NBA All-Star 2009 has just come to an end after another Western Conference beatdown but it really doesn't matter and that's how it should be. Let the guys go out there and score 140 pints, let Mo Williams throw between the legs passes to LeBron even their team is loosing by 30, let Shaq try to beat Dwight Howard off the dribble, it's great. The NBA always has the best All-Star because it doesn't count for anything and it's fun to watch.
The Saturday night is also a blast, the three point contest is always really cool, Daequan Cook congrats. Derrick Rose was just crazy good in the skills contest, capping it all off with a crazy dunk that could've got 3rd in the dunk contest. Then the dunk contest, best one in a long time. Dwight Howard was great on the twelve foot rim, but he screwed up by following up what he did in last year's dunk final by doing the same thing expect worst, but Nate Robinson was so awesome with his Krypitnite dunk over Howard was simply amazing. Plus had Rudy Fernandez and J.R. Smith not chosen terrible partners they would've been great too. All-Star weekend simply the best.
On to Awards
MVP: LeBron James, Forward Cavs : No doubt in my mind on this one. LeBron is the best player in the league (I'm finally ready to admit that) he's got the best stats, 28.5 points per game (leads all scorers), 7.5 boards, and 7 assists per game. All of those stats top that of other contenders like Kobe and D-Wade. Dwight Howard does have more boards though. The dude is crazy good and he's on, in my mind, the best team. I seriously don't know who can guard this guy, being 6'8, 270 pounds and he's finally developed about a tenth of the Tiger, MJ, Tebow gene. He's definitely the MVP this year and in 2010 the bidding for him will be insane.
Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose, Guard Bulls: This shouldn't even be a debate and please don't jump on me for being a homer does it help that watch Rose night-to-night as oppose to O.J. Mayo but I've seen Mayo play twice against the Bulls, I've stats, and I've seen highlights. Rose is better, Mayo is only scoring two more points per game, getting one rebound per game, and averaging three times less assists. Rose is the better all-around player and the better team player. Mayo is so selfish that he's made it so Rudy Gay feels the need to make a crappy shot everytime he gets the ball. Give this award to Rose he is better and everyone knows it
Coach of the Year: George Karl, Nuggets: Everyone says Chauncey Billups turned them around, I think that's a load. Chauncey helped but he didn't make Carmelo suddenly step all stages of his game including his defense, he didn't make Nene into a force to be reckoned with underneath he make J.R. Smith try to play defense for once. All that was George Karl and he deserves COY for making them a contender in the West.
Break-Out Star: Kevin Durant Forward, Thunder: KD is so flying so under it's scares me about how bad of an NBA market Oklahoma City is, because people should be talking about him in the same sentance as Chris Paul and Dwight Howard instead he's barely mentioned. Read ESPN's Bill Simmons' column on being underrated bout Durant and Manny it really covers everything about how good he is. I think he's now the seventh best player in the league. Freakishly good. Oklahoma City has a great future with KD, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook. It's scary how good they could be with that base. Durant capped off his greatness at All-Star weekend by winning H-O-R-S-E and being MVP of the Rookie-Sophomore Game with 46 points. He's just great.
Team that needs to make a Trade: Boston Celtics - They don't need a big trade like the Pistons. If the Pistons want to win the title they need some mega-trade that would give Amare and even someone else like Grant Hill. The Celtics to add a couple players another veteran big man and another swing man to come off their bench watching Leon Powe half to come off the bench against the Lakers and getting dominated by Gasol made me come to this realization. I don't get how people don't see this considering how the NBA shoves them in our face. The only problem with the Celtics making a trade is, as I mentioned their bench is awful, well nobody wants there players. I think Joe Smith from Oklahoma City would be a good fit but they won't trade him for just draft picks which is what the Celtics would give them. But assuming the Knicks don't trade Marbury and end up buying him out it looks like he will be a Celtic. But they need a trade.
Eastern Conference Team that could shock us and get into the Finals: The Miami Heat - Dwayne Wade is playing at an incredibly high level. He would've been my second choice for MVP behind LeBron he's back to level that won him the Finals. Then there's the Jermaine O'Neal trade which is huge for this team. Marion didn't fit in well with this team he should be a four man in a run and gun offense like Toronto's they were using as a three in a half-court. O'Neal on the other hand will post-up and get rebounds and be the big man they haven't had ever since Shaq left. Then they also got Jermario Moon who Pat Riley supposedly won't let this trade get with out. And he's shown flashes that he could be a star. They are the 3rd best team in the East right now but they could get better Chalmers isn't a Championship point guard but if they would say add Steve Blake from Portland then they're in good shape. Either way watch out for the Heat
Western Conference Team that could shock us and make the Finals: Phoenix Suns You heard me right the Phoenix Suns, with Alvin Gentry are a threat because they still have the right players to run the run and gun system D'Antoni ran. They can basically be the Warriors that upset the Mavericks a few years ago. Nash would be Baron Davis, Barbosa would be Monte Ellis, Richardson would be Richardson, Matt Barnes would be Matt Barnes, and Amare would be the big than if they need defense they can bring in Shaq. They are really deep and Terry Porter was trying to play a system his team didn't work in then wouldn't change away from even though it was painfully obvious it wasn't working, but back in the run-and-gun the Suns are always a threat. So watch out for the Suns
Eastern Conference Champions: Cleveland Cavaliers, I like Cleveland as is they are much deeper than the Celtics, Boston has no one who can match-up with LeBron the Cavs can wins the East as is, would Vince Carter help, sure Vince Carter would help but they don't need him. If Mo Williams continues to play at All-Star level and Big Z stays deathly, other than an injury to LeBron nothing in the East can stop them.
Western Conference Champions: San Antonio Spurs, So much for the end of the road for the Spurs, they've actually gotten younger and better with Roger Mason, the steal of the draft George Hill, and Matt Bonnar so they've getting better and are not at the end of road as I predicted. (Note to readers: never listen to my NBA picks they are probably all wrong, making this whole article pointless, but I won't be like the Sopranos and leave you hanging) But this isn't your older brother's Spurs (bad I know). One more thing they are a hellish match-up for the Lakers, they are way tougher than LA, Odom and Gasol will crinch at the idea of getting posted up by Duncan and I'm also not sold on the Lakers point men Famar and Fisher were getting killed off the dribble by Rajon Rondo and Mo Williams imagine what Parker can do to them.
Now for the moment everyone who has acutally made it this far in this freakishly long NBA picks column has been waiting for. My NBA Finals Champion! San Antonio vs. Cleveland
NBA Finals Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers, This will be a close series but the Cavs one thing the Spurs don't. LeBron James. The Spurs have no one who can stop him the only team that does is the Hornets and James Posey isn't even that good of a match-up. They have Bruce Bowen, but if the put Bowen in the game then they have to pull Roger Mason and all his production or keep him and pull Manu, neither good. It's just a terrible match-up, or they put Duncan on him but LeBron would kill Duncan off the dribble and that mean Roger Mason would have to guard Ben Wallace or Varejao which is also an awful match-up. So the Cavs will win the Finals and LeBron will Finals MVP.
That is all I got I will be back really soon with my UFC 95 picks but enjoy the rest of the NBA season. Peace out
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