Today is a special day for a few reasons. Today was the birthday of Samuel Morse, the creator of the single wire telegraph system and Morse code! Where the hell would this country be without Morse code? I wouldn't have even known it was today if it weren't for Google. I love Google. Today was also the birthday of former U.S. President and war hero, Ulysses S. Grant. Poor Ulysses...the man was never the same after the Panic of 1873. And Black Friday. And the Sanborn Incident. I'd keep going if I didn't think Ulysses was rolling over in his grave right now.
On a lighter note, it's also NBA Hall of Famer George Gerv
"The Iceman's offensive game was silky smooth and one of the best in NBA History."Today's Random Thought from Conor
Gotta love a guy who keeps a pen on him at all times. I encountered one at a restaurant the other night while getting takeout. I was patiently waiting in line, seeming to mind my own business but really watching the transaction that was taking place in front of me. The person in front of me paid by credit card but as the cashier went to hand him a pen, he quickly pushed it away and whipped out his own. I thought to myself "Now here's a guy who's always prepared. Here's a guy who's got it all figured out." Think of how many situations you're in when you need a pen but don't have one. It happens to me quite often. This guy was prepared for any situation thrown at him. I think from now on I'll do the same.
"A man with a plan."NBA Playoffs Preview
by Conor Levis
I figured now that every first round series is already either 3 or 4 games in, I would share my picks for the NBA playoffs. I promise to give what my original predictions were, regardless of how the series have played out so far.
Eastern Conference
First Round
1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8) Detroit Pistons
Lebron and the Cavs are on a mission and Detroit has been a disaster all season long, still feeling the effects of the Billups-Iverson trade. By the way, gotta love the way the Pistons covered up Iverson's obvious behind the scenes blowup with a fake injury. Can you remember another trade of All-Star players that had such an opposite effect on the teams involved? I can't either. We'll be seeing a lot of this from King James in this series, although without as much on the line. Get the brooms out.
Prediction: Cavs in 4
2) Boston Celtics vs. 7) Chicago Bulls
Of the three bottom seeds in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls were the one team that could give the Celtics trouble with their first round matchup. And thanks to Chicago laying an absolute stinker at home to Toronto on the last day of the regular season, the Bulls fell out of the 6 seed and into the 7 spot, while Philadelphia (the easiest opponent for the Celtics) moved up into the 6th. Here is why this series scares me as a Celtics fan...what is the worst possible matchup for an aging, injured, and exhausted veteran club (the Celtics)? A young, athletic team that seems to be hitting their stride at the right time (the Bulls). The single biggest mismatch in this series, size in the front court, works in Chicago's favor. The Celtics will have to rely heavily on Kendrick Perkins and Glen "Big Baby" Davis in the absence of Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe. The Bulls will have a clear advantage on the boards and in the paint defensively with Joakim Noah, Brad Miller, and Tyrus Thomas. In the end though, I'll take the veteran leadership and Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo (3 of the 4 best players in this series). The champs will prevail in a tough series.
Prediction: Celtics in 6
3) Orlando Magic vs. 6) Philadelphia 76ers
Had the Sixers drawn the Celtics I'd say that series would be over in 5. But I like how they match up with Orlando. They can somewhat neutralize Dwight Howard inside and they have guys who can defend the perimeter, a must if you want to stop the Magic's shooters. Plus, Andre Iguodala has shown that he can win a game down the stretch. Philly might be able to steal a game or two and make this an interesting series, but the Magic are just flat out better.
Prediction: Magic in 6
4) Atlanta Hawks vs. 5) Miami Heat
I think this will be the most exciting first round series in the East. You have the best player in the NBA Not Named Lebron in Dwayne Wade going against a talented and deep Hawks team that plays very well at home. These teams are close to evenly matched in my opinion and I have a feeling it would be in the league's best interest to have a Wade vs. Lebron second round matchup. If anyone can make it happen, it's David Stern. But the Hawks are slightly better and the home court is going to be the difference in this series.
Prediction: Hawks in 7
2nd Round
1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 4) Atlanta Hawks
The one team that could put a scare into the Cavs. The Hawks are athletic enough to create some matchup problems in this one. Josh Smith will fearlessly challenge every James drive to the basket. But as long as Lebron is playing like a man possessed, Cleveland will cruise into the ECF.
