly been the court jester. Always joking around and having good time, his grin has become a trademark of the NBA. Although, after so many years of professional experience, it's time that the veteran starts acting professional - and by acting, I mean in his day to day behavior, not on his new reality show. The Cleveland Cavaliers signed him this offseason to ensure that the team could get over the hump, reach the Finals, and win once they get to the promised land. The Big Aristotle is supposed to be the missing piece in the puzzle; the Cavs lacked a legitimate post presence (sorry, Big Z) and now they got one. However, the so-called "Big Witness (Protection)" is now turning into a larger-than-life distraction.

The front office is expecting him to sell tickets. Lebron is expecting him to dominate. His teammates look up to him - in most cases, literally. Yet, Shaq still isn't getting the message. He still believes that he is the world's divine entertainer and that he must extend himself outside of what he does best, referring to basketball, of course. There was an awful lot of optimism when O'Neal came to Cleveland. Suddenly, the Lakers had competition and the Cavs team was no longer limited to a single solo act. How much effort is Shaq really putting in, though? Is he working at all?

What's with the reality show, Shaq? For the record, this isn't the first time the man is engaging in a reality series. Nonetheless, in 2007, I actually admired him for helping overweight children lose weight in the ABC series, Shaq's Big Challenge. I remember quite well when Shaq would talk about the sacrifices he had to make everyday (i.e. no more mayo, etc.), and how the little additives can really hurt. Even if the big guy doesn't appear to be the most physically fit player, I applaud him for taking time to keep our youth healthier - in a non-hostile way, mind you. Indirectly, he also showed that he cares about his weight and in the end, sent a good message to viewers. If you must participate in another series, at least make it a meaningful one.

Instead of his devoting his time to a good cause, though, The Man of Steel is compromising quality time to work on his game for a pointless show. For those who aren't fully informed, he's going out of his way in an attempt to prove he can play another sport better than that sports' superstar (i.e. in football he is "vs. Ben Roethlisberger"). One reason why this may turn out to be particularly damaging, is because, unless scripted, each episode should, indeed, result in a loss for the Cavs' center. What's the point of embarrassing yourself? Why waste so much precious offseason time on this show when you could be bonding with teammates or practicing free throws?

Don't get me wrong. Just like many, I will be watching the show and at times, laughing. In fact, as a Lakers fan, I confess that I totally approve of this reality show; it gives my Lakers a better shot at another title. But the analyst side of me knows that this can't be good for Cleveland, and was a dumb decision on the part of Shaq. The world can tolerate your somewhat humorous Twitter addiction. On the other hand, you're only hurting yourself, your teammates, and Cavaliers fans with this reality show. Hopefully, it doesn't impact your season too much. If it does, you've just done an enormous favor for 29 teams in the NBA.

Now that many of the big names of the free agency have been signed and dealt to their respective teams, I think it's appropriate to predict championship contenders for the upcoming NBA season.

Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers - The defending champs look like they can easily win another title. Despite the fact that they lost Ariza to Houston, they managed to make what may turn out to be a better deal with the acquisition of defensive beast, Ron Artest. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this move undoubtedly should silence those who criticize the Lakers for being "softies." As I've already noted in a previous post, it's hard to have a missing piece in the puzzle when you're on top, but apparently, there is always room for improvement. The Lakers improved. Plus, Lamar Odom is still in town. By keeping Odom, they have the rights to his versatility and possess one of the best sixth men in the entire league.

At point guard, the Lake Show retains the high IQ of Derek Fisher, a phenomenal presence on and off the court and especially in the locker room. Furthermore, if you haven't already noticed, Gasol has gotten stronger and his attitude has changed dramatically - for the better - since the Lakers were defeated only a couple of years ago by the Celtics. The All-Star is a great teammate and makes for a productive post presence; we've seen the ball thrown to him down low numerous times and see him convert on the majority of his possessions. The main weakness on the team may, indeed, be Andrew Bynum who has yet to develop but remains full of wonderful possibilities. If the Lakers are able to capitalize on his potential, they could have themselves a very special season.



