Halftime Hype

The NBA season kicked off yesterday with plenty of hype surrounding the opening day. The defending Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics, won an 88-80 home victory over the Miami Heat, a team which some pundits expect to set records with a 73+ win season. On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Lakers began the evening with a ring ceremony and concluded with a 112-110 win against the Houston Rockets.

Although the games were entertaining, it's crucial to note that it was Day 1. The Heat's Big Three of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh had barely played three minutes together prior to Monday. Adjustments will be made and players' conditioning will improve - and that goes for every team. However, with that said, there were some observations to be made:

• The New Technical Foul Policy - With more discipline regulations in place for this season, some personnel complained that the modifications would have a detrimental effect. TNT commentator and former player Reggie Miller asserted that sometimes, especially in a playoff atmosphere, players just need to vent and will then proceed down the court. One can certainly understand the arguments against the rules.
  
  Whether you agree with the new rules or not, the games did seem to go by faster. It was awfully nice the delay of players holding on to the ball and chatting with the officials. Plus, as Commissioner David Stern pointed out, a call is never changed by a player's subsequent argument. On the flip side, the conspiracy theorists may claim that it affects the referees' future calls but that's another debate.
  
  
• The Big Three, Nay Miami Heat, Are Not Invincible - Despite injuries which limited the Big Three's preseason minutes together, all the off-season hype caused many to have great expectations. Last night, the trio did not deliver. Sure, James was the high man with 29 points, but that's not the area of concern. Between James and Wade, there were 14 turnovers. Additionally, Bosh only had 8 points - as many as Udonis Haslem - on 3-11 shooting. Furthermore, Wade, easing his way back from injury, was even less less efficient with 13 points while only connecting on 4-16 field goals.
  
  Outside of the Big Three, Miami's roster is not deep at all. Joel Anthony, who started at center, and Arroyo, who started at point guard, are just not enough to support the establishment in place. It helps to have perimeter threats in Mike Miller and Eddie House, but until they mesh and play influential roles, Miami still has some work to do.
  
  Taking into account that a) it was the first game of the season b) it was a road game c) it was against the Celtics, it's easy to justify the squad's struggles. In fact, the Heat bounced back with a win against Philadelphia today, in which Wade scored 30 points on 10-20 shooting. The point is that talk of shattering the 72-win record or the 33-game winning streak is far-fetched.
  
  
• Rondo's Relevance - Once considered to be the area of concern in the Celtics' lineup, he's now arguably the best of the starting five. If you haven't noticed, when he's out there, every play goes through Rondo. On a fast break, he can outrun the opposition and take it to the cup or find Shaq for an alley-oop. In a half court set, he has an eagle's eye in finding Ray Allen on curls and delivers bulls' eye passes. Defensively, don't even think about throwing lob passes. Once it's out of your hand, it is a Rondo interception.
  
  
• Lakers 3.0 - While the media concentrated on South Beach, the Los Angeles Lakers added depth to an already stunning roster. Just when you thought general manager Mitch Kuptchak was out of tricks, he selected two of the best prospects possible in Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks. To replace an inconsistent Jordan Farmar and help share point guard duties with Derek Fisher, the Lakers found the perfect replacement in Steve Blake - who hit the key three-pointer to win last night's game. In the long run, Fisher won't need to overextend himself during the regular season and will be fully prepared, as he always is, to hit the big shots come playoff time.
  
  While DJ Mbenga was a fan favorite, he simply can't get the job done remotely as well as veteran Theo Ratliff. The former All-Star will be particularly crucial during Bynum's absence and can mentor the young fella once he gets back on the court. To counter Miami's array of perimeter threats, the Lakers combated by signing the gritty Matt Barnes. Between Barnes and Blake, L.A. has also spread the floor with long-range shooters.
  
  In spite of injuries to Bynum and Kobe Bryant, it's incredibly helpful to have the ultimate Swiss Army knife in Lamar Odom, who's in great shape after competing in the FIBA World Championships during the off-season. The new and improved Lakers also features Shannon Brown, who added an impressive perimeter touch. No longer exclusively a dunker, he is capable of knocking down mid and long-range jumpers.
  
  Overall, this new squad is much deeper and more improved. The juxtaposition of those in search of another title along with the new acquisitions hungry for their first ring should work well to L.A.'s advantage.
  