Prediction: Cavs in 6
2) Boston Celtics vs. 3) Orlando Magic
The Celtics are in for another long series with this matchup. The Celts played the Magic very tough this season without KG, both games coming down to the final possession. The problem is that they don't have an answer inside for Dwight Howard. The one thing I've noticed about this Magic team though is that they lack a killer instinct. Howard tends to disappear in big moments and Stan Van Gundy has officially proven himself as "The Master of Panic" in close games. Not to mention Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are not 100%. With all the focus on how the Celtics are going to contain Howard, I'm asking who on that Orlando team is going to stop the Boston backcourt of Rondo, Allen, and Pierce? The Celtics have too much heart, will make one last stand in the title defense, and will pull this one out at Home in a game 7.
Prediction: Celtics in 7
Eastern Conference Finals
1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
This is where the Celtics run comes to an end. Should KG come back and play in this series it might be a different story. But since it's unclear at this point if he will...I have to go with the obvious choice. Lebron will not be denied in this series as last season is surely going to be fresh on his mind. You simply can't ask Paul Pierce to carry this team offensively and then guard Lebron for 7 games. Not after the energy that will be expended in the two series prior to this one. All of the games played in the last year will start to take a toll on the Celtics and the Cavs will take this one with relative ease.
Prediction: Cavs in 6
Western Conference
1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8) Utah Jazz
This is not a normal 1-8 matchup because of the potential on that Utah team. This is the team that gave LA all they could handle in the postseason last year. But Carlos Boozer is banged up and not playing nearly as well as he was at this point last season. Although I believe the Jazz can win a couple because of their great home crowd and point guard advantage with Deron Williams, Kobe and the Lakers prevail.
Prediction: Lakers in 5
2) Denver Nuggets vs. 7) New Orleans Hornets
This is the best first round matchup in the West and a great PG matchup with Chauncey Billups and Chris Paul. I just love everything I've seen from Denver this year, the Billups trade completely transformed the complexion of the team. New Orleans is clearly better than a 7 seed but there's a reason they are in that slot. They seemed to have quit on Byron Scott. I'll take the team that hasn't quit on their coach.
Prediction: Nuggets in 6
3) San Antonio Spurs vs. 6) Dallas Mavericks
The Spurs are old, undermanned, and seem to be on their last legs. With Manu Ginobbli out, I just don't see it this season. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker can't do it alone. The Mavs are too deep for the Spurs in this series but it doesn't mean they won't go out fighting.
Prediction: Mavs in 7
4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. 5) Houston Rockets
This should be a real fun series to watch. I love this Portland team and Brandon Roy has turned into an assasin in crunch time. But Houston has played extremely well and with a lot of heart since Tracy McGrady went down for the year. The X-Factor in this series is Yao Ming. He will ultimately decide the fate of the Rockets. Portland has no answer for the big man but will he show up or fold under pressure?
Prediction: Rockets in 7
2nd Round
1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 5) Houston Rockets
This would be a very interesting matchup. The Rockets have two great perimeter defenders in Ron Artest and Shane Battier who could make life tough for Kobe in this series. When it comes down to it though, the Lakers just have too many weapons. I think Trevor Ariza plays a big role in this series win.
Prediction: Lakers in 6
2) Denver Nuggets vs. 6) Dallas Mavericks
In the playoffs when you have two teams as evenly matched as these two are, it comes down to which team has the guy who will step up when it matters most. I'm not entirely sure that Dirk Nowitzki has fully recovered psychologically from not just the 2006 NBA Finals, but also the 2007 choke job against the 8 seeded Golden State Warriors. Chauncey Billups was dubbed "Mr. Big Shot" for a reason. He's been here before and he has been nothing less than spectacular all season long, bringing out the best in guys like Kenyon Martin and JR Smith. He and Carmelo Anthony will come up big in this series.
Prediction: Nuggets in 6
Western Conference Finals
1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 2) Denver Nuggets
This one has been decided for a while now. The Lakers were the best team in the West all season long and by a good margin. There's a reason for that. No team is more balanced and no team has more to prove after what happened to them last June. That's the way they've played all season. It's going to pay off because Kobe, Pau Gasol, and Co. are going back to the Finals.
Prediction: Lakers in 7
NBA Finals
1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 1) Los Angeles Lakers
It's the matchup the NBA has wanted all along. It only seems like destiny now. Much like Boston and LA last season, who isn't going to watch Lebron vs. Kobe? There's more than just one title on the line here if you catch my drift. There's bragging rights and the best-in-game debate will be settled once and for all.
Lebron James has been the NBA's best player. It was one of the most dominant individual seasons ever and he's played with a passion that we haven't seen in this league for a long time. It's just been his year and he's not going to stop until the goal is reached.
Prediction: Cavs in 7
Finals MVP: Lebron James
"It's just been his year."
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