Ultimately, though, the Lakers still have the two cornerstones of their franchise: Head Coach Phil Jackson and superstar Kobe Bryant. Phil expressed in early July that he will be back and even though he may share head coaching duties with defensive-minded assistant coach, Kurt Rambis, he is on the payroll and will be back for one more season with the Lake Show. And any team with Kobe is almost always a competitor in the NBA. Even after thirteen seasons of professional play, he's still committed to winning and is competitive drive is as strong as ever. This year we really saw him balance his scoring well and trust his teammates much more. That will only continue. If injuries don't hurt this team too badly, they are definitely a solid lock for the NBA Finals and the odds are that the Lakers will bring home the gold for the second consecutive season.

Denver Nuggets - Not to be redundant, but considering the fact that the Nuggets really haven't lost any talent over the summer, their contention should be taken seriously. Even after trading away Allen Iverson and receiving Chauncey Billups, I don't know how many people would've foreseen Denver almost pushing the Lakers to the brink in the Western Conference Finals. Nonetheless, we saw Melo mature, a phase that we should see Lebron go through this year, and accept the fact that in order to win, he'd need to listen to the new leader on the team.

The point of consistency on this team, for the time being, is Billups. If he can continue to hold this team together, victories should pile up. What Denver should wake up and realize is that by trading for Billups they might have gotten a marginally better point guard than Iverson, but they dropped an ego. Unfortunately, Carmelo Anthony can be a bit of a lunatic sometimes. J.R. Smith can take some crazy shots. Instead of A.I. barking at them or hogging the ball, in those situations it's Billups that can pull them aside and contribute his veteran knowledge.



The big factor, though, will prove to be how effective Nene and J.R. Smith can be. Nene helped out fantasy team owners tremendously last season with his superb numbers. Just when we though the Nuggets were on the verge of collapse after trading away Camby, Mr. Hilario emerges out of the shadows to prove us wrong. One could even argue that Nene did a better job than the Cambyman. As for J.R. Smith, his energy is unparalleled and can often result in quick bursts of scoring. There were games where he would drain three-point shot after three-point shot, regardless of the fact that the defense was in his face on each possession. Although, the key will be to see how he can control his energy. If the Nuggets can get consistent contributions from everybody on the team, their twenty-nine opponents that better be careful.

San Antonio Spurs - So far in this decade, the Spurs have seemingly always been strong contenders for the Larry O'Brien trophy. You could bet that Tim Duncan would still be performing his post moves come playoff time. There wasn't a single reason to doubt that Tony Parker would be getting inside for layups during the NBA tourney. You knew that Manu would be flopping in a seven game series. Despite all indications that this team is too old to compete, they keep hushing naysayers by dominating the West. In short, they're still beasts.

In the past, we've seen what a large impact Ginobli's presence has on the Spurs. They're just not the same without the Argentinian. Which makes the acquisition of Richard Jefferson all the better. They no longer have to put so much pressure on Manu. Now, all Parker really has to do is pass it to Richard Jefferson and leave it to him to create his own shot - or maybe give him a pick and let him shoot. Anyway, Jefferson brings a much more dynamic range and dependency. In clutch situations, I'm sure Gregg Poppavich didn't have a 100% faith in his team. Sure, they execute well, but they didn't have a scoring superstar. Emphasis on the word "scoring." When the clock is winding down, they don't have to think about who gets the last shot. It's going to be Richard Jefferson.



As if the Spurs needed another veteran, they snagged Antonio McDyess, one of the most consistent Pistons of the decade. His steady mid-range jumpshot and post maneuvers really helped out Detroit. If he can continue to work down low and spread the floor with a 15-footer, he can easily create a tough match-up. He's certainly an upgrade over Oberto, whose IQ I still question. McDyess, however, has been around and knows what it takes to be a champion, as do many of his teammates. He's surely self-motivated. If all these puzzle pieces come together for the Spurs and the starters can stay healthy, the Spurs' season should be just as fruitful as those that preceded it.