  
• Don't Rule Out the Bigs - Amidst age and injuries, many have been too quick to bet against the credibility of the Celtics' Shaquille O'Neal and the Houston Rockets' Yao Ming. Yet, as fans saw last night, O'Neal is still a Big Diesel as he finished plays around the rim. Ming, who will be limited to a maximum of 24 minutes a game, still had a presence in the paint, which is all the Rockets ask. Just having his 7'6" frame alone is intimidating. If he can make some plays too, like he did last night, well, the Rockets' circumstances are that much better.
  

With all the hype surrounding South Beach, one would have thought the Miami Heat have already won a championship or two. However, truth be told, the regular season has yet to begin. Las Vegas was prompt to pick the Heat as title favorites almost immediately after "The Decision." Nevertheless, it's easy to forget that the Eastern Conference is home to several elite teams, notably the Boston Celtics, who present some daunting obstacles for LeBron James & Co.

Contrary to how it may seem, the Heat are not a complete package. Perhaps former ESPN analyst and current Fox Sports radio personality Stephen A. Smith put it best. During the Q&A session of a speaking engagement last week at Beverly Hills High School, he said:

"LeBron, D-Wade, Chris Bosh - sensational athleticism. Eddie House, Mike Miller - [who are good] shooters. Mario Chalmers, a decent point guard. They don't have a big man. They have Udonis Haslm, whose undersized. Juwan Howard, whose old and undersized. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, whose slow, big, scrubby."

"You need a couple of big men. They don't have that."

Smith would then provide a defense for the Celtics and an interesting point about their post match-up against the Lakers.

"What you have with Boston: You have Ray Allen. You have Paul Pierce. You have Rajon Rondo. Then look what they went out and did. They got Shaquille O'Neal [and] Jermaine O'Neal. They got Kendrick Perkins coming back midseason - he'll be healthy by then. You have Glen 'Big Baby' Davis, whose shorter but a big, wide body.

You've got KG, who'll be better this year because after you have micofracture surgery, they say that you actually get better as you age...So whatever we saw from KG last year, he'll be better healed this year.What you have are [several] 7-footers and a small, miniature, wide body to throw at Pau Gasol and a one-legged Andrew Bynum."

Essentially, the Boston Celtics did not mess with a recipe for success that got them to within four points of a Game 7 victory on the road. Rather, they kept their nucleus in tact and added a couple key big men. Plus, as Smith mentioned, his sources have disclosed that Rasheed Wallace may be salvaged, too. In that case, the Heat has a long way to go - at least a couple months of regular season action - before it can back up the mass of hype.

On Wednesday, ESPN Los Angeles' Land O'Lakers blog published an article answering the question: "Which Eastern Conference team is the Lakers' strongest challenger?" Halftime Hype will now give its' spin:

Some will say that the situation in South Beach is sunnier that Los Angeles. Their Florida counterparts in Orlando, would likely favor the Magic. Others will claim that the Boston Celtics, who should really be in the midst of their "Last Hoorah" if they weren't last season, will prevail. However, everyone agrees that those teams are the beasts of the East, the only ones who can challenge the Lakers.

To pick the Celtics as the Lakers' strongest challenger in the East would be the most conservative choice - and, at this point in time, perhaps the most realistic. As ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin said, "The C's were about half a quarter away from beating L.A. to win the championship last June and added the O'Neals in Shaquille and Jermaine."

Last time around, pundits were quick to cast off the Celtics prior to the playoffs after their dismal regular season performance. To make the same case for this season could prove to be poor judgment and turn out to be incorrect later. However, I am confident injuries will arise with this Boston squad. It will come down to how the Celtics can work around that adversity.

Despite any individual opinions of the Lebron James free-agent debacle, one must acknowledge the Miami Heat's legitimacy as a contender. Having three of the NBA's top ten players, all of whom won an Olympic gold medal together just a couple years ago, certainly puts you in the championship discussion.

Nevertheless, if the Celtics are a realistic pick on the basis that they have proven their talent, the Heat are an unrealistic choice for the same reason. Playing on an Olympic gold medal team is extremely different from an 82-game season, followed by intense playoff series. Chemistry issues may emerge. With expectations already so high, there is no margin for error. Plus, as with the Celtics, injuries are always looming. Wade is certainly familiar with the trainer's office. Bosh and James were both affected by injuries last season.

You can't bet against such a dynamic team, especially since the Lakers have had difficulty with explosive, offensive teams in the past (see: Oklahoma City Thunder and losing a 3-1 series lead to the Phoenix Suns, etc.) The big question marks for the Heat will be how the Big Three mesh as well as how much the supporting cast can contribute.

