Here we go again, Detroit versus Pittsburgh, part two. Last season’s Stanley Cup Final was entertaining enough, and this time around, the Final should be even better. From last season’s Final, both teams have improved to become powerhouse teams, and pretty much unstoppable in these playoffs.
The Red Wings have lost just four games in winning three series, and did it in convincing fashion. The Penguins took an almost similar route, losing just five games, and got better as the playoffs progressed.
In the Western Final, the young and hungry Blackhawks looked poised to upset the Red Wings, but got schooled and spanked, in an extremely easy five game series. The play of Chris Osgood was good enough to shut some critics up, but not all of them. If the Wings are to be victorious in the Final, he should get plenty of consideration in being named the Conn Smythe winner.
The Penguins also disposed of their opponents in a cakewalk and stunned the Cinderella story Hurricanes in a four game sweep. The dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin was unreal, and they easily carried the Penguins into the Final.
With both these teams playing at such high levels, something has got to give and which team will be the first to blink, in this clash of the titans?
Goaltending, last season the Red Wings had the edge because Chris Osgood had two Stanley Cup rings and more experience than his counterpart Marc-Andre Fleury. This time around, the odds should be the same, because Osgood has played some great hockey, and Fleury was excellent as well. Look for Fleury to really put up some spectacular numbers and saves as he looks to avenge last season’s loss. The edge in this series is a draw, because both goaltenders are playing solid hockey, but it will come down to which ever team has the best defense in front of him.
The edge there goes to the Red Wings. By far they have a way better defense than the Penguins. Detroit just have more reliable and been there done that type of defensemen. The Red Wings will be led by Nicklas Lidstrom, who is as steady as they come. Nicklas Kronwall has played with a very physical edge to his game, and will be intimidating to opponents coming down the wing. Brad Stuart and Brian Rafalski have both provided excellent two way play and a strong first pass out of the zone.
Easily, those two players are a top defensive pair on any other team in the league.
As for the Penguins, their two best defensemen are Sergei Gonchar and Kris
Letang, and they are no slouches when it comes down to game time. But beyond them, the likes of Phillipe Boucher and Hal Gill are weak. There is no way those two will be able to contain the high caliber of players the Red Wings have over a seven game series. The Penguins basically have the same defensive core as last season, and they got schooled.
Offensively, there should be a lot of it from both sides depending on which defense really steps up first, the Red Wings are light years ahead of the Penguins. That is a bold statement, no doubt, but can the Penguins consistently roll four lines like the Red Wings, and trust those players? Yeah, the Penguins have Crosby and Malkin, but Malkin can be stopped. Sidney Crosby has a look in his eyes and cannot be stopped. Malkin on the other hand, doesn’t have that look or the desire to really win and can easily be stopped. With the defense the Red Wings have in place, stopping Malkin will be a piece of cake, and they can skate off with the Stanley Cup.
The Red Wings’ offense is top notch, led by Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa, Johan Franzen, Dan Cleary, Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk. Basically, the Red Wings can confidently roll with four lines. The same offense that beat the Penguins last season is back, plus forty goal scorer in Marian Hossa, and he could potentially make a great contribution and difference.
In the end, the Red Wings are a better team on paper and on the ice. They also have more depth and a better supporting cast than the Penguins. Really if you think about it, the Red Wings sort of don’t have a supporting cast because that’s how good their players are, they all contribute on a consistent basis, unlike the Penguins’ roster. Another deciding factor is behind the benches. Mike Babcock is a way better coach than Dan Bylsma and in last season’s Final Michel Therrien was so out-coached that that was the beginning of the end for him.
Lastly, the Red Wings once again have home ice advantage and that will play a huge part in this series, and will be the deciding factor in the Red Wings’ favour. In these playoffs the Red Wings have lost just one game in Detroit, but the Penguins are 6-3 on the road. Still, the Red Wings are a stronger and much better team than the Penguins.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE DETROIT RED WINGS WILL REPEAT AS STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS BY DEFEATING THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS IN EITHER 5 OR 7 GAMES.
*THE ONLY WAY THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS WILL WIN THE STANLEY CUP IS IF THEY WIN GAME 1 AND BE PERFECT ON HOME ICE.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2009 NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (1) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS vs. ORLANDO MAGIC (3)
12-0 is what the Cavaliers are looking to do en route to their second Finals appearance in four years. That soon to be remarkable run will probably come to fruition, because the Cavaliers are on a path of destruction, and the Magic will just be another victim. There is no way the Magic could win this series, or last beyond five games.
First the rest factor, the Cavaliers have had a lot of it, and the Magic haven’t. The Magic are coming off a seven game series win over the defending champion Celtics, and will have had just two days of rest. Whereas the Cavaliers have had over eight days of rest, and are a well rested machine.
Cleveland’s LeBron James is the best player on the planet right now, and no one can stop or limit him. He is pretty much a perfect player that can lead a team to wins, change the game dramatically with one big play, can pass the ball like a point guard, and most of all he has matured very quickly, and knows what it takes to win. That’s all the Cavaliers have been doing, playing the minimum amount of games, and sweeping both series they have played.
The rest of the Cleveland team have played their part well, and have provided LeBron with strong secondary scoring. Even though LeBron’s team mates know how good he is, they still play at a high level, and want to win as mush as he does. Of course we all know how important LeBron is to the Cavaliers, and without they would pretty much suck. Again, LeBron has entered his prime early in his career, and won’t be stopped until he retires. With that, the Magic are no match for the Cavaliers, and will promptly be ousted in four to five games. If the Magic could pull out two wins, they should be proud of that and take that to the bank.
Now on to the Magic, they are like dead men walking in one of those old prison movies, where you know what is going to happen to the bad guys. In this case, the Magic will be the victim to the beating the Cavaliers will lay on them. The Magic did show a lot of guts beating Boston, which included winning games one and seven on the road. The Cavaliers haven’t lost a game at home in these playoffs, and just two the whole year. So, the Magic will struggle on the road in Cleveland. That swagger they obtained will probably be lost, because the Cavaliers have a swagger of their own, and that is too win, and only win.
