Potential Blockbuster

I have heard chatter about a potential trade that would all but lock up the 2010 NBA championship. Chris Bosh is leaving Toronto when this season is over, he wants to play in a bigger market and for a team that will compete. A team like the L.A. Lakers. I have heard of initial talks between the Lakers and Raptors of a trade that would send Bosh west for Andrew Bynum. Toronto doesn't want to let Bosh go after this season and get nothing in return. Getting a player in Bynum, who is yet to reach his prime and provides someone for the Raptors to build around is all Toronto can ask for. So, a Bosh for Bynum deal may happen in the next couple weeks, which would make the Lakers an absolute force. Deep breath. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest and Chris Bosh is an insane five. The risk lies with the Lakers giving up a tremendous talent in Bynum, who will be great for 10 years, for a four month run at a title. Is it worth a ring to get rid of Bynum and watch Bosh leave over the summer? Maybe. Anyway, this trade is interesting and it would also influence the off season. Lots of dominoes fall if this happens.

The New Jersey Nets are heading toward the worst record in the league, which means the likely top pick in the draft. With a new arena being built in the next 3 years, a new russian owner who has deep pockets and the Jay-Z presence lets imagine something... Nets draft John Wall, you pair him with Devin Harris, LeBron James comes this offseason and you pick-up a second tier big and throw in Brook Lopez, all of a sudden the Brooklyn Nets are a top three team in the east for next ten years. Just sayin'.

The Knicks probably are not going to get LeBron. I would obviously love for this to happen, but it is going to be tough. With Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry's contracts clogging the Knicks' ability to get two stars, who on their roster entices James to come to MSG? So I wonder if we need to consider other options...

How to make 41, 10, 8 Look Effortless

A couple years ago I saw LeBron James score 48 points against the Boston Celtics and dunk on Delonte West's face in the same game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm7-QSsIQkQ). He battled with Paul Pierce the entire night (who actually tallied 50 and the victory) in what was one of his best games to that point in his career. Well, last night James showed me again why he, not Kobe, is the best player in the league. Not to mention twice as fun to watch live!

I arrived to the arena early in hopes to watch his laid back pre-game routine that usually consists of some ridiculous dunks, half court swishes and his general swagger with teammates. However, on this night there was no warm-up. James emerged from the locker room just before the sold out arena rose for the National Anthem. He gave daps to his teammates, was introduced to a mixture of applause and boos, and did his now-trademark powder cloud deal. Oh, and he was wearing two different colored sneakers, a blue and an orange to coordinate with the 1990's Cavalier throwback (can I tell you, as a Knick fan, how great he looks in blue and orange by the way). Twelve minutes later James had 20 points on 8-8 shooting and had yet to break a sweat. He got to the rim with ease. Although he has been in the league since 2003, players underestimate his first step. I know Martell Webster isn't a defensive force, but he is a professional basketball player and James just dusted him. All night. Bron finished the first half with 31 and a fifteen point cushion over the Trail Blazers. LBJ would finish the night with 41,10,8 on 13-18 shooting. It was his third time this season going for 40-10.

Cleveland's 106-94 victory last night makes six straight against Portland. Brandon Roy had another great game finishing with 34, going back and forth with James in the second half. I don't know if it is because he plays in Portland or isn't a big media guy, but Roy continues to be one of the more understated players in the league. With that said, when you watch him play a great all around game, get his points, lead his team AND still is an after thought to James... it says something about how good LeBron is becoming. He is the most enjoyable player to watch right now in the L (Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Bryant and Dwayne Wade rank right behind him). Opposing fans may boo him because they feel obligated to, but once the game starts everyone is waiting for his next move. He doesn't complain to refs to the extent Bryant does. I mean he complains, all stars do, but not to the point you want to punch him. He is always looking to pass, has a VERY high basketball IQ and you know all his teammates love playing with him. Unfortunately, these are traits that are hard to find in the majority of stars around the league. But, I guess that's why LeBron is LeBron.

I saw him dunk on Delonte and drop 40+ on two occasions. Next time I see him hopefully he is doing his thing for my blue and orange.

Roy in The Rose too much for Lakers

The Portland Trail Blazers have had great success against the L.A. Lakers in the Rose Garden dating back to 2005. Eight straight wins instilled a confidence and swagger into Blazer fans as Kobe Bryant and the Lakers came to town. "Beat L.A." signs were resting on every seat throughout the sold out arena. Fans also had their own clever signs, which were showcased throughout the evening. For the Laker fans brave enough to show up in purple and yellow, they were booed the entire evening. Coming from New York, Blazer fans earn my respect for their passion and energy.

Most teams don't enjoy playing the best team in the league, others bring their game to the next level. Portlandis one of those teams. Behind Brandon Roy's 32 points on 9-11 shooting, a huge effort from Jerryd Bayless (21 points) off the bench and solid efforts from Andre Miller, Martell Webster and Juwan Howard, the Blazers won easy 107-98. This was an example of the final score not being a true indication of the ease of victory. Bryant finished with 32 to match Roy, but did so on 14-37 shooting. The Blazer defense frustrated Bryant who didn't seem to get to the basket as easy as usual. His jumpers were as smooth as ever and he made a number of plays only he makes, but he also settled for a lot of tough shots. He only took four free throws the entire game, which you know irritated him. It wasn't his night. It was Portland's.