The Orlando Magic pose a threat, but, in my opinion, to a much lesser degree than either the Celtics or the Heat. They must be left in the discussion, though, in spite of Dwight Howard (enough said), an aging but still effective Vince Carter, an All-Star point guard in Jameer Nelson, sharpshooters in Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick, not to mention the offensive-defensive threats of Mickael Pietrus and Quentin Richardson.

For the most part, the roster remains the same as in the past couple seasons. That's exactly why they are still in the discussion. The team is capable of making a deep run, but equally capable of disappointing in the playoffs.

The Verdict: Having improved from an already daunting roster last season, it will be hard for any team to challenge the Lakers. On paper, they can match up with Miami. Although the Celtics upgraded a roster that got them to within four points of a Game 7 on the road, last I checked the concept a time machine still remains a sci-fi fantasy. Orlando is dangerous, but history says to bet against them. That said, the wisest pre-season pick, with the primary criteria being experience and proven play, would have to be the Celtics.

Shaquille O'Neal still has a job. "The Big [insert nickname here]" signed a two year, $3 million deal with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. In the last few years, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has done a great job of finding the right pieces to improve his team. However, with O'Neal there are always questions to be answered.

First of all, will he be able to lay low? It's no secret that O'Neal loves attention. At this point in his career, though, more often than not he will be on the bench. After all, with the exception of the 2004 Los Angeles Lakers team with O'Neal, Kobe Bryant Gary Payton, and Karl Malone, the current Celtics roster is the most star-studded O'Neal has played for. Whereas he was only overshadowed by LeBron James in Cleveland and by Steve Nash and A'mare Stoudemire in Phoenix, he will now have to take a backseat in the media to Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and probably even Ray Allen and Jermaine O'Neal.

If he can handle receiving less publicity than he's ever had to, O'Neal has already fulfilled a share of his duties.

Then there's the matter of how O'Neal will fit. After last season, it was clear that the Celtics needed more depth at the center position and O'Neal could be an asset as a second-string or third-string center. It will be particularly interesting to see how coach Doc Rivers juggles Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal in the rotation.

In addition to the two O'Neal's, both former All-Stars, the Celtics have two other centers in recent signing Semih Erden and veteran Kendrick Perkins. One shouldn't expect Erden to step on the hardwood too often, but Rivers has a tough task ahead of him in figuring out the rotation.

Perhaps Rivers will try playing them both throughout games, possibly creating a Twin Towers tandem similar to the Pau Gasol-Andrew Bynum duo that defeated the Celtics in Game 7 last season.

Another question on everyone's mind is, will he be able to stay healthy? In the past six seasons, O'Neal has missed 492 regular season games. In fact, just last year, he was out for 29 games. It's almost a sure bet that he will be injured at some point next season. Fortunately for the Celtics, they signed Jermaine O'Neal.



The main concern is how much O'Neal will be able to contribute. O'Neal impressed many in the playoffs last season with averages of 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 22 minutes. Nothing too impressive, but definitely a key contribution - a contribution much more than anybody had expected.

At 38 years of age, though, many are skeptical of just how much fuel is left in "The Big Diesel." In his 19 seasons in the NBA, O'Neal has picked up quite a bit of mileage. Especially with the minutes he'll play, I cannot see O'Neal averaging more than 10 points and/or 5 rebounds.

Regardless, having won nearly every award and accolade possible, O'Neal is not worried about statistics, nor should he be. He was brought to help the Celtics in the paint and assist the team in their pursuit of another championship. At the end of the day, as long as he continues to be a force to reckon with, he has filled his job description.

Lastly, what will his nickname be? Throughout his career, O'Neal has had the most nicknames in NBA history, and possibly in all of sports. He has been called everything from "The Big Fella" to "The Big Diesel." During his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, he was dubbed the "The Big Cactus" and "The Big Shaqtus" while with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was sometimes referred to as "The Big Witness" alongside LeBron James. At times, when O'Neal was in touch with his inner philosopher, he preferred to be nicknamed "The Big Aristotle."

Other nicknames include: "Shaq Fu," also the title of a video game he was featured in; "Dr. Shaq," a title he received after earning his MBA; and after making 12-12 free throws in two games , he proclaimed himself "Shaqovic," a play on the surnames of Serbian players (i.e. Sasha Vujacic, Vladamir Radmanovic, etc.), who tend to be good shooters.

