Ben Simmons is getting paid, but LITERALLY doesn’t know how to shoot a basketball!!
Say bye-bye to J.R. Smith.
Giannis said, “Get your MVP chants out of your system.”
NL MVP?? Christian Yelich or Cody Bellinger??
R.I.P. Pernell Whitaker, one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of all-time.
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The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA!!
Okay, maybe we should pump the brakes a little, but they do have the best record in the NBA. Through 12 games, the Celtics stand at 10-2. After losing their first 2 games, they are winners of 10 in a row. The next closest winning streak is 5 games by the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors (the actual best team in the NBA).
Last night, the shorthanded Celtics hosted the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics were without starting center, Al Horford, as he is in the concussion protocol. They also lost the services of rookie forward, Jayson Tatum, when he left the game in the 2nd quarter after twisting his right ankle. Tatum would not return and was seen in a precautionary walking boot following the game. Despite their injury bug, the Celtics handled the Los Angeles Lakers 107-96.
Yes, the success (or failure) of the Boston Celtics will be about Kyrie Irving. He can dribble, he can shoot, and he can flat out put the ball in the basket. He’s the cornerstone of the franchise at just 25 years old. BUT, Wednesday night was NOT about Kyrie Irving. It was about a man named Aron Baynes. Mr. Baynes, a native of New Zealand, is currently the backup center for the Celtics. With Al Horford sidelined, Baynes was thrust into the starting role, a place he is largely unfamiliar with. Baynes has started just 32 games in his 6-year career. He did not disappoint. Baynes was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 8 of 12 shooting, adding 8 rebounds and 3 assists in just 23 minutes. WOW!!
With Al Horford in the concussion protocol, we’ll have to get used to that thing Baynes calls a hair style. Horford missed 9 games with a concussion last season, so expect the Celtics to play it safe with their ‘113 Million Dollar Man’. As for Tatum, his X-Ray came back negative and is scheduled for an MRI this afternoon. With or without Tatum, the Celtics will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Charlotte Hornets Friday night @ 7:30 P.M. EST.
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As for my Knicks, they laid and egg (112-99). I know, I know, they were without Kristaps Porzingis, but 99 points against the Orlando Magic ain’t gonna cut it. The Magic allow an average of 105.6 points per game. Porzingis sat out the 2nd of back-to-back games due to an injury to his right elbow. Porzingis is dealing with bursitis in his elbow and may require a procedure this coming offseason. Hopefully this doesn’t effect his status for many games this season. 7’3″, with the ability to dribble, shoot, and defend is beautiful, but you can’t score from the trainer’s room.
Porzingis will look to get back on the court Saturday night, as they host the Sacramento Kings @ 8:00 P.M. EST.
Who is the best team in the NBA?? How many games will the Knicks win this season?? Break it all down for me in the comment section below.
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I don’t like turning games off at halftime. While I do love sleep, I prefer overtime thrillers. So, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a dud. Lebron James, a well rested Lebron James, dismissed the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night with a standard playoff performance. Ya know, just another day at the office: 38 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. He’s decceeennttt….
Lebron, as pictured above, might as well have been going through a layup line last night. I must say, I am extremely disappointed in Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Coach Stevens thought it was a good idea to put a combination of Al Horford and Kelly Olynyk on Lebron defensively. How’d that work out for ya?! Coach Stevens should know Lebron wants to attack the basket. And attack the basket he did. Lebron was 7-8 from the field in the first quarter. Seemingly all on uncontested layups right down the middle of the lane. I understand that Lebron is practically as big as a center, but he can’t be guarded by one.
The harsh reality is no one can guard Lebron James, especially from the Celtics roster, but you have to slow him down..at least a little bit. Coach Stevens, even though you didn’t ask, I offer my advice:
You have to put either Jae Crowder or Avery Bradley on Lebron James, and then double Lebron anytime he gets past the free throw line. This will force Lebron to either force a bad shot or pass the ball out to the perimeter. And as good as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are, I’ll take my chances. Crowder is the better option due to his size (6’6″, 235 lbs.), strength, and speed combination. However, Bradley is the Celtics’ best on-ball defender. And while he gives up 6 inches and 70 pounds to Lebron, if he gives Lebron extra space on the perimeter and forces Lebron to shoot (he went 1-6 from 3-point range last night), they may stand a better chance.
The Celtics did NOT stand a chance in Game 1. The final score of 117-104 doesn’t even come close to telling the whole story. At halftime, the Cavaliers took their foot off the pedal, and placed their vehicle in cruise control. Which begs the question: with a 21-point lead with 5 minutes left in the game, why were the Cavalier’s starters still on the floor?! I understand they had just spent the past 10 days resting, but what if Lebron, Kyrie, or Kevin had gotten hurt?? And speaking of rest. I bet all you people debating rest vs. momentum and how much rest is too much rest, are the same people who hit the panic button on the Cavaliers back in January, and again in March, and then again in April. Hey..pssssttt..guess what? Lebron James has been there and done this before. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be just fine.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors haven’t lost a basketball game since 1974. It sure seems that way doesn’t it?? After last night’s drubbing, their historic, 3-peat rematch is one step closer. I can’t wait!!
Will the Cavaliers and Warriors both sweep their way to the NBA Finals? Tell me in the comment section below.
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