Thoughts on NBA Finals

It’s been a while since I posted an entry here in my site.  The NBA Finals already rolled out and the L.A. Lakers are already up by one game against the Orlando Magic.  Since I already missed covering the playoffs, I guessed I’ll just try my best to write about the Finals as much as I could, though I doubt it because of my internet connection difficulties.  But since I might have a thing or two to say about the Finals, I’ll try my best to post something at least until the Finals is over.

First, Jameer Nelson’s back in the game and I think this can bring some pros and cons with the current play of the Magic.  Nelson missed the latter part of the season leading to the playoffs due to a shoulder injury.  To make up for his supposedly “season-ending” injury, Orlando acquired Rafer Alston.  Without Nelson, Alston made use of the time allotted for him and helped the Magic pile up wins in the post-season, including the ousting of Lebron James and the Cavaliers.  Now that the Magic are deep in the playoffs, (actually in the Finals), Nelson announces his return and puts Magic coach, Stan Van Gundy in a very tricky situation.

There are two situations that can happen once Nelson settles in the lineup and gets into the rotation.  Nelson can either put Magic’s chemistry out of sync, or he can be a spark plug where his team can get an extra boost.

Depending on how Van Gundy handles the situation, Nelson’s return can either make or break Magic’s run for the NBA title.

Second point, I believe Kobe Bryant let it all out on the first game and tallied 40 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.  Kobe will always be Kobe, most especially in the Finals.  Orlando should realize that.  Providing coverage for Kobe should be a main concern for Orlando.  Courtney Lee showed some on-court savvy, but the rookie is clearly no-match against Bryant.  I expect to see more of Mickael Pietrus in the rotation to provide coverage for Bryant.  Dwight Howard might be able to hold the fort in the middle against Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, but once Kobe unleashes hell from the outside, that’s a different story.  Providing as much defense against Kobe should be the main concern for Magic if they intend to win in the series.

That’s about it for now.  I’ll try to come up with something sometime this week.  I have been looking to write something about the Boston Celtics since their playoff exit, but I still haven’t found the time.  One of these days I’ll come up with it, I hope.

Looking forward to a great championship series.  Cheers to all Lakers fans for the game 1 win.

-fouledout

New Jersey Nets: In Review

As much as it hurts to admit it, I guess the season is pretty much over for the (my) New Jersey Nets.  With just a handful of games left and a record of 30-42, I don’t think there’s a chance for them to even finish in the 8^th spot.  When the season started, I conditioned myself that the Nets would finish at least at the 7^th or 8^th spot, but I guess my conservative prediction was inaccurate.  I guess it’s just another year for the Nets.  Next season will come and the season after that and so on.  I just hope that the Nets will find ways to start a season strong and finish it stronger. 

I don’t think the Nets need a major overhaul in their roster, but I think they should shake things a bit.  I think the Devin Harris-Vince Carter tandem is still working so there’s no need to break it up, at least not yet.  The way I see it, the biggest flaw in their game is defence, especially in the paint.  Finding a tough big man to man the middle should be a top concern for the Nets brass.  Brook Lopez is really doing a great job manning the shaded lane and I think he will get better next season.  But aside from him (and Josh Boone) the Nets are pretty much short on big men.

 I think drafting Sean Williams last year was a gamble.  He had a promising game, but I guess that was just it, a promise that was never meant to be fully realized.  Before the draft, Williams had the reputation of being a knuckle-head, and true enough, he was indeed a knuckle-head.  Signing Yi Jinlian was a so-so deal for me.  I’d pick Yi over Williams, but then again, I think there are other players out there better than the two of them.  The Nets should ship either one (or both) of them to get players who can play the 4 and/or 5 positions. The bench depth should also be addressed by the top brass.  They should get a player/s that can take off the pressure from Harris and Carter.  I know it’s easier said than done, but putting up a solid squad which can operate fluidly should be the priority of Nets brass.  As far as the coaching goes, I still have confidence with Lawrence Frank, at least for now.  Oh, one more thing, I guess the Nets should be wiser come draft day.  Top brass should maximize their picks, whatever the results of the lottery would be. 

Win or lose, I’d pretty much stay loyal to the Nets.  I just hope for a better season in November.  That’s all i have right now.  I’ve been tied down with work and school in the last couple of weeks and I haven’t had the time to write here, but I’ll try to squeeze this in my tight schedule.  I really miss watching games and blogging, but my tight schedule is really killing me.  Well anyway, for the people who read this blog (if there’s any), I’ll try to update my blog at least twice or thrice a week. 

And one last thing, please support the Earth Hour.  Turn off your lights for at least an hour.  Every day should be an Earth Day.  Keep it green.

-fouledout

Okafor, Felton Combines for 43, Downs New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets continue to struggle in their home turf as the visiting Charlotte Bobcats handed them another loss at IZOD Center. Bobcats defeated the Nets 95-87 behind Raymond Felton’s 22 points. Emeka Okafor added 21 points, 9 rebounds and two blocks.

New Jersey’s Vince Carter and Devin Harris both struggled in the game. Carter finished the game with only 19 points on 8-21 shooting while Harris only had 14 points on 4-15 shooting.

The addition of Boris Diaw and Raja Bell into their rotation is showing some glimpse of hope for the Bobcats as they won 4 of last five outings. Bell hit all three attempts from the long-distance and finished with 9 points. Diaw chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and seven assists.

The Nets are now 5-11 at IZOD Center this season and 14-15 overall while the Bobcats are 11-19.

-fouledout