Luckily, O'Neal's new fanbase will have a chance to advise him on a nickname. I can't wait to hear some of them.

The NBA Playoffs are a long and intricate odyssey, with a fair share of superb play and clutch shots. At the heart of it, though, it's a competition searching for the best of the best, ultimately crowning a champion. That's where the NBA Finals come in. The Los Angeles Lakers are officially the best of the West, while the Boston Celtics have emerged as the Eastern Conference champions. Despite the fact that both teams faced off against each only two seasons ago - with the C's winning championship #17 - it would be foolish to compare this year's match-up to the 2008 Finals.

Significance
For one, each team has at least one significant addition since '08. The Lakers signed one of the best defenders in the NBA, Ron Artest, and the Celtics acquired a 6'11" power forward with championship experience and a jumpshot in Rasheed Wallace. Plus, Bynum was barely around in the '08 playoffs, mostly recovering from an injury. Not to be forgotten is the Celtics' Nate Robinson, who put on a show in Game 6 versus Orlando. In the process, each team also lost an influential player. Los Angeles gave up the chance to re-sign Trevor Ariza, who made game-changing plays for the Lake Show during their '09 title run, and Boston no longer has Eddie House, a streaky three point ace who greatly contributed to momentum.

This series also has a different significance than it had two years ago. Back then, Kobe had just received the MVP award and was still trying to prove he could win a title without Shaq. Meanwhile, the Celtics were attempting to fulfill their championship prophecy, formulated the previous offseason after the acquisition of Garnett and Ray Allen. This season, Kobe & Co., who acquired championship experience, are motivated by revenge. On the other hand, the Celtics want to prove the naysayers wrong, specifically those who doubted them during the regular season.

For certain players, the Finals - or rather winning - hold a different significance. If the Celtics win it all, Rondo will be credited with leading his squad to a title. He's been a champion before, but never a leader. If the Celtics come up short, Rondo's performance in the playoffs won't be remembered outside of Beantown (and Orlando, Cleveland, and Milwaukee). Thinking about it from the other side, this may be Derek Fisher's last championship. Considering that he may retire after this season, the 2010 NBA Finals are pretty special.



Then there's the superstar, Kobe Bryant. What does this mean for him? Instead of Shaq, Kobe has Lebron in mind. The pundits and most fans have dismissed Kobe Bryant as the best player in favor of "King James." As Fanhouse's Bethlehem Shoals blogged, if Kobe wins, people will have to rethink their opinions. Is Lebron really the best? He still hasn't won a ring, and Kobe just led his squad to a championship. Imagine how Kobe, who performs at such a high rate without any motivation, will play with the "best player" debate secretly fueling him.

Analysis
Contrary to what some may say, this series - and thus, the NBA championship - could go either way. Boston boasts a unique physicality that has challenged L.A. and a productive bench, while the Lakers have Twin Towers and a former Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the best closer in the game.

The point guard match-up is definitely an advantage for the Celtics, since Rondo will always be several steps ahead of Fisher. It is imperative that Rondo use his quickness to create plays and drive, rather than utilizing his newfound jumpshot. Fisher can't keep up on a run to the basket, but he has no problem sliding his feet and contesting jumpers. The question is how often Doc Rivers will turn to Nate Robinson, who recently showcased his repertoire, and whether Phil Jackson will resort to Jordan Farmar or Sasha Vujacic as Fisher's backup. Both are quick, but neither Farmar or Vujacic have a high basketball IQ. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, Derek Fisher ought to be pretty fatigued by now. He's had to chase Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, and Steve Nash. Phil Jackson must sub in Vujacic and Farmar for the well-being and stamina of Fisher. In spite of this disaster, Rondo should get the best of the Lakers' PGs.

Nevertheless, Kobe Bryant may end up guarding Rondo, too, with Fisher switching to Allen. In that case, Rondo will have to exploit his other options. Ultimately, if Rondo - the key to the Celtics offense - isn't effective, the Celtics don't stand a chance. Of course, that's easier said than done.

The game's greatest closer, L.A.'s Kobe, and the catalyst, Boston's Ray Allen, occupy the shooting guard positions. The only way Ray Allen can score while matched up against Kobe is with the assistance of screens. If Allen's teammates can provide a good pick, and Ray can run at the right angles, then he'll get his shots. But don't expect him to perform too well, which should really concern the Celtics. On the opposite end of the floor, Ray will have to guard Kobe, one of the most difficult defensive assignments ever. However, Ray doesn't get enough credit as a defensive player as he should. Even though Kobe sank the shot, you couldn't ask for better defense from Ray Allen on Kobe's game winner in Boston earlier this season. Kobe wins this match-up hands down.