Defensively, the Magic aren’t at the same level as the Cavaliers. Dwight Howard will be the only Magic player to actually play solid defense and score for the Magic, consistently. As for the other two big names, who by the way are over-rated to the max, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. They will have night mares about LeBron and how he will run circles around them. Lewis and Turkoglu cannot play defense for the life of them.
Simply put, the Cavaliers are too good of a team with LeBron James at the helm, and the Magic just don’t stack up.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 4 OR 5 GAMES. GIVE THE MAGIC CREDIT; THEY DID BEAT BOSTON, SO MAYBE THEY’LL SQUEAK OUT A WIN.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
First the rest factor, the Cavaliers have had a lot of it, and the Magic haven’t. The Magic are coming off a seven game series win over the defending champion Celtics, and will have had just two days of rest. Whereas the Cavaliers have had over eight days of rest, and are a well rested machine.
Cleveland’s LeBron James is the best player on the planet right now, and no one can stop or limit him. He is pretty much a perfect player that can lead a team to wins, change the game dramatically with one big play, can pass the ball like a point guard, and most of all he has matured very quickly, and knows what it takes to win. That’s all the Cavaliers have been doing, playing the minimum amount of games, and sweeping both series they have played.
The rest of the Cleveland team have played their part well, and have provided LeBron with strong secondary scoring. Even though LeBron’s team mates know how good he is, they still play at a high level, and want to win as mush as he does. Of course we all know how important LeBron is to the Cavaliers, and without they would pretty much suck. Again, LeBron has entered his prime early in his career, and won’t be stopped until he retires. With that, the Magic are no match for the Cavaliers, and will promptly be ousted in four to five games. If the Magic could pull out two wins, they should be proud of that and take that to the bank.
Now on to the Magic, they are like dead men walking in one of those old prison movies, where you know what is going to happen to the bad guys. In this case, the Magic will be the victim to the beating the Cavaliers will lay on them. The Magic did show a lot of guts beating Boston, which included winning games one and seven on the road. The Cavaliers haven’t lost a game at home in these playoffs, and just two the whole year. So, the Magic will struggle on the road in Cleveland. That swagger they obtained will probably be lost, because the Cavaliers have a swagger of their own, and that is too win, and only win.
Defensively, the Magic aren’t at the same level as the Cavaliers. Dwight Howard will be the only Magic player to actually play solid defense and score for the Magic, consistently. As for the other two big names, who by the way are over-rated to the max, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. They will have night mares about LeBron and how he will run circles around them. Lewis and Turkoglu cannot play defense for the life of them.
Simply put, the Cavaliers are too good of a team with LeBron James at the helm, and the Magic just don’t stack up.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 4 OR 5 GAMES. GIVE THE MAGIC CREDIT; THEY DID BEAT BOSTON, SO MAYBE THEY’LL SQUEAK OUT A WIN.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
2009 NBA PLAYOFFS WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (1) LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. DENVER NUGGETS (2)
This is what all NBA fans and the front office of the Association dream of, number one versus two. In this year’s West final, it will consist of a team everyone expected to be here, and a team no one really gave a chance to. The high powered Lakers looked poised to make an easy run to this spot, but had bumps along the way, and struggled. As for the Nuggets, ever since they acquired Chauncey Billups, Denver has been rolling along quite smoothly, and Billups has added an element the Nuggets have missed. Getting to this spot was a pretty easy path for the Nuggets going 8-2. Coming into this series, the Lakers look to be the underdogs, which is quite shocking.
If you think about it and look closely at the Lakers, they have a few flaws. First off, their second round series against the Rockets should not have gone to seven games, considering the Rockets were without Yao Ming in the final three games of the series. Kobe Bryant, the guy who gives himself his own nickname (ala Black Mamba (who the hell does that?)), can be stopped. It is a manageable task to keep Bryant below twenty points, and win the game. The Lakers have no other threats beside Bryant. They do have players that can play, but cannot impact a game like Kobe. Pao Gasol is a good big man, but very weak and isn’t aggressive when he needs to be. Lamar Odom, can play aggressive, but can’t really count on him to carry a team. Andrew Bynum and his inexperience in pressure situations have shown, and started a few games on the bench. Derek Fisher can still run the point, but not like he once used to in that Lakers dynasty that won three consecutive championships. The bench has struggled as well for the Lakers, and showed they couldn’t match-up with the Rockets’ bench.
Compare that to the Nuggets. They have steamrolled their competition, have stopped big players, and if they couldn’t, then the supporting cast, and their big time players are playing like big time players.
In the first round, the Nuggets had to control and stop Chris Paul, and easily did that. In the second round, they had to stop Dirk Nowitzki, which they couldn’t do, but completely shut down Josh Howard, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and the Dallas bench.
As for their leaders, the Nuggets are witnessing Carmello Anthony blossom into a true leader and an elite player in the NBA. With the help of Chauncey Billups, things are under control in Denver and they are playing with a high level of intensity and concentration on both ends of the floor. The bench players have not upset either, and easily have a better bench than the Lakers at this point in the playoffs. The point guard battle between Billups and Fisher really isn’t a match-up, because Billups will take Fisher to school.
As mentioned above, the Lakers are nothing without Kobe Bryant, and if he is stopped and limited, the Nuggets will have an easy series. On the flip side, if you try and stop Carmello Anthony, then you have to deal with Chauncey Billups, who is extremely capable of knocking down big shots, and passing the ball. To stop the Nuggets and beat them, both Anthony and Billups have to be stopped.
The Lakers do hold home court advantage, and have lost just one game at home in these playoffs. The way the Nuggets have played at home, which is perfect at 6-0, all they really need to do is take at least one game in Los Angeles. The Lakers have struggled on the road with a record of 2-3, and in the three games lost; they have given up 94 points a game, and have averaged just 84 points. As for the Nuggets on home court, they average 113 points a game, including a low of just 107 points scored in game 5 of round one. The Nuggets give up 95 points a game at home, which is a plus 18 margin of victory.
