Sunday, May 25, 2008

Lakers should beat Spurs, they must

The Lakers used to be my team. But once Magic Johnson retired I lost interest. Showtime was gone and what did we have to look forward to? Sedale Threatt?

Hey I'm not knocking Sedale but he was no Earvin Magic, nor was he Byron Scott for that matter. The Lakers plodded along, Kobe came onto the scene, then Shaq, and basically the wheels fell off if you ask me. Yeh they won a few championships but it never inspired me the way the 1980s Lakers did.

I moved on, sometimes supporting random teams, mostly cheering for good West Coast basketball such as that played by the current Golden State Warriors or the now busted up Phoenix Suns.

To my delight, however, the Lakers are back. They're in the Western Conference Finals and dare I say it, their basketball is attractive - perhaps even inspirational at times. Kobe is finally sharing - big change. The role players are fulfilling expectations and it's almost as if Jack Nicholson's unwavering loyalty is starting to pay off. Good for you Jack.

But unfortunately, the Lakers lost to the Spurs in Game 3 today and I'm starting to wonder whether it's all a sham. It might just be a whole lot of hocus pocus - Kobe style - in which a team that looks positively brilliant could unhinge at any time. I don't know what to think anymore. I'm not back on the L.A. bandwagon by any means, but more than ever we need the purple and gold to knock off the most boring team in basketball. Don't we?

God speed to you Lakers. This is your series...for old times sake.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Celtics win series but have no time to relax

With the Celtics dramatic Game 7 win over the Cavs, it's time to turn our attention to the upcoming Conference Finals.

Here are the facts:

The Cs needed a monster effort from Paul Pierce to conquer a sub-par Cavs team.

Ray Allen was absent in this past series, culminating in his four points in Game 7.

The Pistons will have a week's rest and Chauncy Billups' leg injury will be ready.

Here is the prediction:

Billups will control the series.

Rip Hamilton will score in bundles because who's going to stay with him?

Rasheed Wallace will step up and nullify The Big Ticket.

Here's the summary:

The Big Three are up the creek!

Sunday, May 11, 2008


The Utah Jazz are money

The Utah Jazz are pushing the Western Conference favourites and it's startling. The L.A. Lakers should be winning and winning everything comfortably in my view. They have the game's best player in Kobe Bryant, fantastic backcourt support in Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar, as well as the most versatile big man in the game, Pau Gasol. Throw in one of the NBA's greatest ever coaches (plus the world's most popular pro hoops dance team) and well, what excuse is there to lose?

None. Now it's 2-2 in the series.

The Lakers are stunning to watch when it all works; when they feed Gasol and he then returns the ball to Kobe who drives and kicks it to Fish for a three. As Chick Hearn used to say, "That's Laker - Showtime - basketball."

But there's a feeling one gets, kind of like that unsettling rumble in your stomach after a bad Vindaloo, that perhaps these Lakers can be rattled - that when push comes to shove, the tougher, more bruising Jazz have L.A.'s number. They are just such a well-rounded unit, highly underrated, and their execution is superb.

Carlos Boozer, for instance, rampages through the lane like a grizzly in the Wasatch Mountains. And when he's active on the boards you wonder if the defense can cope with his size. He's swatting loose balls with his giant paws. He's like a big bear man...with fangs. He's so money and he doesn't even know it.

Sure Boozer can fade in and out of games but he's a menace when he wants to be. Teamed with point guard sensation Deron Williams, the Jazz are a force to be reckoned with. Yes, Williams scores masses of points but look at his assists (14 in Game 4). People in Salt Lake are starting to ask John who?

There's every chance this Utah squad can take down the Lakers. It's going to be hard work in L.A. but then whoever said making it in Hollywood was easy? It certainly seems achievable this time.

Monday, May 05, 2008




















Is this the best sports
cover ever or what?


Saturday, May 03, 2008




Atlanta looking peachy

Ray Allen has always been one of my favourite basketball players...BUT...I can't help but jump onto the Atlanta Hawks bandwagon right now. Those guys are awesome and Game 7 in Boston will go off no matter what happens. This could be the biggest upset in NBA history.

Let's go Hawks!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

















Cubs for sale?

The Cubbies crushed the Brewers today 19-5...it was brutal. But more disturbing than Milwaukee's pitching was seeing Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban in the stands wearing a Cubs jacket and assessing the prospect of Chicago ownership.

Say it isn't so. Cuban Baseball? In Chicago? At Wrigley? Why? What about the Mavs buddy? The team just got bounced in the first round of the playoffs and "parted ways" with coach Avery Johnson. I think there's more work to be done in Texas. Surely.

But then again, with great payers like Reed Johnson in the Cubs line-up it'd be hard for any millionaire not to reach into his back pocket and make an offer. I mean check out Reed's socks for crying out loud!

Old school cool. Why did Toronto ever let him go?