At the 3, the Lakers' Ron Artest will defend the Celtics' Paul Pierce. Artest is undoubtedly the main difference between the unsuccessful '08 Lakers squad and this year's team. Sometimes, Ron Artest's defense can turn the game into a 5-on-4, simply by taking the opposing small forward out of the game. That said, Paul Pierce is a talented offensive player who shouldn't be underestimated (neither should his acting abilities). When he gets hot, his jumpshot is hard to stop. The disadvantage is that because of Artest's defense, Paul Pierce wouldn't be a reliable clutch player, causing the Celtics to look elsewhere during crunch time. Typically, I would say Pierce gets the advantage over Artest, because of his offense, but Artest has recently showed he can put up points too. This match-up is a tie.



What a great power forward match-up. Pau Gasol, and at times, Lamar Odom, against Kevin Garnett. Pau has beefed up and KG has aged, but is still effective. This is the time for Pau to prove people wrong. Two years ago, he heard it all. The Olympian was said to be "weak" and a "softy". In case you didn't catch him during the Lakers-Utah series, this is not the same Pau Gasol. Although Pau has gotten stronger, Kevin Garnett is still an intimidating and effective player. He, just like Pau, is capable of making mid-range jumpers. And at the heart of it, they're both excellent power forwards, which implies that they are good rebounders and have a dominant post presence. Two years ago, I would have given the edge to Boston. But a clash between Garnett and the new Pau Gasol is a tie, at least on paper.

The center position is really what won Boston the championship in '08. Pau was playing out of position and Perkins gave him hell. Everybody saw Perkins' excellent defense against Dwight Howard, and I wouldn't expect anything less of him against Bynum. The injury-plagued Bynum has only scored more than 13 points twice during the playoffs and that's against the likes of Nenad Kristic, Kyrlo Fesenko, and Jarron Collins. Perkins has come a long way, but still doesn't exactly stuff the stat sheet. What he does do is frustrate his opponent and hustle, which outdoes Bynum. But he also outdoes Bynum in technicals; one more T and Perkins is suspended. Regardless, Big Baby is also a good defender and is, in many ways, similar to Perkins. Nonetheless, I don't think Big Baby is as effective as Perkins. The only reason the Lakers can be optimistic is because of the height advantage. If Bynum can exploit that, expect some big games. I don't. The Celtics' centers have the advantage in this matchup.

Lastly, there's the bench. Almost any bench is better than the Lakers'. It's more than just a matter of talent. The Celtics' reserves are smart players. The Lakers' bench sometimes makes decisions that cause one to question their competence. Oh, and their defense needs a lot of work. If you're the Celtics, don't be discouraged if you're facing a double-digit defecit; the Lakers' reserves are very forgiving. In fact, they'll let you right back into a game - just to make things interesting, of course.

The Verdict
In 2008, the Celtics had home court advantage and an overwhelming advantage at the 1,3,4, and 5. Now, they barely have advantages, and slim ones at that (except for the bench). Home-court advantage is ultimately a deal breaker. According to John Schuhmann of NBA.com, "The team with the first two games at home has won 19 of the 25 Finals since the NBA switched to the 2-3-2 format in 1985. The Celtics have already won five road games in these playoffs, but the Lakers are 8-0 at home thus far at Staples Center." Plus, the Lakers have the best clutch player in the game, Kobe Bryant. My prediction: Lakers in 7.

"Free Agents. Neither free nor agents." - Tony Reali

This offseason may have been the fastest when it came to snagging the stars, or whoever was available. And while there are still moves to be made, players to be dealt, and GMs to be criticized, we can step back and observe the reformation of the NBA. Despite a couple commendable acquisitions by Detroit, the league is still a Western powerhouse. But in the last few weeks, the game has changed and individualistic superstars and young guns, I mean, next season's top athletes, have hypnotized general managers from sea to shining sea.

I think it's fair to say that this summer belongs to the blooming role players; the athletes claiming to switch teams in order to pursue a title and the reserves who are trying to make their way onto SportsCenter. Despite next year's star-studded festivities, it is the free agency of 2009 that will have equal weight in determining the outcome of dynasties. Lebron James and the rest of the unrestricted gang can wait 365 more days for contract attention. Now, we wait and see how the rather expensive "free" agents of today will drive their team to victory and entice superstars to join them. Will Ron Artest keep Kobe satisfied? Will the Diesel have enough left in his tank to persuade the King to stay? These answers are just as important and will surely have an effect on where the future Hall-of-Famers are in the future.