Both these teams will play tough against each other, but the Nuggets are a hotter team, and have everything together, unlike the Lakers who have a few flaws, and must fix, if they want to play in the Finals a second year in a row.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE DENVER NUGGETS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 6 GAMES, WITH THEIR STRONG PLAY AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD. THEIR STARS ARE PLAYING LIKE STARS, AND LEADING THEM TO SOLID VICTORIES.
*THE ONLY WAY THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY PLAY LIKE A TEAM, AND SUPPORT KOBE BRYANT WITH DECENT SECONDARY SCORING.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
If you think about it and look closely at the Lakers, they have a few flaws. First off, their second round series against the Rockets should not have gone to seven games, considering the Rockets were without Yao Ming in the final three games of the series. Kobe Bryant, the guy who gives himself his own nickname (ala Black Mamba (who the hell does that?)), can be stopped. It is a manageable task to keep Bryant below twenty points, and win the game. The Lakers have no other threats beside Bryant. They do have players that can play, but cannot impact a game like Kobe. Pao Gasol is a good big man, but very weak and isn’t aggressive when he needs to be. Lamar Odom, can play aggressive, but can’t really count on him to carry a team. Andrew Bynum and his inexperience in pressure situations have shown, and started a few games on the bench. Derek Fisher can still run the point, but not like he once used to in that Lakers dynasty that won three consecutive championships. The bench has struggled as well for the Lakers, and showed they couldn’t match-up with the Rockets’ bench.
Compare that to the Nuggets. They have steamrolled their competition, have stopped big players, and if they couldn’t, then the supporting cast, and their big time players are playing like big time players.
In the first round, the Nuggets had to control and stop Chris Paul, and easily did that. In the second round, they had to stop Dirk Nowitzki, which they couldn’t do, but completely shut down Josh Howard, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and the Dallas bench.
As for their leaders, the Nuggets are witnessing Carmello Anthony blossom into a true leader and an elite player in the NBA. With the help of Chauncey Billups, things are under control in Denver and they are playing with a high level of intensity and concentration on both ends of the floor. The bench players have not upset either, and easily have a better bench than the Lakers at this point in the playoffs. The point guard battle between Billups and Fisher really isn’t a match-up, because Billups will take Fisher to school.
As mentioned above, the Lakers are nothing without Kobe Bryant, and if he is stopped and limited, the Nuggets will have an easy series. On the flip side, if you try and stop Carmello Anthony, then you have to deal with Chauncey Billups, who is extremely capable of knocking down big shots, and passing the ball. To stop the Nuggets and beat them, both Anthony and Billups have to be stopped.
The Lakers do hold home court advantage, and have lost just one game at home in these playoffs. The way the Nuggets have played at home, which is perfect at 6-0, all they really need to do is take at least one game in Los Angeles. The Lakers have struggled on the road with a record of 2-3, and in the three games lost; they have given up 94 points a game, and have averaged just 84 points. As for the Nuggets on home court, they average 113 points a game, including a low of just 107 points scored in game 5 of round one. The Nuggets give up 95 points a game at home, which is a plus 18 margin of victory.
Both these teams will play tough against each other, but the Nuggets are a hotter team, and have everything together, unlike the Lakers who have a few flaws, and must fix, if they want to play in the Finals a second year in a row.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE DENVER NUGGETS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 6 GAMES, WITH THEIR STRONG PLAY AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD. THEIR STARS ARE PLAYING LIKE STARS, AND LEADING THEM TO SOLID VICTORIES.
*THE ONLY WAY THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY PLAY LIKE A TEAM, AND SUPPORT KOBE BRYANT WITH DECENT SECONDARY SCORING.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Friday, May 15, 2009
2009 NHL PLAYOFFS WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (2) DETROIT RED WINGS vs. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (4)
Besides the Sidney Crosby versus Alexander Ovechkin series, the NHL couldn’t have asked for anything better than an Original Six showdown between two US hockey markets that actually work for the league. The battle between the veteran savvy and championship caliber Red Wings versus the young and solid Blackhawks will provide for great hockey. This age old rivalry should be rekindled in their upcoming series to decide the champions in the Western conference.
Hockey is back and alive in the city of Chicago, and if the Winter Classic warranted new fans into the Blackhawk circle, this playoff drive should see even more fans come aboard. The Blackhawks are proving everyone wrong out there, and are just four wins away from a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. It is safe to label these Blackhawks as the comeback kids in these playoffs. In the first round versus the Flames, the Blackhawks could’ve easily been down 2-0, but thanks to some late game heroics they fought back to take two games to zero lead, and promptly won in six games. Versus the Canucks in the second round and against a world class goaltender in Roberto Luongo, the young Blackhawks were down 2-0, but again came back and won four straight games. In game six the Blackhawks shelled Roberto Luongo for seven goals in a two goal win in the deciding sixth game in Chicago.
The key in both of those series’ were home ice, and the Blackhawks have made good use of the United Center crowd so far in these playoffs and are 6-0 at home. Their road record could use some work, but have come up big in road games that counted the most. Such as game six in Calgary to clinch the series, and game five in Vancouver to take a 3-2 series lead into Chicago. Overall, they are 2-4 on the road, which means they have to win at home if they wish to dethrone the Red Wings.
Goaltending is all everyone wants to talk about when the Red Wings enter the conversation. Chris Osgood has been good, not great. If he was slightly better, the Red Wings would not have needed seven games to knock off the Ducks. In the upcoming series, the Blackhawks are way ahead in goaltending with Nikolai Khabibulin who returned to his old form from 2004 when he backstopped the Lighting to capture the Stanley Cup. This time around, Osgood has to be great if the Red Wings want to compete in the Finals once again.