Eastern Conference

Cleveland Cavaliers - Many have jumped on to the Cavs' bandwagon since they signed Shaq. I'm not quite ready to get on board, but I will admit that they are certainly contenders. Shaq's been around for awhile - so has his ego - and now he realizes that it is no longer his time to shine. As a Cavalier, Shaq recognizes the fact that his numbers will decrease, that he will get less attention, and that he is the head of the witness protection program. Cleveland's grand jury is demanding that Shaq/(insert nickname here) come through and help the king secure gold. However, the pursuit to the promised land won't be an easy one.

Lebron will have to make sacrifices, too. Even though he is still the Commander-in-Chief of his army, he will have to learn how to delegate with his troops. He will no longer be the constant obsession of local reporters. He may no longer have the cover of every magazine to himself. Just like Shaq, he will learn have to share. In order to win as a team, LBJ will have to distribute and find Mr. O'Neal in the paint. He will have to pass up on jumpshots and instead give up the ball for a high percentage jam - by a witness. Additionally, #23 will have to step up his leadership - and that starts by being a good leader. When he chose not to shake hands with the Magic after losing in the Conference Finals, he became a total disappoint and exposed that he was a sore loser. That kind of behavior is unacceptable. It just won't be tolerated, at least, if the league decides to take action. And even if they don't, if Lebron doesn't use his brain, don't expect to see the Cavs in the Finals.



Another key element to a potential championship run will prove to be how many minutes can be split between the Big Z and the Big Aristotle. For the most part, Varajeo shouldn't be affected but how when will Mike Brown keep Shaq on the floor? When will he play Illgauskas? If the Cavs are able to balance minutes and both Shaq and Lebron make the necessary sacrifices, we may very well see the Cavs reach the main stage. After all, as Kobe and Lebron found out the hard way, MVP honors are only so meaningful if you can't win the real prize.

Boston Celtics - Ah, if only Boston had lost in the first round this year. Then the Celtics fans would have nothing to say. But, truth be told, the Celtics are still a powerhouse in the league and should be able to give the Cavs a run for their money. Without hesitation, this team holds the most dangerous group of veterans in the league. Spearheaded by nobody in particular, the starting lineup of this squad is simply scary.

In order to make a legitimate postseason run, the C's will need the same kind of clutch performances we saw from Ray Allen last year against the Chicago Bulls. Every time Derek Rose enjoyed a three-point play on a hard drive, you could sure bet that Ray Allen could follow that up with one of his deadly shots from behind the arc. Despite the absence of KG and the fact that Paul Pierce and Big Baby had fouled out, Allen persisted; he knew that no matter what, giving up was not an option. At his age, if he can match that passion this season, things could get ugly in the East.



On the other hand, the success of this franchise also lies heavily on the shoulders of their starting point guard. Rajon Rondo has already expressed a desire to leave Boston. If that happens, who will be his replacement? He's just such a great fit, it would really hurt the team to see him leave. However, the main catalyst in the Celtics' prosperity will prove to be health. With a veteran team, there's always the concern of injuries. We already saw how things went downhill went KG was sidelined. The Celtics can't afford an injury to Allen, Pierce, Garnett, or Wallace. If they can all keep healthy and stay together (cough, cough, Rondo), then expect a true battle in the Eastern Conference.

By the way, comments are always appreciated. In the last post, an elite reader submitted a suggestion - Ben, you could include Shaq and the Cavs in one of your posts - and guess what, I just did. Remember, story ideas and feedback are always appreciated.

Throughout the season, many NBA experts, regardless of their legitimacy, had declared the Cleveland Cavaliers would definitely make it out of the Eastern Conference Finals, possibly en route to an NBA championship. Just like the Lakers, this team had its own elements of success. Their tallest player was a bald, Eastern European draining mid-range, and at times, three point, shots at 7'3". Their point guard was a guy who could make a 67-footer at the halftime buzzer of Conference Finals game, only to miss a potentially game-winning field goal at the final horn. For Pete's sake, their power forward looked like a chia pet. Yes, these were the players many believed would make an NBA Finals appearance. This ball club had the league praying for a Lakers-Cavs match-up.

