Season-Opening NBA Hits

DejaVu For The Cavaliers
I'll make this quick on the Cavaliers - they have not improved their personnel over a year ago, when they had a very favorable playoff schedule and LJ went MJ on the Pistons in game #5. We thought they would win 50 in 2006-07 and be a second round out. Ditto for 2007-08.

That A Boy Danny
I give Danny Ainge kudos for having a huge pair. He picked up a couple of all-stars - changing the perception of the Celtics with two swift moves. They should be very competitive and a tough playoff out come April after being together a full season.

Kobe
The most selfish player in the history of the NBA (Kobe Bryant), and perhaps the greatest one-on-one player the league has ever seen, will likely end up in Dallas or Chicago since those clubs seem to have the depth and type of young talent the Lakers crave/need. If he comes east, it might change the complexion of the conference's post-season landscape.

The Finals
Last year - before this columns was up and running - we liked the Spurs over the Pistons in seven. You'll have to trust me on that one. This year, we have decided to insert Celitcs in place of Pistons. The Spurs in six over Boston in 2007-08.

Why?

The Spurs are still very good. And the Celtics have three outstanding players, who can see the end of their careers on the horizon, and will do whatever it takes to compete for a ring. If they stay healthy and get any kind of play, especially at the defensive end from the supporting cast, the East is wide open for them to possibly reach the Finals.

Pretty Boys
You know me by now - I don't like the pretty teams - Dallas, Phoenix, etc.., who score and score and score, accumulate 60+ wins or more in the regular season, look great on television, but don't defend every night (read: too soft). I'm still waiting for one of those teams to win it all. When they do, I'll give them credit for getting it done. Until then, I'm right and the pro pundits are all wrong - again. I must have heard this a dozen times last year from the talking heads on the air - "The Mavs will with it all in 2006-07 because they have improved tremendously on the defensive end."

Right. Some of the same crew thought Kobe could win big in LA without "the Big Deisel."

MVP
LJ should again be the best player in the league this season. Notice I said again. If he can once again get them to 50 wins and carry this bunch deep into the post-season in 2007-08, he's earned it in my book. Again, I can't think of a team in the last 30 years that reached the NBA Finals with less talent than the 2006-07 Cavaliers.

Ode to 23
No recent player has done so much, with so little help, for so long.
R. Jampo

Now my one quick shot at LJ - he should be the best post up player in the game. I heard he worked on that facet of his game over the summer. We'll be watching. He should be unguardable in the blocks. That would help when the jumper isn't falling - which is half the time. It would also save on some of the wear and tear on the body from having to drive to the hole so much.

By the way, picking an MVP because of what they accomplished in the regular season is about the dumbest thing in sports. I never fell for Dirk N. being the best player in the sport last year - even when he was throwing in 30 and grabbing 10 boards in some meaningless regular season game in mid-January. Soft has four letters - DIRK.

There is a world of difference between the NBA in the regular season and playing a quality opponent five/seven times over the course of two weeks in the spring, when they have the opportunity to really game-plan how to lock you down.

Browns/Rams Post-Script
I am not going soft on the Browns. I have gotten several inquiries on this topic. They don't call me "the prince of darkness" for nothing.

Follow me here - All I said was they have a playoff caliber offense right now, good special teams and have been the recipient of a ridiculously easy schedule. Again, if their QB doesn't implode, they should win more than they lose this season based on who is left to play. That doesn't mean they are the 1972 Dolphins - far from it. This Sunday's game will be watched closely. Good teams win at home against the likes of Seattle. Period.

P.S. #2 Did I tell you I can't stand BB? Better yet, did you know Seidel was a vegan? (inside joke).






Who's In The Fianls