The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided to fire head coach Mike Brown, after they failed to reach the NBA Finals as a #1 seed for the second straight season. The Cavaliers were thoroughly beaten by the Boston Celtics in the 2nd round, in which superstar F Lebron James looked disinterested the final three games. The Cavaliers have constantly made moves in order to get James what he needs to contend for a championship. However, after James seventh season, he does not have a championship as he enters free agency.
Brown had a very good record for the Cavaliers, but I don't think that proved that he was a good coach. Many basketball analysts credited Brown with the success of the Cavaliers, when he won Coach of the Year last season. The Cavaliers won 66 games that season, but lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. There is no telling who the Cavaliers will hire as their next head coach, but it will be difficult because many candidates will probably decide based on whether James returns to the team.
In his time with the Cavaliers, Brown has been one of those coaches who have been "superstar watchers." Brown didn't have to do much with the Cavaliers to be successful. Brown only seemed to remind his team of hustle, and didn't know how to coach X's and O's. The Cavaliers can replace Brown with Tim Floyd, who was horrible with the Chicago Bulls after Michael Jordan retired, and he'll do a good job with James. Time and time again, James has carried a subpar basketball team to great heights. The credit should go to James, and the blame shouldn't go to Brown because he wasn't a good coach to begin with.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Sealy Still Remembered
It's hard to believe that it has been ten years since the untimely death of Minnesota Timberwolves F Malik Sealy. I remember watching the playoffs on NBC when Hannah Storm, now a Sportscenter anchor on ESPN, broke the news. Sealy wasn't a star on the Timberwolves, but he was well beloved in New York City, and his death came as a shock to most basketball fans in New York. Most people wouldn't know Sealy personally, but he has never displayed bad behavior that we know of. As a matter of fact, Sealy showed complete restraint when he was disrespected by radio personality Don Imus more than 15 years ago.
Sealy was good friends with Timberwolves star F Kevin Garnett. Actually, Sealy was driving home from Garnett's birthday party when he was struck head-on by another vehicle that was traveling on the wrong side of the highway. Garnett, usually an emotional individual, showed just how he felt about Sealy in a recent Sportscenter interview about the decade anniversary of the death. Garnett broke down when talking about Sealy.
The more troubling thing was the person who struck Sealy. Souksangouane Phengsene was the guy who was way over the influence of alcohol when he struck Sealy. After doing several years for it, he's been arrested for the same thing on several more occasions. He is currently in the midst of an eight-year prison sentence because of his latest DUI incident, which occurred in 2008.
Sealy, who was a standout at St. John's, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 1992 NBA Draft. He played two seasons for the Pacers, and then played for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Detroit Pistons for the next four seasons. He then went to the Timberwolves in 1998, and played a couple of seasons before his untimely death at the age of 30. There is a certain connection with basketball players from New York City. Sealy will always be connected to the greats of the city.
Sealy was good friends with Timberwolves star F Kevin Garnett. Actually, Sealy was driving home from Garnett's birthday party when he was struck head-on by another vehicle that was traveling on the wrong side of the highway. Garnett, usually an emotional individual, showed just how he felt about Sealy in a recent Sportscenter interview about the decade anniversary of the death. Garnett broke down when talking about Sealy.
The more troubling thing was the person who struck Sealy. Souksangouane Phengsene was the guy who was way over the influence of alcohol when he struck Sealy. After doing several years for it, he's been arrested for the same thing on several more occasions. He is currently in the midst of an eight-year prison sentence because of his latest DUI incident, which occurred in 2008.
Sealy, who was a standout at St. John's, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 1992 NBA Draft. He played two seasons for the Pacers, and then played for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Detroit Pistons for the next four seasons. He then went to the Timberwolves in 1998, and played a couple of seasons before his untimely death at the age of 30. There is a certain connection with basketball players from New York City. Sealy will always be connected to the greats of the city.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Lebron, Cavs Exit
The Cleveland Cavaliers season came to an end last night when they lost to the Boston Celtics 94-85. The Celtics advances to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in the past three seasons, and the future of Cavaliers F Lebron James will be the hot topic of the offseason. James had a triple-double, but also had nine turnovers, and seemed disinterested once again, as the team fell short. The Cavaliers have become the second team in NBA history to have consecutive 60-win seasons without an appearance in the NBA Finals. The 1972 and 1973 Milwaukee Bucks were the other team to do that. The Celtics will play the Orlando Magic in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals, when the Magic won in seven games en route to the NBA Finals.
