Basketball

The most recent development in the Lebron James free agent saga is the chatter about a possible new head coach in Tom Izzo joining the Cavs next season. I had planned on waiting to write about this issue until after July 1 had rolled around but I figure now might be a good time to share my opinion the topic of Lebron and his future in the NBA. You see I have been a Lebron James fan ever since I saw him play in high school against Carmelo Anthony on ESPN when James was a junior and melo a senior, so I have a soft side for the guy but I think he might be a bit of a liar.

You see Lebron has said all along that the decision he makes will be about winning championships in the NBA, but I think we all know that money talks and bullshit walks, right? Come July 1 2010 the Cleveland Cavaliers will be able to offer James a salary in excess of 120 million dollars, whereas the most any other team could offer James is right around the 100 million dollar mark. Now in my opinion theirs nothing more that you can do with 120 million as opposed to 100 million, but then again im not spending or making that kind of money so I can only assume. Would Lebron really be willing to walk away from an extra 30 million? The jury will be out for at least another month or so, but I think not and I will tell you why.

First off we all known that Lebron was born and raised in Ohio and thus his loyalty rests with the folks of that great state. Now unless he is a complete bullshitter he is sticking to his loyalty schpiel and I honestly have no reason not to believe him. Next, you look at whats happening behind the scenes in Cleveland and you really wonder how silent of a partner Lebron really is. I mean usually when the owner comes on camera and says “This player had nothing to do with this coaches firing” it usually filters through the BS meter as  “Our star though this guy sucked and now hes gone”. I would find it believe that Mr. Gilbert (Cavs Owner) is doing all this on his own and is not being given any friendly advice by Lebron. In all honesty I do not think Lebron has any true interest in leaving the team, and as long as it is molded around him and what he wants he will justify it in order to keep all of his money.

As for Tom Izzo and his possible transfer to the Cavs I think that would be as much a shame as Pete Carrol going to the Seahawks. Those are two coaches that are, or in Carrols case were staples at their institutions for many years. The prime recruiting tool for young talent, and mentors to young men many of whom are now playing at the next level. I think he should stay put, but then again its hard to snub 30 million over 5 years.

NO matter what we are talking about in sports, whether it be Lebron, the NCAA, Pete Carrol or anyone else in between it all comes down to one thing M-O-N-E-Y.

Although I do not consider myself much of an NBA fan (more of an NCAA buff) I am looking forward to the game five tonight at 8PM est on ABC. The game itself is rather intriguing both for the fact that it is a tie 2-2 series, but also because the Celtic’s Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace are in serious foul trouble. Both players have accumulated six technical fouls thus far and per NBA rule, if you accumulate 7 you are suspended for the following game. Although I would expect these guys to tighten up a bit for these next couple games, you have to acknowledge their track record and realize that loosing them would be a possibility for the celtics.

That being said, I have a funny feeling that who ever wins tonight’s game 5 will also go on to win the series, and considering the location Im going to give an edge to the Celtics. I realize that we are talking about two very good teams here, but the Celtics big 3 have not managed to put up a solid game together. Surely Pierce has had his game, Allen his, and Garnett his, but when these three come together and have a breakout game together, Im not sure the Lakers will have an answer. Also, considering the fact that Bynum is having some serious knee trouble which could limit his playing time and give the Lakers trouble late if Odom or Gasol get into foul trouble.

Its hard to deny the fact however that Kobe Bryant plays for the Lakers and although im a skeptic many would call him the best of all time. I for one will save my comments on the Bryant, Jordan and James argument until after I see where Lebron is heading this upcoming season, but I digress. When looking at the game tonight and Boston at -2.5 I think you have to go with them if for no other reason than to make the game exciting. If your feeling really confident in the Celtics winning tonight, I think you have to get them as an underdog to win the title before tonights tip.

It will be an exciting game and I look forward to discussing it with you all after it concludes.

If you look at the cumulative stat sheet for the Boston Celtics throughout the 2010 NBA playoffs it is apparent they play team basketball.  Every series leading up to the classic rivalry the Celtics utilized every essential player to secure victories against the star studded lineups of the Heat, Cavaliers,  and Magic.  Be it Tony Allen attacking the paint, Nate Robinson’s’ enthusiasm from the bench, or the sweet jump shot of Ray Allen’s, that has tortured opposing defenders for years.

In the first three games of the Finals foul trouble has broken up player rhythms and has disallowed Kevin Garnett (Game 1 and 2) and Ray Allen (Game 3) to establish any type of flow.  After game 3 Doc Rivers aired his frustration towards the tight officiating saying, “Every game so far, we’ve had one of our top players in foul trouble.”  When one of the big three are forced to sit, the team basketball the Celtics pride themselves is irrelevant.  The ability for each person on the court to establish a flow is critical for the success for any team.  Unfortunately the Celtics have seen one of their key players in early foul trouble in each of the first three games of the Finals.

The only consistency through three games is they are constantly in foul trouble.  Even in the their loan win they needed one of the best Finals performances ever by Ray Allen to escape from L.A. with a tied series.  For the Celtics to have a chance in game four or the rest of the series they need Garnett, Pierce, and Allen to average around 38 to 45 minutes a game throughout the rest of the series.  For that to happen they need to out work L.A. and put themselves in better positions defensively to avoid ticky tacky foul calls.  If in the next two games the Celtics big three develop a rhythm with in the first five minutes and add in the stellar play of Rondo, we could see the Celtics from the Magic series finally show up.  However that doesn’t mean a guaranteed series victory for the Celtics, because personally I feel if the Laker’s play their best game and the Celtics play their best game, the Laker’s will repeat as champions.  We know there will not be a perfect game and both teams are going to have to fight adversity.

The players still need to play well, even if the officiating is perfect Paul Pierce can not have another game 2 performance.  I have skeptasism if he can just play basketball and keep Ron Artest out of his head.  If there was a time to play smart basketball I think it would be a good time for the Celtics to practice what they preach.  Ultimatley the Celtics biggs need to play the way they did the previous series, being more physical making it tough for the more skilled biggs of the Lakers to establish a sense of comfortability during the game.  Game four is going to be very compelling and I will make sure I am able to give my thoughts on the changes and adjustments of both the Lakers and Celtics for the rest of the series.