Such a great NBA Finals!

This'll be a short one, I won't predict any winner for this one. The matchups are obvious, big 3 vs. big 3, bald spot vs. receding hairlines, knees vs. old age and a dinosaur. Tony Parker's shot was plain lucky and clutch..if its possible.

If Miami wins in game 2 and SAS wins in game 3, it'll probably reach game 7.

May the best team win.

What summed up game 1 of the Heat-Pacers Series.

photo from Bleacher Report

This is Roy Hibbert in the last possession which led to LBJ's game-winner. Makes me laugh.

For all the smokers who want to quit, here's one for ya.

The Miami Heat VS. The Indiana Pacers! Series prediction and key matchup(s).

The Miami Heat is going up against The Indiana Pacers, on May 22 2013 (US).

Since I'm based in the Philippines, this'll be tomorrow on May 23.

Let's cut to the chase.


The Miami Heat:

the Heat's big three, Chris Bosh, Lebron James and Dwyane Wade

photo from The Sports Sofa

They've been here before. They know how it feels. They know what to do. This situation is normal for them. Hell, they're the champs and they've been in the Eastern Conference Finals for three straight seasons. They've beaten the then league MVP Derrick Rose's Chicago Bulls, toughed out game 7 against their rival, the Boston Celtics and now, their other rival, the guys who made it hell for them before the 7 games against the Celts, the Indiana Pacers are their enemies.

Obviously, the Heat will have to rely on these three players, especially Lebron, in order to win against Indy. The fact that they went 2-1 with a complete lineup against the Pacers means that it is a grudge match. Don't get mad and say that the regular season and the postseason are different machines (we all know that), just hear me out that if the Pacers were a problem what makes it different now?

Lebron has to be in constant beast mode to take the Pacers down in just 4 games.

The Indiana Pacers:

The Indiana Pacers' starting five of Stephenson, George, Hibbert, West and Hill

photo from basketball wallpapers

Who would've thought that the Pacers would oust the Knicks in the second round? I didn't, but I understood why. Like Memphis, the Pacers are an defensive juggernaut led by reigning Most Improved Player, Paul George. Unlike the Heat, this is the first taste of Eastern Conference Finals for this team and they have to mow down the well-oiled offensive machine called the Miami Heat, led by reigning Most Valuable Player, Lebron James. A quick fact is that they almost ousted the Heat last postseason in the second round, being led by Danny Granger.

This year, they went 2-1 against the Heat this season yet they still hold the status of underdogs, maybe because the Heat has Lebron, Bosh and Wade and in order for them to win a series against the champs, they have to bring their A-game. The emergence of Lance Stephenson boosts this team's chance of winning against the Heat but Paul George has to live up to his title as a Lebron stopper in order for them to advance.

Key Matchup(s):

If I would put anything general, this would be the Big 3 and the reserves (hello, Ray Allen) of the Heat against the starting five of the Pacers but I would have to be more specific.

There'll be three key matchups for today.

1. Lebron James VS. Paul George

LBJ being defended by PG24

photo from Palm Beach Post

The Most Valuable Player against the Most Improved Player. This is the major matchup of the series. Lebron is known to be a jack-of-all-trades and almost a master of all of his skills. He's just won his 4th MVP award, which shows how formidable he is against any defender but his defender in this series isn't some pushover. 

He'll be against Paul George this time. Since Danny Granger went down with an injury this season, PG24's star exploded and shone brightly ever since. Thrust into a more prominent role and finally playing his natural position of small forward, he quickly gained a reputation of being, like LBJ, a jack-of-all-trades. He isn't at LBJ's level just yet, but most posts I see compare him to an evolution of Andre Iguodala (height-wise I think). He's taller than LBJ at 6'10'' and yes, has a large wingspan which would help him defend against the MVP. It doesn't hurt to have managed to limit LBJ's effectiveness because that's almost impossible.

If Paul George manages to raise his field-goal percentages up, it'll be a war.

2. Lance Stephenson VS. Dwyane Wade

Lance Stephenson guarding Dwyane Wade

photo from Terra

You may be thinking.."Is the writer on Drugs? On pot? Is he mentally insane? Why would he matchup Dwyane Wade with some nobody?" 

I have to say that no, I'm not on drugs nor am I insane. If you haven't heard yet, Dwyane Wade has knee issues. You know, the kind which throws him off his insane slashing game (adapt DWade adapt, go Kobe or Jordan for once..just kidding). Also, Stephenson's on a tear lately, ever heard of shooting 25 points to close out NYK? Yeah, Lance Stephenson did that. 