Mo Money, Mo Problems in Motown
As many analysts have already pointed out, Chanucey Billups was the key to the Pistons' championship runs. Unfortunately for Joe Dumars, he learned that the hard way and let's just say it took its toll. He not only further decreased the legitimacy of the Eastern Conference by way of destroying his franchise, but also commenced a very forgettable era in team history. This was a team that could always be found at least in the quest for a ring and was a consistent contender. Of course, much to Dumars' regret, the team took an unfortunate slide with the Billups-Iverson trade in which he dealt away the heart and soul of his squad for the arrogance and individualism of A.I. To make matters worse, he brings in newbie coach Mike Curry and fires him at the end of the season. Way to channel out your anger.

I'm not exactly sure which side to take on this deal, but if I had to make a stance right now, I am rather critical of these signings. Rip Hamilton wasn't able to make his typical contributions coming off the bench this year and I don't see how the team is making progress by having him play the same role this season. Ben Gordon is capable of scoring forty and shouldn't go completely unnoticed as a Piston, but how are Hamilton and Gordon going to share minutes? I just don't see it going well in Detroit, economically and sports-wise.

With the addition of Villanueva, this team only gets stranger. What was once an intimidating front court led by Big Ben, Rasheed, and Tayshaun, only continues to live through the Prince. There still is the veteran presence of Antonio McDyess, but as his age he can only do so much to improve this team's chances in the postseason. The integration of youth to this team may indeed have been detrimental to this once fruitful group. With any other team, a slow injection of young blood likely increases the number of victories, but not with the Pistons. Sure, Stuckey and Maxiell have shown they can play. But now, poor Charlie carries a heavy load and while I do expect him to receive plenty of mintues, but he shouldn't be accepted by fans any more than he was in his previous stop.

Consensual Compromise?
Basically, the Los Angeles Lakers traded the youthful Trevor Ariza to Houston for tenacious Ron Artest. Fans, at least in Los Angeles, have had mixed feelings about the signing of Ron Ron, or more importantly, the departure of Ariza. Trevor had played a critical role in this season's championship run, known in large part for his timely, game-changing steals in two Western Conference Finals games. Might I add, these steals came during a series in which the Lakers had been heavily doubted and many foresaw the Nuggets advancing to the Finals. He had been the obedient player off the bench for most of the season and humbly deflected nearly every compliment he received. There was always somebody else, in his opinion, who deserved just as much credit for his own accolade. It was this modesty and dare I say it, timidness, that is gone in Los Angeles.

Nevertheless, this wasn't a bad move at all, to contradict what local Los Angeles Times sports editor, Bill Plaschke, had been preaching. After the faliure against Boston a couple of years ago, the Lake Show was dubbed as a no show in the weight room. Around the league, they were the fabled softies and were too weak to make the trek up the mountain. Artest now gives them that grueling defensive presence; he has silenced the harsh critics of years past. I won't go as far as to say that he is the proverbial "missing piece in the puzzle", because in a championship team there's never really an entire piece that's missing. But the Lakers are now, in my mind, favorites to win it all - again. Right now, they are a three-headed monster consisting of Kobe, Pau, and Artest. Overcome them, and greatness should be yours.



As far as Artest is concerned, he's in the right place. Like numerous other journeymen in the association, he too is looking for a team living in the moment and desiring the ultimate prize. Despite the small tangles with Kobe, #24 and Ron Ron have a greal deal of mutual respect for each other which means that egos shouldn't be a problem. Plus, Ron and Lamar go way back to AAU ball and have been friends for quite awhile. Hopefully for Jerry Buss and Lakers fans, this move will clinch an Odom re-signing.

From Houston's perspective, they also went the right direction. Management realized that the fountain of youth in Aaron Brooks had spurred them so far, even without Yao Ming, McGrady, and at times, Artest. And it's not just Brooks that brought success, but also the fresh legs of Von Wafer, Carl Landry, and Luis Scola who all compensate for the slow-footed starting center. It's about time that people recognized the cornerstone of this franchise and it's no longer the sleepy-eyed McGrady; it's the next generation of ballers on the Texas squad that will allow them to go after their goals. I heard the stat somewhere that on paper, Yao and T-Mac have played five years together, but the total number of games they've actually played together doesn't even total to three seasons.

