Is It Fairness, or Money?

The NBA Finals have moved back to the Format 2-2-1-1-1.  Reasons given? Well the one that stuck out to me was the comment on fairness.  As well the competition factor of it all.  Now for those of you that don't know the 2-3-2 format was adopted back in 1985.  I for being that’s when I was born have been a custom to that format.  Now I really do not think that the 2-2-1-1-1 format will be better than the 2-3-2 format.  I think the fact that the best team (with the best record) being on the other teams floor provides a lot of excitement.  I also think it was a fair format.  Hey you have the best record more than likely in the NBA, which means you are no push over and can handle that pressure very well. 

What I want to know is, what was unfair about the best playing three on the road.  Hey we have seen a lot of series go 4-0, 4-2, 4-1.  And most of the time the best team (on paper) pulls it out anyway. So why are we talking about fairness this is the NBA nothing is fair.  And then there are times when the second best team (on paper) won.  Then were times when teams were evenly matched and things really got interesting then.  But that is what the NBA is all about. 

I think the format 2-2-1-1-1 will still be good for the NBA.  But when it comes to the excitement, entertainment that the Finals brings, I think it will mostly be lost without the 2-3-2 format.  Once again I say it is still the NBA so no matter the format there will be some excitement, entertainment, and drama that the Finals bring.  But unfair is not the correct term to use when we are talking about the NBA or NBA Finals.

In the years of the 2-3-2 there have been 5 game 7’s, there have only been 4 sweeps, 7 Finals have been decided by 5 or more games, and 13 times the series has gone 6 or more games.  And with the favorite or team with the best record winning probably 90- 95% of the time.  So I don’t think this is a question of fairness but rather the Money being the issue. 

Here is the 2-3-2 Format over the years is it really that unfair

85: Lakers 4 vs Celtics 2

86: Celtics 4 vs Rockets 2

87: Lakers 4 vs Celtics 2

88:  Lakers 4 vs Pistons 3

89: Pistons 4 vs Lakers 0

90: Pistons 4 vs Blazers 1

91: Bulls 4 vs Lakers 1

92: Bulls 4 vs Blazers 2

93: Bulls 4 vs Suns 2

94: Rockets 4 vs Knicks 3

95: Rockets 4 vs Magic 0

96: Bulls 4 vs Sonics 2

97: Bulls 4 vs Jazz 2

98: Bulls 4 vs Jazz 2

99: Spurs 4 vs Knicks 1

00: Lakers 4 vs Pacers 2

01: Lakers 4 vs 76ers 1

02: Lakers: 4 vs Nets 0

03: Spurs 4 vs Nets 2

04: Pistons 4 vs Lakers 1

05: Spurs 4 vs Pistons 3

06: Heat 4 vs Mavs. 2

07: Spurs 4 vs Cavs. 0

08: Celtics 4 vs Lakers 2

09: Lakers 4 vs Magic 1

10: Lakers 4 vs Celtics 3

11: Mavs. 4 vs Heat 2

12: Heat 4 vs Thunder 1

13: Heat 4 vs Spurs 3

From Yahoo Sports

Are Things Looking Up?

Well as the dust settles and guys are now signed some stayed the same, some are new fresh faces in much needed places.  Now there are a few teams I believe need to be pointed out for their efforts Good or Bad.

The Pistons this offseason I am pretty sure they wanted to make a big splash in the free agency pool. I don’t know if I would call getting Josh Smith is a big splash.  Well the one thing I can say is that they got their man, also this is probably the best move they have made in a long time, it should help. How much? Only time will tell with that.  They also add Chauncey Billups (who should have never been sent away) back to the team to help out this time in mentoring the young guards, so he will come off the bench. They could have probably done more.  Pistons have a long road back to the championship. Josh Smith and Chauncey Billups is a good step in that direction.

For the Brooklyn Nets in the east they are now top contenders, to a team who showed last season that they are for real.  A new coach and 3 three new players later. The Nets look like they are really for real in the East now.  They wont be in the middle of the pack I can tell you that.  While adding KG, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to fold, with the trade also brought a power struggle to the New York area.  Which in my book as it stands the Nets are in the lead.  What these three veterans bring to the table is wonderful but, can they win and win quick they all won’t be around for long.  But it will be interesting none the least.

The Houston Rockets got their man.  That’s what is great for the organization.  Dwight Howard made his decision to move on to Houston mainly because they would change coaches and they would move on from the Kobe era.  So he felt as if he would be better off with another team.  The Rockets put all their eggs in this one basket to make their team look awesome to get Howard this year; well it worked like a charm.  Now Houston has jumped from the last position in the playoffs to fighting for West supremacy.  I don’t think they will it all right off the back it will be next season, then a again they may not win it all. We will see.