The Blackhawks have plenty of snipers, and are riding on their youth and fresh energy, which has done them well. The Red Wings defense is up to the task and will be able to handle the Blackhawks. Again, it all comes down to goaltending, and it looks like Osgood isn’t up to the task. Coming the other way, the Red Wings are just as loaded on offense, but the Blackhawks have the goaltending. The Blackhawks do still have a young a defense, and the Red Wings should be able to expose their weaknesses.
So far in these playoffs, the Blackhawks are getting stronger each game, and are growing with each game. In the Red Wings defense, they are the defending champions, and should easily get by the Blackhawks.
In the end, Chicago is on another level, they never quit in any game, they are never down and out, and they have that heart and soul. The team has captured the imagination and minds of the whole city. Playing in Chicago will be tough for the Red Wings, but they are a solid group. It has been mentioned time and time again, goaltending wins in the playoffs. The Red Wings are so good; they didn’t need the greatest goaltending in the world to escape the first two rounds. This time, they will need great goaltending, Chris Osgood has shown he can be great, but that was in the past, and has not shown it in this year’s playoff.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN SIX GAMES AND TOTALLY SURPRISE THE RED WINGS AND NHL. THE SPEED AND YOUTH OF THE BLACKHAWKS WILL SLOW DOWN THE VETERAN RED WINGS. THE BLACKHAWKS MUST BE PERFECT AT HOME ONCE AGAIN IN ORDER TO WIN THIS SERIES.
*THE ONLY WAY THE DETROIT RED WINGS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY GO PERFECT AT HOME AND WIN AT LEAST ONE GAME ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE BLACKHAWKS RISE UP AND WIN BIG GAMES ON THE ROAD.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Hockey is back and alive in the city of Chicago, and if the Winter Classic warranted new fans into the Blackhawk circle, this playoff drive should see even more fans come aboard. The Blackhawks are proving everyone wrong out there, and are just four wins away from a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. It is safe to label these Blackhawks as the comeback kids in these playoffs. In the first round versus the Flames, the Blackhawks could’ve easily been down 2-0, but thanks to some late game heroics they fought back to take two games to zero lead, and promptly won in six games. Versus the Canucks in the second round and against a world class goaltender in Roberto Luongo, the young Blackhawks were down 2-0, but again came back and won four straight games. In game six the Blackhawks shelled Roberto Luongo for seven goals in a two goal win in the deciding sixth game in Chicago.
The key in both of those series’ were home ice, and the Blackhawks have made good use of the United Center crowd so far in these playoffs and are 6-0 at home. Their road record could use some work, but have come up big in road games that counted the most. Such as game six in Calgary to clinch the series, and game five in Vancouver to take a 3-2 series lead into Chicago. Overall, they are 2-4 on the road, which means they have to win at home if they wish to dethrone the Red Wings.
Goaltending is all everyone wants to talk about when the Red Wings enter the conversation. Chris Osgood has been good, not great. If he was slightly better, the Red Wings would not have needed seven games to knock off the Ducks. In the upcoming series, the Blackhawks are way ahead in goaltending with Nikolai Khabibulin who returned to his old form from 2004 when he backstopped the Lighting to capture the Stanley Cup. This time around, Osgood has to be great if the Red Wings want to compete in the Finals once again.
The Blackhawks have plenty of snipers, and are riding on their youth and fresh energy, which has done them well. The Red Wings defense is up to the task and will be able to handle the Blackhawks. Again, it all comes down to goaltending, and it looks like Osgood isn’t up to the task. Coming the other way, the Red Wings are just as loaded on offense, but the Blackhawks have the goaltending. The Blackhawks do still have a young a defense, and the Red Wings should be able to expose their weaknesses.
So far in these playoffs, the Blackhawks are getting stronger each game, and are growing with each game. In the Red Wings defense, they are the defending champions, and should easily get by the Blackhawks.
In the end, Chicago is on another level, they never quit in any game, they are never down and out, and they have that heart and soul. The team has captured the imagination and minds of the whole city. Playing in Chicago will be tough for the Red Wings, but they are a solid group. It has been mentioned time and time again, goaltending wins in the playoffs. The Red Wings are so good; they didn’t need the greatest goaltending in the world to escape the first two rounds. This time, they will need great goaltending, Chris Osgood has shown he can be great, but that was in the past, and has not shown it in this year’s playoff.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN SIX GAMES AND TOTALLY SURPRISE THE RED WINGS AND NHL. THE SPEED AND YOUTH OF THE BLACKHAWKS WILL SLOW DOWN THE VETERAN RED WINGS. THE BLACKHAWKS MUST BE PERFECT AT HOME ONCE AGAIN IN ORDER TO WIN THIS SERIES.
*THE ONLY WAY THE DETROIT RED WINGS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY GO PERFECT AT HOME AND WIN AT LEAST ONE GAME ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE BLACKHAWKS RISE UP AND WIN BIG GAMES ON THE ROAD.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
2009 NHL PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS (4) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES (6)
This series between the Penguins and Hurricanes should provide for a goaltending clinic. If it weren’t for Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh) and Cam Ward (Carolina), these two teams would not be in the Eastern Finals. It was Fleury’s big saves that got the Penguins past Alexander Ovechkin and his Capitals. It was Cam Ward who stoned the first place Bruins and upset them in seven games, which included a solid game seven performance in Boston.
Both these teams have no problem with their last line of defense, but the Hurricanes may have a problem defensively. In the second round versus the Capitals, Sidney Crosby may have been outdueled by Ovechkin with more points, but Crosby was unstoppable and made his presence most felt in a 6-2 thrashing in game seven. In that game Crosby racked up three points and was a force the whole series. As for the actual Hart trophy finalist, Evgeni Malkin, he was obsolete and played when he wanted to play. When Crosby and Malkin are their usual dominant selves, the Penguins thrive and cannot be stopped. There is no defense in the NHL that can stop them entirely, but can limit them.