Again, in true Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers fashion, its all about defense against offense and Lance Stephenson has shown that he can defend AND score. Talk about filling in for Danny Granger admirably.

and for the last matchup its 

3. Chris Bosh VS. Roy Hibbert

Bosh lays it up against Roy Hibbert and David West

photo from Zimbio

Wow, the Big 3 has their own matchups compared to the Spurs-Grizzlies post.

Well, it helps to have three game changers both offensively and defensively and one of them is a 6'11'' PF/C who can shoot from effing three-point range. For Bosh, he has to make sure that he can establish himself offensively, to ease up the pressure on Lebron or Wade when they're driving to the hoop. Its easier said than done against Roy Hibbert. Hibbert made Tyson Chandler look bad, yes Tyson was playing injured, but for Hibbert to shut down a player like Chandler, its an accomplishment. Now, he has a lanky sweet shooting center which can displace him and open up lanes for his slashing teammates. 

Again, its defense VS. offense people!

X-FACTOR:

Miami Heat: Chris Andersen's rebounding and the performance of their reserves

Indiana Pacers: Control of the board (controlling Andersen as well) and their bench production

I singled out Birdman because he's the best rebounding big in the Heat, and we all know what the reserves can do, especially Ray Allen and defensively they have one of the best in Lebron. So for me, if Indiana can control Andersen, they will dictate the pace (pun, sorry) and once they do that, its just up to the reserves to come through. If they can make some or more of their shots to go in, it'll be a great series to watch because Indiana isn't known to be a great offensive team.

Prediction:

Indiana in 6 or 7 (if they can solve Miami's offense, it'll be a bit easier)

Miami in 5 or 6 (If Miami can solve the Pacers' defense, its theirs for the taking)

Cleveland Cavaliers win in the NBA Draft Lottery!

This just in! The Cleveland Cavaliers have just won the first overall pick in the NBA Draft!

photo from NBA.com

The Magic, Wizards, Bobcats (soon to be Hornets), Suns, Pelicans, Kings, Pistons, Timberwolves and Trailblazers are positioned at the 2nd-10th picks. 

The 10th-20th picks are for the Sixers, Thunder, Mavs, Jazz, Bucks Boston, Atlanta (17th and 18th), Cavs and Bulls.

The 21st-30th picks are for the Jazz, Nets, Pacers, Knicks, Clippers, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Spurs, Thunder and Suns.

photo from Bleacher Report

San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies - Western Conference Finals - Match ups and Predictions

I've decided to do the WCF first before the ECF because they have a game tomorrow. (In the Philippines)

Let's get to it.

-SAS vs. MEM-

San Antonio Spurs:

The Spurs' Big Three, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili

photo from My San Antonio

Now, we all know these three guys. Tony, Manu and Timmy have been together for years. They've won championships together. Three to be exact. We also know what each of them brings to the table. 

Aside from SAS' big three, they also have other great players which fit into Coach Gregg Popovich's system. Most notably their three point shooters which obliterated the Grizzlies' defense the last game.

The Spurs' will likely still depend on these three players, but don't count them out even if they don't play well. That's how good their system is both offensively and defensively with Coach Popovich at the helm.

Memphis Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies "Big Three", Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph

photo from NBA

Fresh from eliminating OKC, here are the Memphis Grizzlies!

LOL, kidding aside, the saying "defense wins championships" is what you think of when looking at this Grizzlies team. They've got the reigning defensive player of the year in Marc Gasol, one of the best in perimeter defense in Tony Allen, a great veteran defender in Tayshaun Prince who helped shut down Kevin Durant in the second round. The whole team was also first in defense this regular season. 

With all of the combined defensive prowess of the team, it is still important to have great offensive players. Let me mention Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph again.

Marc, like his brother Pau, has an array of post moves and that rare ability (for a center) to pass a ball. Sweeping hook shots, mid-range jumpers, you name it! Z-Bo's offensive skill comes in his ability to push people around in the post, getting his looks and making them. Through it all, the Grizzlies' wing players are also known to have offensive skills with players like Jerryd Bayless and somehow, Quincy Pondexter.

But...the emergence of starting PG Mike Conley Jr. in this year's regular season after the Rudy Gay trade takes things to a whole new level for the Grizz, with his offensive capabilities on full display and his ability to make big shots helping the Grizz in close situations.

All in all, the credit goes to Coach Lionel Hollins for being able to make this team a contender.

Finally, the key matchup.

At point guard, we have Tony Parker against Mike Conley.