The performance from James have raised eyebrows from many NBA fans across the country, and it also leaves people wondering if he wants to be in Cleveland anymore. Even though James did have a good game statistically, he didn't show any interest in putting his team on his back and winning the game in the fourth quarter. He committed many turnovers, and on occasion, deferred to G Mo Williams on running the offense in the fourth quarter, which is unlike James.
This may have been a protest for James, stating that he knows there aren't enough pieces on the team to win a championship. C Shaquille O'Neal also has an uncertain future, and I believe James choice will affect O'Neal. James will have a decision to make. The Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks will be heavily pursuing James, and there is also the real possibility that he returns to Cleveland. The Cavaliers, under the collective bargaining agreement, can offer James the most money. However, if one of these three teams sign another max free agent player, that might lure James to that team for the possibility of winning a championship. For now, we'll have to enjoy the rest of the NBA playoffs, and then see what happens in the offseason.
The performance from James have raised eyebrows from many NBA fans across the country, and it also leaves people wondering if he wants to be in Cleveland anymore. Even though James did have a good game statistically, he didn't show any interest in putting his team on his back and winning the game in the fourth quarter. He committed many turnovers, and on occasion, deferred to G Mo Williams on running the offense in the fourth quarter, which is unlike James.
This may have been a protest for James, stating that he knows there aren't enough pieces on the team to win a championship. C Shaquille O'Neal also has an uncertain future, and I believe James choice will affect O'Neal. James will have a decision to make. The Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks will be heavily pursuing James, and there is also the real possibility that he returns to Cleveland. The Cavaliers, under the collective bargaining agreement, can offer James the most money. However, if one of these three teams sign another max free agent player, that might lure James to that team for the possibility of winning a championship. For now, we'll have to enjoy the rest of the NBA playoffs, and then see what happens in the offseason.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Walker Attempting Comeback
University of Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino said that F Antoine Walker was working out with some of the college players, and he is attempting a comeback to the NBA. Pitino coached Walker in the 1990s with the University of Kentucky. Walker was a three-time All Star for the Boston Celtics, and won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Walker last played in the NBA during the 2007-2008 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is only 33 years old.
It is known that Walker has heavy financial debts, something that has become too commonplace among NBA players. Walker played professional basketball in Puerto Rico this past year, but wants NBA millions. Walker was accused of writing bad checks to a Las Vegas casino. He agreed to pay them fully. Walker was a part of an Outside the Lines piece about NBA players going into debt. He described his lifestyle, which included many cars and a big entourage. He explains that when he needs them now, they are nowhere to be found.
The best thing to do when you begin making NBA millions is to eliminate your entourage. They aren't there because they are supporting you through your NBA career. They are there to get some of that money, and that can put people in trouble. Pitino says Walker will talk to his players about those dangers, hoping that his life will be a lesson to his players who will eventually go to the NBA.
F Scottie Pippen, who will be inducted into the Basketball Hall-of-Fame this year, is also in heavy financial debt because of bad business deals. When players have NBA millions, they don't have to do much with it. If you're a smart business person, then it'll be logical to turn your money into much more. However, everyone does not have the business smarts, so they should just save their money. Once NBA players retire, they'll be set for life, and their kids will be as well.
It is known that Walker has heavy financial debts, something that has become too commonplace among NBA players. Walker played professional basketball in Puerto Rico this past year, but wants NBA millions. Walker was accused of writing bad checks to a Las Vegas casino. He agreed to pay them fully. Walker was a part of an Outside the Lines piece about NBA players going into debt. He described his lifestyle, which included many cars and a big entourage. He explains that when he needs them now, they are nowhere to be found.