Enter the Hurricanes’ defense, which stymied the Bruins’ high power offense and used that to eventually win the series. Sidney Crosby cannot be stopped nor limited, because he is too good and has that desire to win, something Evgeni Malkin so rarely displays. With that, Malkin can be stopped, which makes the Penguins weaker offensively, because they have no secondary scoring.
Offensively, Eric Staal was a force in the second round versus Boston, and even with Zdeno Chara on him, Staal found other ways to make his presence felt. The Hurricanes did display some secondary scoring, but it was on and off.
The Penguins sort of have an underrated defense led by Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. The whole defensive unit did a good job in shutting down Ovechkin in game seven, and the Capitals’ strong secondary scoring the whole series.
With all that, the goaltenders will either have easy games or games in which they are pelted with shots. Which ever scenario comes up Fleury and Ward will be up to the task as they have already shown.
Home ice advantage will pay big dividends to the Penguins, and must use their home games wisely. In the first two rounds, the Hurricanes have been the road team, and still have won both series, including two game seven wins on the road. The Penguins have been very strong at home the past two years in the regular and playoff season, and that could decide the series in their favour. During these playoffs, the Penguins are 4-2 at home, but the Hurricanes are 4-3 on the road.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN SEVEN GAMES. THEY MUST BE PERFECT AT HOME, BECAUSE THE CAROLINA HURRICANES HAVE SHOWN IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT BUILDING THEY ARE PLAYING IN.
*THE ONLY WAY THE CAROLINA HURRICANES WILL WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY COULD STEAL 2 GAMES IN PITTSBURGH, AS THE HURRICANES ARE 4-2 AT HOME.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Both these teams have no problem with their last line of defense, but the Hurricanes may have a problem defensively. In the second round versus the Capitals, Sidney Crosby may have been outdueled by Ovechkin with more points, but Crosby was unstoppable and made his presence most felt in a 6-2 thrashing in game seven. In that game Crosby racked up three points and was a force the whole series. As for the actual Hart trophy finalist, Evgeni Malkin, he was obsolete and played when he wanted to play. When Crosby and Malkin are their usual dominant selves, the Penguins thrive and cannot be stopped. There is no defense in the NHL that can stop them entirely, but can limit them.
Enter the Hurricanes’ defense, which stymied the Bruins’ high power offense and used that to eventually win the series. Sidney Crosby cannot be stopped nor limited, because he is too good and has that desire to win, something Evgeni Malkin so rarely displays. With that, Malkin can be stopped, which makes the Penguins weaker offensively, because they have no secondary scoring.
Offensively, Eric Staal was a force in the second round versus Boston, and even with Zdeno Chara on him, Staal found other ways to make his presence felt. The Hurricanes did display some secondary scoring, but it was on and off.
The Penguins sort of have an underrated defense led by Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. The whole defensive unit did a good job in shutting down Ovechkin in game seven, and the Capitals’ strong secondary scoring the whole series.
With all that, the goaltenders will either have easy games or games in which they are pelted with shots. Which ever scenario comes up Fleury and Ward will be up to the task as they have already shown.
Home ice advantage will pay big dividends to the Penguins, and must use their home games wisely. In the first two rounds, the Hurricanes have been the road team, and still have won both series, including two game seven wins on the road. The Penguins have been very strong at home the past two years in the regular and playoff season, and that could decide the series in their favour. During these playoffs, the Penguins are 4-2 at home, but the Hurricanes are 4-3 on the road.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN SEVEN GAMES. THEY MUST BE PERFECT AT HOME, BECAUSE THE CAROLINA HURRICANES HAVE SHOWN IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT BUILDING THEY ARE PLAYING IN.
*THE ONLY WAY THE CAROLINA HURRICANES WILL WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY COULD STEAL 2 GAMES IN PITTSBURGH, AS THE HURRICANES ARE 4-2 AT HOME.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
2009 PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS (1) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS vs. ATLANTS HAWKS (4)
The Cavaliers took the easiest route to get to the second round with a healthy and fairly easy sweep of the once powerful Pistons. Unlike their new opponents, the Hawks, they had to use the maximum of seven games to defeat the Heat. So, which team has the edge coming into this series? Think about this, the Hawks needed seven games to knock off the Heat, and now they are facing the best team in the regular season, what chance do the Hawks possibly have? Also, LeBron James was just named the MVP for the 2009 season, and accepted the award at his old stomping grounds at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School. You don’t think he is even more jacked up and ready to show the NBA that he truly deserved that MVP award? This should be another easy series for the Cavaliers, but the Hawks will give the Cavaliers, somewhat of a challenge. If this series doesn’t finish in four games in favour of the Cavaliers, then maybe five games at most it will take Cleveland to dispose of the Hawks.
As predicted in the first round, the Cavaliers beat the Pistons in four games, and it pretty much looked like shooting practice for Cleveland. LeBron James was unstoppable and there was absolutely no answer for him, and the same will happen in this upcoming series versus Atlanta. Neither Josh Smith nor Joe Johnson can defend James, and even if they do stop him here and there, they cannot do it for a full 48 minutes. With over ten days of rest for the whole Cleveland team, they will have an even bigger advantage over the Hawks, who only had one days rest after their series win.
The supporting cast for the Cavaliers stepped up in the first round. As usual Mo Williams was at his best running the offense and providing that strong and consistent secondary scoring in support of LeBron. It pretty much boiled down too, if any player was on the court at the same time with LeBron, they were bound to score, and get their shots off.
Defensively, the Cavaliers played as a group and completely shut down the Pistons in every which way. In the four game sweep, the Cavaliers only allowed 78 point per game, held Detroit to only two games with 80 or more points, and once under 70 points. If the Cavaliers play that kind of defense, the Hawks will have a tough time to score, and that’s where more of the onus is placed on Joe Johnson.
The Hawks need Johnson to match LeBron for whatever he does, because if he can’t and falls a few points short, that could be the difference in a few games. The Hawks need all of their scorers to score at a consistent rate, and that was most evident with Mike Bibby, who was on and off more than a bathroom light. Josh Smith needs to score a bit more to provide a solid second option in scoring behind Johnson. Defensively, he was one of the best for the Hawks and should do the same versus Cleveland.