The Clippers is the team that has created the most buzz this offseason quietly, but quickly.  They have made the most strides to get their team over that pesky middle of the road hump, and have now become a top contender in the West.  They keep their main focus and that is Chris Paul.  They hold on to Matt Barnes and Ryan Hollins as well.  But what is so amazing is that the Clippers not only hold on to guys who helped them win last season, but they bring on Darren Collison, Jared Dudley, and JJ Redick to improve the shooting overall the for the team.  This team is scary, scary good can’t wait to see a new and improved lob city get down. 

New York has been a big disappointment in these recent seasons. They have not lived up to the hype.  Melo and Amare cannot play together (not that they don’t like each other) the chemistry just isn’t there between the two of them.  But it seems they are committed to winning though.  They have made some improvements this offseason, like the arrival of World Peace and Andrea Bargnani so I think they will compete but they will lose the battle of New York in my opinion. 

Dallas Mavericks I am going to just come out and say it, what is going on down in Dallas.  Ever sense the championship they won they gone down hill, and it is all given the fact that Mark Cuban has let go of everyone who helped put them over the top there in Dallas.  So where do they go from another disappointing offseason well from the Middle to the bottom at this point.  Now I won’t say that they didn’t acquire some talent this offseason, but also will not say that the talent they did bring on will help them get back to the Championship level they were once at.  The talent they gathered up this offseason Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon, but that won’t be enough.  It will remain to be seen if it works out at all.

The Lakers well what can we say about them, they are in a state of emergency.  The Howard era has come and gone. Thank Goodness!  But one era that should come to an end seems like it will never come to an end, and that is the coaching era of Mike D’Antoni. But despite that they are making strides to improve on a team that has lost the main person they wanted to bring back.  In light of that, they have signed some solid guys to go along with the group they have there. Like Wesley Johnson, Chris Kaman, and Jordan Farmar.  But with that coach nothing is for sure.  He is just not a proven winner.

Miami Heat in ways is still the team to beat.  But they have not made any type of moves to improve that front court.  Without a tougher front court the Heat just may get derailed.  Now that is hard to say since the fact they have won two straight with the same problems up front.  Three will be hard to get without a good solid big man up front.  And not only that you waive arguably your best shooter on the team, and you keep people like Rashard Lewis, James Jones who barely get any time or really produce anything at all.  Starting to think they don’t want to go for three in a row. 

Sports King: WHAT NOW? HEAT!!!!

Sports King: WHAT NOW? HEAT!!!!: WHAT NOW? HEAT!!!! As the NBA Finals are just a couple of days removed from our memories.  As dust has settled on the...

WHAT NOW? HEAT!!!!

WHAT NOW? HEAT!!!!

As the NBA Finals are just a couple of days removed from our memories.  As dust has settled on the at times drama less, and drama filled NBA Finals, we find ourselves wondering what will happen to the two best teams in the NBA.  A lot questions came about in this years finals.  A lot of things left unanswered.  One thing in all this is for certain the HEAT are not the best team around. They still have some growing to do.

            Now lets think about that for a second, the best team in the league, in the nation, in the world.  How can you be the best team and have so many what ifs to fill period.  The Chicago Bulls (of the Jordan Pippen era) did not have questions or what ifs to fill.  In all 6 of their title runs they were a solid team all the way around, dominate, assuring the world they were the best.  The Lakers back in Magic’s days, The Celtics back in Birds days.  All complete and dominate dynasties.  Even the Spurs were in their four rings, and these finals were no different (even though they lost). 

            Now don’t get me wrong yes this offseason the Spurs has some questions and doubts.  But not about their dynasty and how consistently dominate they can be. Heck they own the NBA record for the most consecutive fifty win seasons.  The questions they have about there big three is, do they all feel young enough to give it another go.  Tim Duncan 37, Manu Ginobili 35, Tony Parker 31 (and very beat up). 

            The Heat on the other hand, they are in their prime.  LeBron James 28, Chris Bosh 29, and D Wade 31.  The oldest one in this group when healthy is in the top 5 to top 3 in the league and world.  While hurt he is still in the top ten.  Heat in these finals was clearly the better team they just play like consistently enough.  Should this have gone 7, in my opinion no?  But it did leave even bigger questions about the Miami Heat. The biggest one what to do with the weakest link in there group.  He is not the big you want to carry your team in the frontcourt. They need to get big and strong if they are going to play inconsistently like they did post season.  Chicago when healthy will do more than just pose a threat they will win. If they survive that Indiana will be waiting and the result will be Miami losing. 

            So Miami what are you going to do now, if want a third title answer your questions quick.  For if you stay with this same formula two might be all you get.  Because as you were the better team all around, you still did not perform as if you were. A man who is arguably the greatest power forward Tim Duncan at 37 showed you all at 37 how to dominate the game. All in all congrats Miami Heat. Enjoy!

Not all Romo's Fault

            If it really matters the Cowboys miss the playoffs again.  If they had made it would Tony Romo had done better, or would he had choked again.  Whatever the case we have our answer.  Now I will admit I have never been a fan of the QB, I have been one of his biggest critics since his career started.  I have never thought him to be a playoff or a super bowl type player for that matter.  But I have to digress on the topic of his status and bring some other factors to light about his success or lack there of in the NFL. 

