2008 NBA FINALS PREVIEW

Half of the 2008 NBA Regular Season has passed and teams on both Eastern and Western Conference have made their significant moves before the trading deadline, a blockbuster trade sending Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami Heat while the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton. On the other side, the Eastern Conference, especially the New Jersey Nets getting Stromile Swift for Jason Collins. Is it safe to say that where the top teams on both Conferences are headed. In the Eastern Conference, Boston Celtics stay atop with a 37-9 win loss record, followed by Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at the third spot. In the wild Western Conference, Phoenix Suns leads the pack with 34-15, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Hornets with identical records of 33-15.

The biggest question right now is who will win the ultimate crown in the National Basketball Association (NBA) by season’s end in June?

Eastern Conference:

Boston Celtics will go the 2008 NBA Finals. Period. We see how the “Big Three” of forwards Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and sweet-shooting guard Ray Allen have changed the once losers in the East to become an instant title contender in a relatively soft Eastern Conference. Boston Celtics might finish the season with a 67-15 record, much better than Dallas Mavericks’ NBA regular season record last year and that will make Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers named the “Coach of the Year”. Boston perennial All-Star Kevin Garnett will lead the Celtics to their winning tradition with the help of Boston forward Paul Pierce and guard Ray Allen, the “Big Three” are considered the most skilled trio in the league. Boston Celtics all need to do is to add a consistent bench support. Eddie House and James Posey are already there but guys like Glen Davis and Tony Allen need to shift on a higher gear and they have NBA Finals written all over them.

 

Lakers vs. Celtics (renewed rivalry)

Western Conference:

This may sound a long shot for MVP candidate Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to go in the 2008 NBA Finals but having the addition of Spanish center Pau Gasol in their lineup makes only the Los Angeles Lakers a formidable team to contend with. Also, the Wild Wild West is likely to live up to its name this year. There is just so much talent that any one of 6 or 7 teams could make it to NBA Finals. Los Angeles Lakers All- Star guard Kobe Bryant will do everything to win, if the Los Angeles Lakers past the second round of the NBA Playoffs, they could potentially go all the way. Lakers have a decent supporting cast with the like of Derek Fisher and budding superstar center Andrew Bynum going back to the line-up and healthy Lamar Odom. Now it is up to these players to perform.

This will be an exciting 2008 NBA FINALS, seeing the two of the most storied professional basketball franchises in National Basketball Association history going up against each other. Indeed, this will be another classic basketball game in the making.

“Constructing the perfect NBA player”

I really like this article written by one my favorite NBA players during his time Kenny “The Jet” Smith, now a columnist for Yahoo! Sports.

I agree with the players he chose especially starting from the first part, which he picked Kobe Bryant, but I beg to disagree on the high-flying act of Josh Smith I’d rather select Vince Carter. Dubbed as “Half Man, Half Amazing”, Vince Carter of the New Jersey Nets can really defy gravity with his amazing dunks and jaw-dropping in-your-face slam dunks.

Enjoy reading for all basketball afficionados!

Here’s the article:

As the New Year arrives and I think of all the greats who have blessed the basketball courts in my era, Michael Jordan is often called the perfect player. If he wasn’t perfect, he was very close. That got me wondering on how to construct the perfect player Frankenstein-style. Which parts of which players would I use?

The first part, which allows the body to function is the heart. This has to come from the player who has no fear of failure and a killer instinct: Kobe Bryant.

The brain obviously is also vital. I need someone who understands his strengths and limitations and also understands his players and coaches to a great degree. That’s Jason Kidd.

Vision helps separate the truly great players from the very good ones. And no one sees the floor quite like Steve Nash.

If this is going to be the perfect player, he shouldn’t lack for athleticism. Not only should he be able to go by people, but also through or over them. Give me LeBron James’ combination of speed, quickness and muscle. There are faster players baseline to baseline than James, but they don’t have his size and leaping ability.

The hops go to Josh Smith. He’s the new-age Dominique Wilkins.

The strength of a basketball player is underrated. Skinny players like Reggie Miller and Rip Hamilton don’t need bulk to dart around screens. But give a player the strength of Dwight Howard and now you have a monster.

The longer the wingspan, the better the ability to grab rebounds, deflect passes and make other plays your opponents can’t make. So give me Kevin Garnett’s reach.

The best players shoot with a quick release. They can get off a shot while their defender is still flatfooted. Which is why I’ll need Ray Allen’s wrists.

Soft hands are essential. You want someone with a good touch who can catch all kinds of passes. That would be Tim Duncan.

The feet give you balance. They help you change direction, tightrope the baseline and stay in front of your man on defense. Give me the feet of Manu Ginobili.

The other parts that make up a great player aren’t as tangible. Like timing. The best shot blockers have great timing. Jump too soon and your opponent can duck into you and draw a foul. Jump too late and you’ll get dunked on. I want the timing of Marcus Camby.

Savvy comes from experience. The most battle-tested players know what to expect before it happens. And few players are more battle-tested than Chauncey Billups.

Patience is important. Great players know when to attack. They know how to set up their opponent with a fake. They don’t rush and they rarely force a bad shot. Is there anymore more patient than Duncan? He’s my first and only two-time part member.

Lastly, no one likes a sore loser or a bad winner. That’s why I value sportsmanship. To be a true winner, you have to be gracious. Like Michael Redd.

Now this is a player who’s truly the sum of his parts.

*This article was written by Kenny Smith of Yahoo! Sports*