Deep down, everyone wanted the entertainment of a Kobe vs. Lebron finals series. The sportswriters would have finally had an answer to the "who's best" debate. The league would have generated seven figure sums. Fans would have had historically brilliant amusement. Unfortunately, though, the Orlando Magic ended up as the best of the East. The series, in a sense, was almost as disappointing as the Spurs sweep of the Cavs only a few years ago. Only more reason for the Cavaliers to be ashamed that they didn't make it to the main stage. The hype had been on their side for so long, and they failed to capitalize. Even people who don't know what the initials of the NBA stand for, let's call them the "uninformed witnesses", were confident that the two greatest players of the association would meet in the highest stage of play.

Of course, the main embarrassment of this postseason was Lebron James. Despite stellar scoring performances, you can only outscore an entire 12 man team so many times. People may say that Lebron now has help, but I don't know if I can agree. Regardless, this was a chance for Lebron to prove himself as a leader and prove that he's more than a one man scoring (and rebounding) machine. Whatever the cause, whether it was pressure or lack of assistance, 23 was not able to guide his team to the promised land. My primary criticism of Lebron is that he hasn't yet learned how to "measure" games like Kobe. He hasn't developed the ability to sense when he needs to pass to his teammates, the most suitable play to run under circumstances, and when he must take over, which he seems to be doing too often. I always see clips of Kobe voicing his opinions in the huddles and resembling a coach, but I rarely see footage of Lebron giving feedback to his teammates during timeouts.



Danny Ferry has to do a better job of satisfying Lebron and his own Cleveland constituents. Right now, not to sound biased, but it's clear that the Los Angeles Lakers will be contenders for the next 2-3 years, and will likely be victorious unless somebody stops them. Boston and Cleveland may very well be the only teams that could put a speedbump on the Lakers' success. Until now, we haven't seen anybody capable of giving LB a breather. Everytime he steps out of the game, the flow of the game rapidly deteriorates. Mo Williams? Sasha Pavlovic? Big Z? Ben Wallace? Are these players able to carry on their team in Lebron's absence. Boston did a rather exceptional job of proceeding with the postseason without Kevin Garnett. And I'm sure a squad with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Derek Fisher would perform phenomenally better than a Lebron-less Cavs team.

The bigger issue for Ferry, more urgent than adding talent, is keeping his superstar. If Lebron were to depart and head for the East Coast, a very likely possibility, Ferry could be blamed for demoralizing the franchise. If Lebron were to leave, Danny Ferry would be to the Cavs as Jimmy Carter was to Iran - he would create an era of isolation and a never-ending chain of bad news. The team would probably function as poorly as the Lakers team the first few years after the Shaq trade. As for the players stuck on that team - they will be praying for free agency. I don't want to get into the intracies of a mediocre team - the lottery picks, screw-ups, trial and error, etc.

Although, there is a glimmer of hope for this otherwise haughty bunch. In the build-up to the trade deadline earlier this season, the Cavs were believed to have traded for the Big Cactus - after the deadline of 12 ET, though. A James-O'Neal powerhouse would be O'Neal's most fitting pairing and would have elevated the Cavaliers to a throne of dominance. Not many people in the league have the physical stamina to contain that type of a dynamic duo for 48 minutes. If Lebron beats you to the rack, your center would have to step up, in which case he could either draw contact or dish it out to Shaq. And if Shaq gains posession, he could draw a double team, back you down as far as he wants to create a SportsCenter highlight reel or, if he's feeling generous, kick it out to a three-point shooter or somebody slashing to the rim - basically what Orlando should have been doing the entire series.

Commemorates the Spurs-Cavs finals. Just to clarify, I did not make this graphic. Found a link to it on Twitter.