For Ariza, his departure could make-or-break his future. While he was in Los Angeles, he got plenty of attention for his hustle on the defensive end, emphatic jams on offense, and as of late, a developing jumpshot. I have faith that he will only add to his athletic abilities in Houston, but I question his impact. When Lamar Odom came to Los Angeles, even though he was a very versatile player, we discovered that he wasn't exactly capable of playing with the pressure of second-fiddle. With Ariza, I see the same qualities, and at this stage in his career I honestly doubt that he is ready to serve as the second string and play forty minutes a game. Now that we're finding about the situation with Yao and T-Mac, Trevor could very well be forced to play superstar minutes and in that case, provide superstar contributions. He's leaving Los Angeles on a good note, which means his concern is to keep the momentum going.

More Banter in Beantown
The Celtics have beefed up their front court by adding Rasheed Wallace to their roster. Prior to this transaction, the Celtics were already the league leaders in technical fouls. Now, I'm wondering the Garnett-Wallace tandem will go down in record books as the most loud-mouthed front court in NBA history. It's no secret that the C's needed a center - which leads me to the critical analysis of this move. Danny Ainge should have searched for someone to play the 5 and didn't need a PF. Sure, Sheed gives you a dynamic range and is a tough assignment for the opposing defender. But this isn't about Wallace's talent.

Another point that should be recognized is the age of the starters. I know that living in the moment beats the wait-and-see game in which GMs wait a season to snag stars. In spite of that doctrine, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rasheed Wallace are not exactly the youngest bunch. Injuries could very well slow this team down, maybe even more than they did earlier this year. We saw how much of an impact KG's absence had. Imagine if KG and Ray Allen went down during a crucial stretch. Or if Pierce and Rasheed were working a few weeks with the trainer as oppose to getting playing time. Fatigued veterans are just as helpful as inexperienced rookies.

With that said, the Celtics were still a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference last year. We also saw that Ray Allen still had phenomenal leadership qualities in the midst of clutch situations. Had KG not been hurt, the Celtics could have very well defeated Orlando and get past Cleveland to make a second consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals. Some may argue that they could've beaten the Lakers - again. Boston is still a dominant force in the league and despite their age, they still remain championship-caliber contenders.

In future posts: Turkoglu's next stop, "Matrix on the move", and more analysis of the free agency

A great adaptation of enthusiasm of the game's greatest

This isn't the first time we've been faced with a Game 7 this postseason. As we all remember, Beantown's Celtics and Obamaville's Bulls got into an exciting seven game series that didn't fare out well for the underdogs. Now, in the Conference semifinals, we have two seven games series. It's no longer a question of who is the more dominant team; both teams have proved that they are talented. The winner will only advance to the next round by overcoming nervousness and all other emotions in a forum of adversity. But at the end of the day, "there can only be one."

With Orlando and Boston, we've seen the intensity of East Coast warriors. With the ferocious former-T-Wolf in KG absent, the Boston Three Party has turned to their dynamic duo and the bench as their source of inspiration to strive forward. Orlando is still getting acclimated to the heat of the series against the defending champs. I wouldn't call the Magic deers in headlights, but they aren't what I would refer to as "experienced." Coming in as virgins to the fame and success of the playoffs, they have done a phenomenal job holding their own - with the exception of allowing a buzzer beater by Big Baby. They have elevated their skilled players, who got bits of attention here and there, to postseason competitors, who are the subject of praise. The C's will be looking to get a victory on their home floor, but ever since #21 sat out so have the fans. Boston is no longer the most-feared place to play. Not that the waving green towels and roaring fans aren't intimidating; they are no longer a threat to the performance of the opposition. However, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have the ability to pile up the points in the clutch - crunch time still an issue for the Magic who barely won Game 6 after missing plenty of easy free throws. I'm not going to make any predictions on who will be victorious, but Game 7 of this series should be much closer than the Bulls vs. Celtics Game 7.

Magic's keys to victory:

• Dwight Howard needs to continue what he's doing - except for publicly criticizing his coach and missing free throws.
• The X-factors, Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston, must be involved. Lee's jumpshot and Rafer Alston's teardrops and long-distance shooting must be in check.
• Hedo needs to shoot better and take agressive drives. Despite going 3-13 in Game 6, he scored when it mattered most. The goal will be to finish with a good shooting percentage, though.