I was unaware of how strongly Portland fans dislike Bryant. They hate him the way Spike Lee hates Reggie Miller. The way Red Sox fans hate Alex Rodriguez. The way Packers fans now hate Brett Favre. Well, Portland hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday night in what should be another high energy game in the Rose Garden. The Blazers will again try to control one of the NBA's elite players in LeBron James, but I have a feeling he will receive a less hostile reception. I do not expect a standing ovation, nor do I expect the barrage of boos. James is a completely opposite personality compared to Bryant, he also plays a very different game. He also isn't in the western conference. Bryant lures you to him with his head fakes and jumpers, then he blows by you once you're off balance. He seldom thinks pass first. James is tremendous without the ball, is constantly looking to incorporate his team and is the best in the league at getting to the bucket. He doesn't need to use the triple head fake, fade away jumper like Bryant does early in most games. I expect James to get the ball on his first possession and drive straight to the rim. That's his game; power and intelligence.

I think Sunday's game will be closer in the fourth quarter, I don't expect Portland to ever be ahead by twenty points. The Cavs have a healthy Shaquille O'neal and Anderson Varejao to bang down low and a slew of guards that can hit 3's. James will match up against Webster who will have his work cut out for him. If the Blazers want to be considered more than a first round playoff team, these are the games they need to continue to show up and play hard in. Sunday should be a good one.

New Plans, Gallo, Missing McCoy, Playoffs

With the mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather apparently off, the Pacquiao camp has turned its attention to a Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KO's) fight on March 13. Clottey last fought against Miguel Cotto, a fight he lost, but many thought he had won. Although Mayweather claims he still wants to fight the Filipino champion, the failed mediation attempt this past Wednesday makes things iffy. This is all still up in the air, but it looks more and more that the fight we are all waiting for isn't happening anytime soon.

Danilo Gallinari played a crucial role in crunch time as the Knicks (15-20) held on against the Charlotte Bobcats last night in the Garden. He finished with 17 points on 5-11 shooting from beyond the arc, with two of those 3's in the final ninety seconds. He has never been scared to shoot and has been told by coach D'Antoni not to second guess his selection. However, earlier in the year he was getting too comfortable taking ridiculous shots. Last night's dagger, a 28-foot, straight away bomb from Gallo iced the game and received a roar from the MSG fans. It also prompted an arms out, "I'm the man" response from the young Italian. Keep it going Gallo!

I watched most of the BCS Championship last night, but missed the first eight minutes of the game. When I finally sat down and saw number 3 for the Long Horns under center I already knew the game was over. Colt McCoy is Texas football. His name is Texas football, his polite demeanour is Texas football and his competitive nature is Texas football. He is the heartbeat of that team and his loss affected the defense as much as it did the offense. Although the Long Horns made a push late and had a chance to tie the game, it was too much to expect true freshman Garrett Gilbert to step into the biggest stage in college football and play at McCoy's level. Its too bad for Texas, but McCoy has to be pretty bummed this morning that his college career ended like it did. I feel bad, he deserved the Vince Young farewell.


I am in Portland, Oregon right now and have tickets for tonight's Blazers/Lakers game. Both teams will be missing key players, but both teams will have their respective stars ready. Last year I was out here and the Blazers played the New Orleans Hornets without Brandon Roy, I am excited to final see one of my favorite players in the L. The Blazers have won eight consecutive home games against L.A. (dates back to 2005) and will try to keep the streak alive against a Lakers team missing Pau Gasol. Kobe Bryant will have to pick up for Gasol's absence, but hopefully not jack up 40 shots to do so. I'd love to see him spread the ball around and get Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum involved. Should be a good time, Portland fans really get behind the Blazers (they are the only professional team in the state). I Hope for a close game that features Roy and Kobe battling for 48 minutes. Oh yea, I got tickets to Friday's game against the Cavaliers. Mamba as an appetizer, King as the main course. Hope Kobe isn't reading this!

Jets are lucky to have made it into the playoffs, don't expect their luck to continue. Cincinnati has dealt with two deaths within the organization and has still played at a high level. Expect Marvin Lewis, Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco to get into round two.

I hate Dallas, love Donavon McNabb and hate Dallas. Eagles win a shootout behind solid effort from McNabb and a couple touchdowns from DeSean Jackson. However, expect a similar effort from the Tony Romo/Miles Austin combo.

I would love to see Baltimore bang around the Patriots in Foxboro and hush those New England fans. However, the Patriots are a different team in the playoffs and the Raven's offense is led by a young quarterback (Joe Flacco) and a talented, but young running back (Ray Rice). Matching those two against Tom Brady and Randy Moss is tough. Yes, the Ravens have an intimidating defense, but Brady doesn't fold easily. The Patriots will have to overcome the unfortunate loss of Wes Welker, whose absence could prove to be a difference.

The final game of the weekend is another rematch from week 17, with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Arizona Cardinals. Last week, Ken Whisenhunt decided to remove Kurt Warner earlier since his team was out of contention for an opening round bye. Packers won 33-7. I understand protecting your key players, you don't want a Welker dilemma. However, now you see the same team again with more momentum and confidence. This game is going to come down to which quarterback shows up. If Aaron Rodgers is on, and he has been most the season(4434/30 td/7 int), the Packers are a machine. However, he (as does Warner) has the ability to get a little sloppy and give points away. Smart ball management and minimizing turnovers (synonyms?) will decide who wins this one.