All in all, the key point here is that Lebron must be happy. A dismayed puppet will result in a dispirited James, which is a very bad thing for the Cavaliers. On the other hand, a Knicks-Lakers finals would be fun to watch.

One quick order of business: WHO SAW THE MAGIC GO UP 3-1? I can't wait until the Cavs are humbled, voters reconsider their MVP, and the holy members of the media go into hiding for their unjustly endless praise of LBJ and Co.

If you have been watching the Lakers-Nuggets and Cavs-Magic series, you know that there have been several x-factors who have come out of their shells, found cracks in the opponents' strategy, and flat out, saved the game. It seems as though each of the four teams in the championship race - none of whom have a huge edge over the other - have one role player who can really make or break a game, or as we may find out, an entire series. Sure, it always helps when your superstars show up. But your chances of victory get that much better when the other guys follow their niche. After all, Lebron seems to have no problem hoisting 40+ point performances. However, his team isn't getting the job done. Same goes for last year's MVP, Kobe. Without the support of the smaller guys, figuratively speaking, it's very difficult to expect to win.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's imperative that Mo Williams gets his head in the game - and keep his mouth shut afterwards. His victory "guarantee" didn't end up happening and simply added fuel to Orlando's fire. Cleveland appears to be the most desperate team when it comes to an X-factor. I like to call the Cavs "The Lebron Show" because the default game plan seems to be:
1) Bring the ball up
2) Give the ball to Lebron
3) Stand around and hope for the best

The Cavs won't win ball games with that strategy. They need that icing on the cake. Ironically, I suggest that we delegate the dude who can't keep promises (a.k.a. Mo Williams) as their secret weapon. At times, we see this young man flourish as he drains a series of mid-range jumpers, only to score on the next possession by beating his opponent to the bucket. And of course, there is a "bright side" to his "guarantee" comments. It's somewhat refreshing, at least for Cavs fans, to know that their players are confident of their ability. At the same time, though, he needs to keep his ego on the low and just play the game.

Without a doubt, Orlando's game-saver, after Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu, is Rafer Alston. Skip to My Lou has shown his entire arsenal in this series; the man can shoot, steal, spin, and make a lay-up with ease. With LBJ, runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, in his face, Alston continued to enforce his will by banking a 3. With Jameer Nelson injured, Alston has done a phenomenal job of handling the ball - and playoff pressure - by prevailing at home and on the road. His outbreak in Game 4 definitely earned him well-earned attention. If he can continue to score, outpace, and outsmart Mo Williams, he can easily guide the Magic past the Cavs.

Denver happens to have the most influential X-factor in the league in J.R. Smith. Sometimes, you could find him hitting consecutive three pointers or beating the opposition on continuous drives to the basket. On other nights, if he were on a boat, he couldn't even throw the ball into the ocean. Every one of his next moves are as irrational as his previous ones. For these reasons, he may never turn out to be an All-Star, but his presence on the game is still huge, nonetheless. Defensively, he's there to keep up with the quick guard on the other team - no matter how successful or unsuccessful he is. Offensively, if he's connecting, he's dangerous; but when he's shooting up bricks, it's almost a guarenteed Denver loss (I'm very reluctant about using the g-word).

Obviously, the player who has the biggest impact on the series (for the Lakers), is Trevor Ariza. Having given up on Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, Ariza's hustle has been the difference between winning and losing in 2 games. But then again, his Game 2 slip-up did cost the Lakers a victory. All in all, though, Ariza had provided that extra spark that the Lakers, and more importantly, Kobe, need. When the ball is in the other team's hands, it's as if Trevor is playing with more energy than an offense, and is always looking to add to his stats with a steal, rebound, or block. He can match up with the opposition's shooting guard or small forward rather well, and his well-timed drives and recent increase in shooting accuracy have kept him on the floor (late). If Ariza continues to grab these game-changing steals - and Kobe gets some more help - the Lakers should have no problem advancing to the final round.