Defensively, the Hawks must play as a team. That sounds easy to do, but it is hard to accomplish. If the Hawks could do that, they will give themselves a chance in this series and can prolong it. Home court will be extremely important for the Hawks. They did lose one game versus the Heat, but did go 3-1 at home. This time around, they must be perfect at home, because on the road in Miami, the Hawks went 1-2, and averaged just 77 points a game. We all know what the Cavaliers did at home this season, just two losses in 41 games.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 4 OR 5 GAMES AT MOST.
*ONLY WAY THE ATLANTA HAWKS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY COULD SOMEHOW STOP LEBRON JAMES (WHICH PROBABLY ISN’T HAPPENING), AND WIN AT LEAST 2 GAMES IN CLEVELAND.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
As predicted in the first round, the Cavaliers beat the Pistons in four games, and it pretty much looked like shooting practice for Cleveland. LeBron James was unstoppable and there was absolutely no answer for him, and the same will happen in this upcoming series versus Atlanta. Neither Josh Smith nor Joe Johnson can defend James, and even if they do stop him here and there, they cannot do it for a full 48 minutes. With over ten days of rest for the whole Cleveland team, they will have an even bigger advantage over the Hawks, who only had one days rest after their series win.
The supporting cast for the Cavaliers stepped up in the first round. As usual Mo Williams was at his best running the offense and providing that strong and consistent secondary scoring in support of LeBron. It pretty much boiled down too, if any player was on the court at the same time with LeBron, they were bound to score, and get their shots off.
Defensively, the Cavaliers played as a group and completely shut down the Pistons in every which way. In the four game sweep, the Cavaliers only allowed 78 point per game, held Detroit to only two games with 80 or more points, and once under 70 points. If the Cavaliers play that kind of defense, the Hawks will have a tough time to score, and that’s where more of the onus is placed on Joe Johnson.
The Hawks need Johnson to match LeBron for whatever he does, because if he can’t and falls a few points short, that could be the difference in a few games. The Hawks need all of their scorers to score at a consistent rate, and that was most evident with Mike Bibby, who was on and off more than a bathroom light. Josh Smith needs to score a bit more to provide a solid second option in scoring behind Johnson. Defensively, he was one of the best for the Hawks and should do the same versus Cleveland.
Defensively, the Hawks must play as a team. That sounds easy to do, but it is hard to accomplish. If the Hawks could do that, they will give themselves a chance in this series and can prolong it. Home court will be extremely important for the Hawks. They did lose one game versus the Heat, but did go 3-1 at home. This time around, they must be perfect at home, because on the road in Miami, the Hawks went 1-2, and averaged just 77 points a game. We all know what the Cavaliers did at home this season, just two losses in 41 games.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 4 OR 5 GAMES AT MOST.
*ONLY WAY THE ATLANTA HAWKS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY COULD SOMEHOW STOP LEBRON JAMES (WHICH PROBABLY ISN’T HAPPENING), AND WIN AT LEAST 2 GAMES IN CLEVELAND.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Monday, May 4, 2009
2009 NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS (2) BOSTON CELTICS vs. ORLANDO MAGIC (3)
Now in the second round, the Celtics will face an even tougher opponent in the Magic. The Celtics barely survived a seven game series versus the young up and coming Bulls, a series in which they lost the rugged Leon Powe for the playoffs. That right there is a problem for the Celtics, because Dwight Howard was a beast versus the 76ers in round 1, and will only continue to dominate in the paint. Kendrick Perkins and Glenn Davis have nothing on Howard, and will also struggle to attack him offensively.
Without Kevin Garnett in the Boston lineup, the Celtics’ defensive weakness was exposed by the Bulls. That whole series came down to which team could play a solid stretch of defense. In this upcoming series, that will be the focus once again.
The Magic showed that they could play defense in the first round, but only for a few games, and showed that they couldn’t contain an offensively weak Philadelphia team. Orlando really doesn’t have that swagger, which says we can plan hard and compete. The make-up of the team doesn’t look as if they want to win. The only players that can set the tone is Dwight Howard, and he plays hard each and every single night. If only the rest of his team mates could play like him, the Magic can easily win this series. Too bad the Magic have players that take nights off, in Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. These two have to be the most over-rated players in the Association today. They score when they feel they can score, and if they are off one night, they will continue to take stupid shots. Defensively, they are two of the worst defenders, and neither of them could stop Paul Pierce or Ray Allen.
For the Celtics, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will be the deciding factors in this series. No one on the Magic can guard them, and in turn, the Magic don’t have a solid swing man that can drive the ball to the basket. Rajon Rondo easily wins in the point guard position, because after the Magic lost Jameer Nelson to a season ending shoulder injury, they lost the one player that runs the offense and the only player that consistently drove to the bucket. His replacement Rafer Alston is good, but Rondo has shown more to his game and that driving ability, something Alston rarely does.
Both these teams will get their shots off, and just like round one, each game will be close and will pretty much come down to which ever team has the last possession. In the end, the Celtics have that winning mentality, and don’t give up on any games. Even the games the Celtics lost, they could’ve easily won, and they even showed they could blow out teams. The Celtics have that swagger that the Orlando players don’t have, show, or play with. This will be a tight series, and the Magic are probably the favourites heading into this series, but will lose out to Boston.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE BOSTON CELTICS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 7 GAMES, AND BARELY EDGE OUT THE MAGIC. PAUL PIERCE NEEDS TO CONTINUE HIS STRONG PLAY, AND RAY ALLEN NEEDS TO BE MORE CONSISTENT IN HIS SCORING.
*THE ORLANDO MAGIC CAN WIN THIS SERIES IF THEY WIN TWO GAMES IN BOSTON, AND PLAYERS OTHER THAN DWIGHT HOWARD REALLY STEP UP.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Without Kevin Garnett in the Boston lineup, the Celtics’ defensive weakness was exposed by the Bulls. That whole series came down to which team could play a solid stretch of defense. In this upcoming series, that will be the focus once again.
