We are all witnesses, only James Johnson just has a better view

This blog has had about as much activity as Richard Jefferson shows on the court. Oh, wait Jefferson actually had a 17 point 1st half last night. Here are my thoughts on the games I’ve watched so far.


West First Round


(1) L.A. Lakers vs. (8) Oklahoma City

- Kobe Bryant is still the best closer on the floor in the NBA
(maybe not off the court, see Colorado). His numbers have not been prolific so far, but the 2nd half he turned in on Tuesday was outstanding. He was hitting from everywhere on the floor. However, even with Kobe putting up 39 the Lakers still struggled to beat a young Thunder team. Kobe, Gasol and Lamar Odom are the only players on this Lakers team. The rest of that roster is bad besides Artest’s efforts on defense. To me Pau Gasol is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and if he continues to command double teams in the post then the Lakers may have a shot to make it back to the finals

- Kevin Durant is Larry Bird in the making without the defensive instincts.

- 4 (Durant, Westbrook, Green and Ibaka) out of the top 7 players for the Thunder are under the age of 23. If this team adds a legit low post scorer then watch out Western Conference

- I love when TNT does the inside the sounds of the game and shows a team huddle with the coach wired for sound. Scott Brooks, coach of the Thunder was imploring his guys to play with more effort the other night. That message is great, but too bad nobody is listening. I mean not one player could have cared what Brooks was saying and he just won coach of the year. Imagine a huddle for Vinny Del Negro…

(2) Dallas vs. (7) San Antonio

- I was ready to declare the Spurs dead after game 1, but after last night I think they have chance to push this to 7 games or perhaps win this series. The Spurs controlled the entire game last night and in fact Dallas never once held a lead. The Mavs made a late push and cut it 6, but then Timmy Duncan circa 2003 game out and shut down any chance the Mavs had to take game 2.

- Caron Butler needs to have an impact if the Mavs want to make some noise in the West. Butler has been a non-factor so far in the series.

- Until Ivan Drago takes over the Nets Mark Cuban is still the coolest owner in the NBA

(3) Phoenix vs. (6) Portland

- I was shocked watching game 1. I thought with the injury to Brandon Roy was going to be a huge blow to the Blazers and the Suns would cruise through this series, which is still possible. Then Andre Miller showed up. By far the most impressive 1st round performance by someone not named Lebron or Kobe. Miller was doing everything and was all over the court

- Steve Nash is just awesome to watch, especially at the age of 36. Say what you want about his back-to-back MVP’s this guy is no joke or some great white hope of the media. He can play and is still showing everybody why he is still one the best PG’s in the game.

- This seems like a good spot to rag on Reggie Miller. I don’t know what is, but I can’t stand watching a game he announces. I just find something very off putting about his broadcasting style and he really adds no information to the game.

(4) Denver vs. (5) Utah

- Utah has been decimated by injuries and Denver is without George Karl. That’s about it… I really have not seen much of this series so far. I know Illinois’ own Deron Williams turned in a one of hell a performance the other night to even up the series and that Carmelo was awesome in game 1.

- If I am going to write about the NBA Playoffs then maybe I should watch more games. Well, I was side tracked on Saturday because of heading up to a Cubs game. After Saturdays game I can honestly say it could be my last game of the year. This Cubs is bad and is not even worth me investing any time in watching. I mean with the NHL playoffs, NBA playoffs and the World Cup (Yes, the World Cup)kicking off in 50 days I really don’t need baseball outside of fantasy league purposes (which I’ve done a pretty bad job of paying attention to in the early going)

East First Round

(1) Cleveland vs. (8) Chicago

- I agree with Joakim Noah. Cleveland sucks and is desolate place that you only wish upon your worst enemy (The Rock-n-Roll hall of fame is cool).

- Hopefully, this series ends the Vinny Del Negro era. I can’t take much more of “Hey, I’m Italian, I have temper and I can’t coach basketball” I hope someone knocks him and John Paxson (GM years of Pax) on their ass somewhere outside the Berto Center.

- I’ll break down the Cavs a little more in-depth as the playoffs move along

(2) Orlando vs. (7) Charlotte

- Wake me up when this series is over. The only storyline I am interested in is the escapades of Bobcats owner Michael Jordan and runnin buddy Charles Oakley. Those two are like Diggler and Rothchild

(3) Atlanta vs. (6) Milwaukee

- This would have been a great series if Andrew Bogut didn’t pull a Tom Browning a week before the playoffs

- I love The Buck slogan of “Fear the Deer”.

- At the midway point of the season I thought the Hawks could challenge anybody in the East, but after watching Mike Bibby play I don’t think so

(4) Boston vs. (5) Miami

- Boston is old and Kevin Garnett is being exposed as a bitch. Bring back the old Minnesota KG, I miss you

- Keep your on eye on Dwayne Wade’s comments this series. He already stated after game 2 in no certain terms that his teammates suck. Wade is thought to re-sign with the Heat, but after another quick exit in rounf 1 he might be re-thinking his options
(Chicago, eh?)

The soundtrack for this blog entry was provided by Neon Indian, Wale and Echo and the Bunnymen