Tony Parker going up against Mike Conley

photo from Brownsville Herald

The Spurs will go as far as Tony Parker can take them. Wait, don't throw stuff at me just yet and say its Timmy's team. I mean, Tim's nearing 40 years old, still playing at a high level, but let's be serious, he'll get old and the fact is, the NBA is now the league where guards rule (Don't even mention LBJ at forward, he plays point once he gets the ball). 

The Grizzlies also share that sentiment. They wouldn't be this successful without Mike Conley's improved play. People already have him in their top 10-15 point guards in the game today. I'm sure ZBo and Marc Gasol can carry the offense and defense but considering how they were blown out of game 1, they would need Mike Conley's best performance to get to the finals.

This matchup is the key to the series, much more so than Timmy taking on Marc and ZBo (which he did amazingly in game 1).

X-FACTOR:

Spurs: Three Point Shooting

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. With Timmy managing to control the paint even with ZBo and Marc, the wings should then focus on shooting the three-ball. If they get hot, consider the series done.

Grizzlies: Being the Grizzlies again.

Being one of the top teams in three point defense and giving up so many threes in game 1, you knew there was something wrong with the Grizz and the fact that they went hero ball sometimes, (the double-edged sword they traded away in Rudy Gay) instead of their passing game really hurt them.

My prediction?

4-2 In favor of the Spurs, barring any epic meltdown like last year's series with OKC.

up next, the IND-MIA series prediction and key matchup!

NBA Playoffs Recap: The West.

This is where it becomes a bit different.

Unlike the eastern conference, the western conference semi's were much more competitive. 

Its also the conference with the most compelling story lines. 

We all knew that even if Miami was defeated in game 1 of the semi's, they will still move on to the eastern conference finals. We also knew that whoever won the IND-NYK series would have to beat the heat and it just so happened that the Pacers and the Knicks were the two teams which have a winning record against the Heat.

In the west, most of you probably thought that the Spurs would sweep the young, sharpshooting Warriors and that the Thunder would still move on, even if it wasn't a sweep, against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Yet again, we were wrong. 

-THE WEST-

We'll recap the SAS-GSW series first.

Stephen Curry guarded by the Spurs' Danny Green

photo from USA TODAY

No one could have expected this series to turn out like this. I mean, names like Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are enough to strike fear into the heart of any opposing team and against them? You have Mark Jackson, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Jarret Jack and Andrew Bogut.

If you noticed, its four against six and before the series you'd never think of the Bay Area team being able to stand up against the mighty, robotic San Antonio Spurs but then again, this is the NBA and amazing happened.

Manu's game winning shot against the GSW in game 1 of the west semi's

photo from Fox News

With the way game 1 ended, we all know that the Warriors will be a handful for the veteran Spurs. So in game 2, the Warriors returned the favor by beating San Antonio in their home court. In that game Warriors' shooting guard Klay Thompson unleashed 34 points including an 8 of 9 performance in his three point shooting.

Klay Thompson laying it up

photo from NBA HOOP TROOP

In game 3, Gregg Popovich adjusted and beat the Warriors and Tony Parker lit the Warriors up scoring 32 points. Then came game 4, and like they did in game 2, the Dubs won the game. The rookie small forward Harrison Barnes shot a putrid 9 of 26 in the game and ended up with the game high of 26 points. A win is a win.

In games 5 and 6, the Spurs finally got the puzzle solved. With Curry managing an ankle injury (again) and Klay Thompson both getting shut down defensively in game 5, they only managed to shoot a combined 13 points while Tony Parker had 25 points and 10 assists. In game 6, the Spurs' starting five all had double digit points, and Kawhi Leonard recorded 10 boards to get the double-double and the rest is history. 

Now, the OKC-MEM series.

OKC's Kevin Durant and Memphis' Mike Conley Jr.

photo from ESPN

After the series against the Rockets, the Thunder was left in a tough position. Their star point guard, Russell Westbrook went down with a meniscus tear. KD was then tasked with more than he asked for. The role Lebron had when he was still in Cleveland. He was supposed to score, pass, rebound and defend.

It really doesn't suit him.

After winning game 1 with a game winning jump shot, it all went downhill for OKC.

Mike Conley was having a breakout postseason, Marc Gasol just won the defensive player of the year award, Zach Randolph was wrestling everybody around.

It was just too much for OKC and revealed that when Westbrook went down, so did OKC's offense.

KD put up a valiant effort but wasn't able to outscore the Grizzlies' grinding.

MEM eliminated OKC 4-1.


Up next, IND-MIA predictions!