The Magic showed that they could play defense in the first round, but only for a few games, and showed that they couldn’t contain an offensively weak Philadelphia team. Orlando really doesn’t have that swagger, which says we can plan hard and compete. The make-up of the team doesn’t look as if they want to win. The only players that can set the tone is Dwight Howard, and he plays hard each and every single night. If only the rest of his team mates could play like him, the Magic can easily win this series. Too bad the Magic have players that take nights off, in Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. These two have to be the most over-rated players in the Association today. They score when they feel they can score, and if they are off one night, they will continue to take stupid shots. Defensively, they are two of the worst defenders, and neither of them could stop Paul Pierce or Ray Allen.
For the Celtics, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will be the deciding factors in this series. No one on the Magic can guard them, and in turn, the Magic don’t have a solid swing man that can drive the ball to the basket. Rajon Rondo easily wins in the point guard position, because after the Magic lost Jameer Nelson to a season ending shoulder injury, they lost the one player that runs the offense and the only player that consistently drove to the bucket. His replacement Rafer Alston is good, but Rondo has shown more to his game and that driving ability, something Alston rarely does.
Both these teams will get their shots off, and just like round one, each game will be close and will pretty much come down to which ever team has the last possession. In the end, the Celtics have that winning mentality, and don’t give up on any games. Even the games the Celtics lost, they could’ve easily won, and they even showed they could blow out teams. The Celtics have that swagger that the Orlando players don’t have, show, or play with. This will be a tight series, and the Magic are probably the favourites heading into this series, but will lose out to Boston.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE BOSTON CELTICS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 7 GAMES, AND BARELY EDGE OUT THE MAGIC. PAUL PIERCE NEEDS TO CONTINUE HIS STRONG PLAY, AND RAY ALLEN NEEDS TO BE MORE CONSISTENT IN HIS SCORING.
*THE ORLANDO MAGIC CAN WIN THIS SERIES IF THEY WIN TWO GAMES IN BOSTON, AND PLAYERS OTHER THAN DWIGHT HOWARD REALLY STEP UP.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
2009 NBA PLAYOFFS WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS (2) DENVER NUGGETS vs. DALLAS MAVERICKS (6)
To start off, kudos to both the Nuggets and Mavericks for finishing off their first round opponents in five games. Both of these teams went into their respective series’ as underdogs.
The Nuggets took care of the Chris Paul led Hornets in an easy series win, which included a game four trouncing in which the Nuggets won by 58 points on the road. The two leaders of this Nuggets team really emerged and Chauncey Billups and Carmello Anthony played at another level. With Billups running the point, every player was involved, and his shooting ability opened up more space on the floor. This led to Carmello Anthony being able to pick his shots and spots and go from there. The supporting cast for the Nuggets came through in the clutch, as J.R. Smith and Chris Anderson provided huge sparks. Smith had his jump shot working and Anderson proved to be a force in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets had no problem in containing the Hornets’ so called superior offense, which was stalled. The physicality the Nuggets displayed on Chris Paul was one of the main reasons the Hornets lost. Even if Paul were to get free and maneuver he was still stopped and was usually seen on his back. The Nuggets must display that type of physicality once again, because the Mavericks had no problem in getting to the basket and getting their shots off against a usually solid defensive Spurs team.
The Mavericks were led by Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. This series will be huge because both these teams match-up well. Offense will be the key in this series for both sides, but for the Mavericks they must focus in on the defensive end. The Nuggets had a much better offensive rhythm than the Mavericks and have to keep the points against low. One way to stop that is slow down Chauncey Billups, because if the Mavericks could get to him, then they will keep the Nuggets at bay.
In the first round the Mavericks did show they could play defense, but the Spurs were without Manu Ginobli, and that right there is at least 25 points a game missing. If the Mavericks ignore that fact they should be able to do just fine. But a lot of emphasis will be placed on the two point guards.
We all know Billups beat Paul, and he most definitely holds an advantage over Jason Kidd. Billups’ driving ability and jumpers alone beat Kidd, and that will be huge for the Nuggets. Besides the point guards, the Nuggets do have a higher quality of players, that the Mavericks can match, but not beat.
Overall, these two teams match-up well on paper, but on the court it’s another story and the Nuggets right now are the better team.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE DENVER NUGGETS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 6 GAMES ON THE STRENGTH OF CHAUNCEY BILLUPS AND CARMELLO ANTHONY.
*THE ONLY WAY THE DALLAS MAVERICKS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY DISPLAY THEIR WINNING ABILITY ON THE ROAD ONCE AGAIN LIKE THEY DID VERSUS THE SPURS.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
The Nuggets took care of the Chris Paul led Hornets in an easy series win, which included a game four trouncing in which the Nuggets won by 58 points on the road. The two leaders of this Nuggets team really emerged and Chauncey Billups and Carmello Anthony played at another level. With Billups running the point, every player was involved, and his shooting ability opened up more space on the floor. This led to Carmello Anthony being able to pick his shots and spots and go from there. The supporting cast for the Nuggets came through in the clutch, as J.R. Smith and Chris Anderson provided huge sparks. Smith had his jump shot working and Anderson proved to be a force in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets had no problem in containing the Hornets’ so called superior offense, which was stalled. The physicality the Nuggets displayed on Chris Paul was one of the main reasons the Hornets lost. Even if Paul were to get free and maneuver he was still stopped and was usually seen on his back. The Nuggets must display that type of physicality once again, because the Mavericks had no problem in getting to the basket and getting their shots off against a usually solid defensive Spurs team.
The Mavericks were led by Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. This series will be huge because both these teams match-up well. Offense will be the key in this series for both sides, but for the Mavericks they must focus in on the defensive end. The Nuggets had a much better offensive rhythm than the Mavericks and have to keep the points against low. One way to stop that is slow down Chauncey Billups, because if the Mavericks could get to him, then they will keep the Nuggets at bay.