The Cetlics keys to victory:

• Ray Allen and Paul Pierce should be ready for clutch performances, as they were Chicago. Allen's three point accuracy combined with Pierce's mid-range game will likely make-or-break this epic battle.
• Rondo needs to put defensive pressure on the opposing PG.
• Perkins and Big Baby need to stay out of foul trouble. As we saw in the 3OT thriller last series, the Celtics desperately need their big men under the six fouls.

Coined on an Urban Outfitters tee near you. Just Kidding.

The other seven game series will be the Lakers facing off against the Rockets. The Rockets came in as the underdogs and may actually get much farther than they thought. They stole the first game of the series in Los Angeles, and have reached the playoffs without their star, Tracy McGrady. As if that weren't enough, their center, Yao Ming, the tallest in the NBA, went down in the middle of the series. One would think that would drastically hurt their chances of advancing. Not at all. In fact, you could make a case they've played better without him, going 2-1. However, the Lakers, specifically Kobe, have been cool with shrugging off losses and criticism by winning the following game. Although the Lakers have come out too lackadaisical in this series, they still have a chance to prove naysayers wrong with a Game 7 victory. And some are forgetting the meager bit of adversity the Lakers are playing through. Coming into the series Luke Walton was injured, then we discovered that Fisher was too old to keep up with Brooks, and recently, Lamar Odom, one of the most versatile players the game has, hurt his back. Oh, and I forgot to mention that their superstar-in-training, Andrew Bynum, has only had one decent performance in the series. But at the end of the day, it's difficult to bet against Kobe and his playoff experience, and the Lakers should be able to grind out a victory at home against the Rockets. If this series seems more complicated, it's cause it is.

Rockets' Keys to Victory:

• Landry needs to duplicate his Game 6 efforts in order to make it close. His 15 points, many of them in the closing quarter, provided the Rockets' with a crucial lift.
• Scola must exploit Odom and Gasol. When defended by Odom, he has to make sure to take his shots in the paint and aggrivate his back injury. If he's matching up with Gasol, he needs to use the strength he showed in Game 6 to create space with the "softy."
• Aaron Brooks has to use his speed the entire game - especially when Fisher is on the floor. For the most part, he's run circles around the entire Lakers team.
• Artest needs to keep his emotions and body in check. An ejection would definitely hurt the outcome of the game for the Rockets. And don't forget, Ron Ron has earned some flagrant points from his ejection. He has one or two more chances before those points result in a suspension.

Lakers' Keys to Victory:

• Come out with a strong start. They can't afford to let Houston go on a huge run to open the game. As we saw in Game 6, if the deficit in the first quarter wasn't so large they may have had a better chance of winning the game.
• Farmar needs to play tight D on Brooks. He'll probably have an edge in minutes over Fisher and can't be fatigued.
• It's crucial that Bynum scores and rebounds. His starting position is in jeopardy and he's not showing any passion on the court.
• Turn the 6'6" Landry into a liability. His height makes it much easier to match up with him, but you can't let him draw fouls.
• Gasol can't be weak defensively. His "defense" on Scola was unacceptable. He should also look to lighten the load on Kobe, at least in the first half, so #24 has plenty of stamina in the second half.
• I'm not worried about Kobe at all. These are the moments he relishes. Another chance to prove himself and his clutch reputation. But he needs time on the floor to do so, and when Jackson rested him at the top of the fourth in Game 6, he really decreased any chances of a Lakers victory.

The hype for these games is immense. Lebron James is probably having goosebumps right now about his next opponent. But he gets one more game in a reclining chair before it's time to play. As for the Nuggets, who have recently been chosen as favorites to beat the Lakers or the Rockets, they'll be anxious for their next battle. But for now, we wait until the result of Game 7.

Dope Jam of the Day

Champagne Red Lights (Remix) - O'Neal McKnight feat. Ron Brownz and Busta Rhymes -In this song, Busta Rhymes, one of the pioneers of New Age rap, spits out our motto, "something like a phenomenon" several times. But that's not what makes the song unique. The chorus has O'Neal McKnight, in a voice resembling an announcer, descriptively reciting the club setting. To compliment the grandness of the chorus, Busta Rhymes literally busts some realistic rhymes. He mentions his amazing presence when he steps in and then its back to the baratone narration of McKnight. And to add a playful sound to the song is auto-tune professor, Ron Brownz. His outgoing personality meshes well with Busta Rhymes' serious nature. In terms of production, the beat is very consistent and has just enough variety to coincide well with the singers. Strongly suggest you listen to this new club anthem.