Ok this time it’s official!
Mavericks get:
Nets get:
Didn’t the Mavericks try the all-star point guard (Nash) + Dirk combo before? Maybe Avery Johnson will bring something to the table that Don Nelson didn’t in the past. Only time will tell!
So the Celtics have been on an absolute tear of late. Their record, as of today, stands at an impressive 41-9. However, we all kind of saw that coming, didn’t we? Nobody should’ve had any doubts about the Big Three in Boston. But would you have predicted that the Detroit Pistons would be trailing Boston by only 4 games, hot off of a tear of their own? How does a 10-game winning streak sound? I can tell you that the Pistons are one of my favorite teams, and I sure as hell didn’t see it coming. If the cards are played right, can we be anticipating an Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Pistons and the Celtics? If the playoffs were to start today, it would look something like this:
Celtics vs. Sixers:
I love Andre Iguodala, but man the Sixers would get absolutely trampled by the Celtics in this matchup. At least Iggy Pop would be getting some playoff experience, though.
Pistons vs. Nets:
I’ve already shared my thoughts on the Pistons, so I’m not worried about the Pistons being able to pull off a series win against the Nets.
Magic vs. Wizards:
Since we’re pretending the playoffs would be starting today, then both Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas would be injured and therefore the Wizards would only have one major weapon in Antawn Jamison to stand tall against the mighty Magic. This would result in another trample.
Cavs vs. Raptors:
Lebron is developing that killer instinct. I’m not worried about his performance. Though I am worried about the rest of the Cavs. If my inner Miss Cleo serves me correctly, Larry Hughes is going to come out of the gate with a couple of solid performances and then proceed to get injured. So the Cavs are going to need someone else to step up to the plate (as usual) to help Lebron. It’s Booby time now! I’m on the fence with this one.
Hornets vs. Nuggets:
I’m surprised that the Nuggets are the 8th seed right now. I feel that they have more talent than they’re letting on. But not enough to top the Hornets — unless Carmelo Anthony starts to turn it on as if he were Lebron James or Kobe Bryant.
Suns vs. Warriors:
The Warriors upset the living crap out of the Mavericks last year. Can they repeat? Perhaps if they were matched up with the Mavericks again, I’d say probably. But since they’re going head to head with the Suns there’s no chance for the Warriors.
Lakers vs. Mavericks:
If the Mavericks get their trade for Jason Kidd to come through for them, this will be a gooooood series. Hell, it’ll be a good series even if they don’t get Kidd. I feel that both teams would match up very well with each other, even though I feel the Mavericks are under-performing this year. Key players: Dirk & Kobe (obviously). But this year Dirk is going to have to deal with Gasol and vice versa.
Spurs vs. Jazz:
I don’t think the Jazz have enough experience to overcome the Spurs at this point in time. Look for the Spurs to turn it on. You can’t tell me Tony Parker doesn’t want to repeat and get the Finals MVP again with Eva all over him. Though I’m pumped about seeing what Deron Williams is going to do come playoff time.
Whew! That was amazing. I thought for a second that the West’s run in the 4th quarter was going to be the end of the East’s chances of winning the 2008 All-Star game and put my prediction to shame. But then my boy Ray Allen turned it on with three 3-pointers, bringing his game total to five 3-pointers – one shy of the All-Star record of six set by Mark Price.
Allen, puts up the shot…SPLASH! Nothing new. Like he was going to miss anyway. If it weren’t for Ray Allen’s heroics in the 4th quarter, the East wouldn’t have won. It’s because of this that I’ve decided to dub Ray Allen “The Sniper”. But don’t get me wrong, the game wasn’t all about Ray Allen. If it weren’t for Lebron James’ heroics and killer instinct (yes, I believe he’s slowly getting there — it’s only a matter of time) all game long, the East wouldn’t have won. It was these heroics and killer instinct that bagged Lebron All-Star MVP. He totally deserved the award, too.
I feel bad that Kobe didn’t get to play as much as he should have. But at the same time I’m glad — it’s nice to see the East win after being spanked as if they were a step child last year. Kobe definitely would’ve given the East problems had his pinky been in good shape. It should also be noted that Chris Paul is an absolute killer…because he was killing me during that 9-0 run the West had in the 4th. If the West had come out on top I would’ve put my vote in for Chris Paul as All-Star MVP.
One thing I noticed right off the bat was the chemistry between Jason Kidd and Lebron James. It made the thought of Jason Kidd coming to Cleveland resurface in my mind and got me excited like Kenny Smith during a dunk contest. It was so fun to watch those two run the court together — their games just meshed. Perhaps the Cavs will attempt to swing a deal to bring Jason Kidd to Cleveland given the complications that have arisen in the Nets - Mavericks trade. Cross your fingers! I really think this would give the Cavs a major boost towards getting deep into the playoffs this year. I don’t think they can–nor should they–rely on James putting on the performance he did in game 5. Not that he’s not capable of doing so, but even King James can only do so much.