In the first round the Mavericks did show they could play defense, but the Spurs were without Manu Ginobli, and that right there is at least 25 points a game missing. If the Mavericks ignore that fact they should be able to do just fine. But a lot of emphasis will be placed on the two point guards.
We all know Billups beat Paul, and he most definitely holds an advantage over Jason Kidd. Billups’ driving ability and jumpers alone beat Kidd, and that will be huge for the Nuggets. Besides the point guards, the Nuggets do have a higher quality of players, that the Mavericks can match, but not beat.
Overall, these two teams match-up well on paper, but on the court it’s another story and the Nuggets right now are the better team.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE DENVER NUGGETS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 6 GAMES ON THE STRENGTH OF CHAUNCEY BILLUPS AND CARMELLO ANTHONY.
*THE ONLY WAY THE DALLAS MAVERICKS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY DISPLAY THEIR WINNING ABILITY ON THE ROAD ONCE AGAIN LIKE THEY DID VERSUS THE SPURS.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
2009 NBA PLAYOFFS WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS (1) LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS (5)
This series should be a walk in the park for the Lakers, but the Rockets have the NBA world and the Lakers thinking twice about that remark. The Rockets outplayed a tough and young Portland squad in six games, which included three games to one series lead.
Houston right now is playing at another level, and is doing all this without a definitive scorer. In the first round, Houston got an amazing dose of balanced scoring from their staring five to and bench. Three key players led the way for the Rockets. Starting with their centre Yao Ming, who is finally playing with some grittiness in his game. If Yao plays that way all the time, there is no one on the Lakers that could stop him. Just ask Portland’s Joel Przybilla who had a major problem in keeping Yao in front of him. Although, Greg Oden was able to stop Yao at times, by getting in front of him first and made him take a jumper instead of driving the ball to the basket.
Ron Artest and Shane Battier came through in big ways on the defensive end, and even though they really didn’t have an answer for Brandon Roy, those two still kept LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw in check. Artest and Battier were able to score more than their season average, which was a huge plus, and will need to keep their playoff averages up if they want to score against the Lakers.
As for the Lakers, they look unbeatable, and were beat just once en route to a relatively easy five game series win over the Jazz. That lone loss can be attributed to Deron Williams who spread the offense, and pretty much set the defensive tone for his team. Luckily for the Lakers, they won’t have to deal with such a high caliber point guard, as the Rockets really don’t have one. This will make life easier on Derek Fisher, who can now take a few more shots, and ease the pressure on Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom.
Oh yeah, Kobe Bryant, he is pretty much unstoppable, and if Brandon Roy was able to average at least 20 plus points a game, imagine how many Kobe will? The Rockets will have no answer for Bryant, and Ron Artest’s scoring production will drop significantly with all the running around he’ll have to do guarding Kobe.
The Lakers are pretty much a better team than the Rockets in all facets of the game. No matter what the Rockets do, and how well they match their first round performances, they will not stop the Lakers from winning this series. The only conceivable way the Rockets could win, is if they shut down Kobe Bryant, which will not, and probably can’t happen.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN A SWEEP, OR IN FIVE GAMES, MAX. IF UTAH WAS ABLE TO SQUEEZE OUT A VICTORY, THEN MAYBE HOUSTON COULD TO.
*THE HOUSTON ROCKETS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IF THEY DON’T ALLOW KOBE BRYANT TO SCORE MORE THAN 20 POINTS A GAME (WHICH ISN’T HAPPENING), AND IF THEY CAN WIN AT LEAST 2-3 GAMES ON THE ROAD.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Houston right now is playing at another level, and is doing all this without a definitive scorer. In the first round, Houston got an amazing dose of balanced scoring from their staring five to and bench. Three key players led the way for the Rockets. Starting with their centre Yao Ming, who is finally playing with some grittiness in his game. If Yao plays that way all the time, there is no one on the Lakers that could stop him. Just ask Portland’s Joel Przybilla who had a major problem in keeping Yao in front of him. Although, Greg Oden was able to stop Yao at times, by getting in front of him first and made him take a jumper instead of driving the ball to the basket.
Ron Artest and Shane Battier came through in big ways on the defensive end, and even though they really didn’t have an answer for Brandon Roy, those two still kept LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw in check. Artest and Battier were able to score more than their season average, which was a huge plus, and will need to keep their playoff averages up if they want to score against the Lakers.
As for the Lakers, they look unbeatable, and were beat just once en route to a relatively easy five game series win over the Jazz. That lone loss can be attributed to Deron Williams who spread the offense, and pretty much set the defensive tone for his team. Luckily for the Lakers, they won’t have to deal with such a high caliber point guard, as the Rockets really don’t have one. This will make life easier on Derek Fisher, who can now take a few more shots, and ease the pressure on Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom.
Oh yeah, Kobe Bryant, he is pretty much unstoppable, and if Brandon Roy was able to average at least 20 plus points a game, imagine how many Kobe will? The Rockets will have no answer for Bryant, and Ron Artest’s scoring production will drop significantly with all the running around he’ll have to do guarding Kobe.
The Lakers are pretty much a better team than the Rockets in all facets of the game. No matter what the Rockets do, and how well they match their first round performances, they will not stop the Lakers from winning this series. The only conceivable way the Rockets could win, is if they shut down Kobe Bryant, which will not, and probably can’t happen.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN A SWEEP, OR IN FIVE GAMES, MAX. IF UTAH WAS ABLE TO SQUEEZE OUT A VICTORY, THEN MAYBE HOUSTON COULD TO.
*THE HOUSTON ROCKETS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IF THEY DON’T ALLOW KOBE BRYANT TO SCORE MORE THAN 20 POINTS A GAME (WHICH ISN’T HAPPENING), AND IF THEY CAN WIN AT LEAST 2-3 GAMES ON THE ROAD.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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