            Factor #1: One since the QB has been in Dallas he has not had the line that really has protected him since being there.  He is more than half the game running for his life in the pocket.  Now his mobility helps him get away from most of it. But what do you expect any QB to do when they have no protection, (just ask Michael Vick) now his big game status is in question, but it is not all on him.

            Factor #2: DALLAS has no running game.  So when a QB has to throw the ball as much as Romo does it hurts the overall team.  Any team at any level needs a solid run game to open up the offense.  Without a running game any QB will suffer the wrath of a sub par career because of it.  Because that means you have throw 90-95% 0f the time, and all the defenses at any level has to do is come up with a ok blitz package and you will have problems all game long.

            Factor #3:  The last and possibly biggest factor of all is defense.  The Cowboys to me does not have the championship caliber style defense that they used to have in the early to mid 90’s that won them a few Super Bowls.  They don’t play the same style defense they had played in those super bowls.  Yeah I am pretty sure it’s not fair to compare these Cowboys to those Cowboys (Smith, Irvin, Troy, Johnston, Newton, Haley), but whom do we compare them to? 

            The final breakdown to me is: the fault falls on the organization more than it does Romo.   Get him some protection, a running game, and get a defense that will dominate in all shapes and forms and lets see what Romo can do then.  Now we (including me) who harp on Rom’s legacy should cut him slack and realize there is more to it than what we see.  Now Romo one thing you can control is your turnovers cut down on them and maybe your luck will change.  Now own your status, accept it, and prove us wrong

NFL Preview

Next I will Preview the NFC North division.  A division that is competitive but has been dominated by the Green Bay Packers.  But games have been very exciting, the Detroit Lions are surging back with a promising future, the Bears are always tough defensively, and the Vikings are trying to find their way period.

Green Bay Packers:  The Packers in 2011 look at times unstoppable, but also at times they also couldn’t stop anybody.  The defense gave up just about as many points as the offense put up.  But when you have Aaron Rogers arguably the best QB in the game right now, your chances are always good so they can get another super bowl, but only if they fix a defense that finished last in total defense a season ago. The season before that the Packers defense finished 5^{th in} total defense, and won the Super Bowl. SO that just proves true that defense wins championships.

Prediction:  The Packers will once again win their division with ease.  But will not win 15 games do to their defense.  The defense will improve but will have to out score just about every opponent like the season before, that will only take them so far especially against teams that have great defenses. 

Result: 12-4 with first week bye in playoffs

Detroit Lions:  What can I say about this team; they have had a big turnaround these last few seasons. Going from not winning a game at all (first time in history), to making the playoffs. This only means one thing the Lions are poised to really cause some problems in their own division let alone the whole league.  This team has become a very good all around team, with a few key pieces missing.  The defense went from being at the bottom of the league (08-09 32^nd) to making good progress to getting that great defense (2010 21^st 2011 23^rd).  The offense under Stafford has made great leaps and bounds to really become a force in the NFC.  In 08 they were 30^th, 09 26^th, 10 17^th, and 11 5^th.  Only behind New Orleans, New England, Philly, and Green Bay.  They will be a force period. They just have to get over the hump of Green Bay and keep getting better on defense.

Prediction:  The Lions will be a force as I stated above, but they still have a few things, a few kinks, to work out that can benefit them.  One they need to lose the bad boy attitude that gives them the wrong image. But they will go far in the playoffs how far only time will tell.

Result:  10-6 wild card berth. 

Chicago Bears:  The Bears will always be a tough team defensively, but offensively they are very inconsistent.  They have some good not great people in certain places.  But if the offense can’t keep the defense fresh and off the field your great defense becomes a good defense, a good defense becomes a poor defense.  So their flaw is the offense.  If this team can’t turn the offense around and make plays, then defense will become a non-factor always on the field.

Prediction:  The bears will finish third in their division again, maybe winning nine games this season, but I don’t expect really anymore than that this season. They will miss the playoffs again. Fix the offense, and it will be and get better.

Result:  9-7, and in the mix of the last wild card playoff spot

Minnesota Vikings:  The Vikings, what can we say?  They are in limbo, a few years ago they were riding high but not are rushing to get their identity back. So running they will do. But the Vikings may need to find a better plan.  Vikings went from being on top of the division in 2008 & 2009, to taking a very slow decent into the basement of the division.  A rookie QB a season ago in Ponder, he did ok.  But ok will not be enough, the passing game will have to come alive in order to get the offense and running game back on track.  For the last four seasons the Vikings have stayed steady in total offense, but they will have to improve a little more. The defense, which has been the lifeblood of this team, had its worst season in four seasons in 2011 finishing around 21^st. after finishing in the top ten from 2008-2010. So this team needs to find a way out of limbo. They have nice long way to go.

Prediction:  I would say the Vikings will finish last but will post at least 2-3 more wins from the season before, which they will make progress and hopefully they can stay on that path.

Result:  6-10 missing the playoff.