The best thing to do when you begin making NBA millions is to eliminate your entourage. They aren't there because they are supporting you through your NBA career. They are there to get some of that money, and that can put people in trouble. Pitino says Walker will talk to his players about those dangers, hoping that his life will be a lesson to his players who will eventually go to the NBA.
F Scottie Pippen, who will be inducted into the Basketball Hall-of-Fame this year, is also in heavy financial debt because of bad business deals. When players have NBA millions, they don't have to do much with it. If you're a smart business person, then it'll be logical to turn your money into much more. However, everyone does not have the business smarts, so they should just save their money. Once NBA players retire, they'll be set for life, and their kids will be as well.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Cavs Take Game 1, Hawks Win Series
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Boston Celtics Saturday night in Game 1 of the 2nd round 101-93, after the Celtics held a lead for the majority of the game. F Lebron James didn't look as explosive as he normally does, clearly being bothered by that bum elbow. It was the play of G Mo Williams that sparked the Cavaliers comeback in the 3rd quarter. 14 of Williams 20 points came in that 3rd quarter, which included a dunk over F Paul Pierce that fired him up and the rest of the team. With the Cavs in early control of the series, they'll look to hold on to their home-court advantage in Game 2 on Monday.
The Atlanta Hawks wrapped up their 1st round series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a resounding 95-74 victory. The Bucks had a chance to close out the series at home on Friday night, when they were up 3-2. However, they came with their worst offensive game, only scoring 69 points at home. The Hawks pounced on them early, not giving them any signs of life in Game 7. G Jamal Crawford led the Hawks with 22 points off the bench, and G Brandon Jennings only scored 15 points, but led the Bucks in scoring. The Hawks will now play the Orlando Magic in the 2nd round, which will start on Tuesday.
The Celtics certainly competed with the Cavaliers, to my surprise. However, if James elbow continues to bother him, that could give the Celtics some hope in staying in contention in this series. This series, contrary to what many analysts have said, shouldn't go more than 5 games. The Celtics are no match for the Cavs. For the Hawks/Magic series, the Magic should win that series as well. The Hawks have shown that they are only middle-of-the-pack. The Magic is far superior than the Hawks, and the Hawks' lack of half-court offense will doom them in this series.
For the Celtics, this could be the last competitive run. G Ray Allen and Pierce are free agents after the season, and there's no telling what they'll do. The Celtics do have F Kevin Garnett and G Rajon Rondo, but those guys aren't able to get anywhere without Pierce and Allen. Garnett is also showing signs of slowing down, which would only leave Rondo as the only reliable player. We'll have to see what happens, however, in the future.
The Atlanta Hawks wrapped up their 1st round series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a resounding 95-74 victory. The Bucks had a chance to close out the series at home on Friday night, when they were up 3-2. However, they came with their worst offensive game, only scoring 69 points at home. The Hawks pounced on them early, not giving them any signs of life in Game 7. G Jamal Crawford led the Hawks with 22 points off the bench, and G Brandon Jennings only scored 15 points, but led the Bucks in scoring. The Hawks will now play the Orlando Magic in the 2nd round, which will start on Tuesday.
The Celtics certainly competed with the Cavaliers, to my surprise. However, if James elbow continues to bother him, that could give the Celtics some hope in staying in contention in this series. This series, contrary to what many analysts have said, shouldn't go more than 5 games. The Celtics are no match for the Cavs. For the Hawks/Magic series, the Magic should win that series as well. The Hawks have shown that they are only middle-of-the-pack. The Magic is far superior than the Hawks, and the Hawks' lack of half-court offense will doom them in this series.
For the Celtics, this could be the last competitive run. G Ray Allen and Pierce are free agents after the season, and there's no telling what they'll do. The Celtics do have F Kevin Garnett and G Rajon Rondo, but those guys aren't able to get anywhere without Pierce and Allen. Garnett is also showing signs of slowing down, which would only leave Rondo as the only reliable player. We'll have to see what happens, however, in the future.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)