Memphis Grizzlies Triple Tower

Remember the Spurs Twin Tower of David Robinson and Tim Duncan ?

Well then, expect that Memphis Grizzlies to match or surpass the Twin Tower combination this season with the arrival of two seven footer in the person of Marc Gasol and Iranian Hamed Haddadi.

We all know that the younger brother is also a towering Guy, although he seems to be more stronger and wide bodied compared to Pau.

If you've seen the Olympics, you probably see the power of Marc Gasol. Flexing his muscle way inside the paint is a tough task but Marc seems not bothered at all whoever was in front of him, whether it be Dwight Howard or Chris Bosh.

Another Big Guy who was quite impressive in the Olympics was Iranian Hamed Haddadi.

The 7-foot-2, 254-pound Haddadi led all Olympians in Beijing in rebounding (11.2) and blocks (2.6) while averaging 16.6 points in five games for Iran, which did not advance to the medal round. Haddadi, who was not selected in the 2004 NBA Draft, drew the interest of several NBA teams when the Iranian team competed against NBA teams this summer in Utah.

The Iranian team tops the Asian Qualifying because of this Guy.

Now if Darko Milicic won't be traded to other team, they'll be having a Triple Tower combination.
But there is a downside here, if they use all the three players at the same time, they;ll be slower, which is why I think Milicic will be traded.

There are rumors that he'll be traded to the New York Knicks.

Expect the Grizzlies to barge in the playoff this coming season.

New Teams for some NBA Players

It looks like NBA teams are getting busy this early. One month after the Celtics bagged the NBA title, there are already a lot of blue chip players who have been traded to other teams.

Elton Brand will surely provide muscle for the 76ers who made a surprise appearance in the playoff last season. Partnering with Iguodala,Miller and Dalembert will give them a fearsome look.

Jermaine O' Neal boost the stock of the Raptors and somehow solidify the frontline of the team. Now the East have their version of the Twin Towers with Chris Bosh and Jermaine O' Neal.

Richard Jefferson has a new team with the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian. Looks like the Nets is gonna sport a new look this coming season.

My favorite team, the Indiana Pacers has seven new players in the team.Good thing they got TJ Ford,Rasho Nesterovic and Jarrett Jack plus two new rookie in the person of Brandon Rush, a 6' 6" swingman who played NCAA 2008 Champion Kansas, and Roy Hibbert a 7-2, 278-pound center, played four seasons at Georgetown, averaging 10.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg.

While the Orlando Magic has acquired the services of Mickael Pietrus to add more depth to their bench.

I'll talk about the Western team on my next post. So Keep it up here.

The Lakers are still Alive

This time the L.A. Lakers survived the onslaught of the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a win of 103-98.

Winning the Game 5 of the NBA Finals cuts the deficit of the series to 2-3.Game 6 Would be tough because I am pretty sure that the Celtics want to end the series right away.

No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in NBA history.The Lakers are only two wins away from doing that. But up against the Mighty Celtics, I think that they might have a hard time doing it.

My prediction that Lakers will win it six games is already history, now that the Celtics can end it Game 6.

The Lakers started the Game once again with an early big lead just like in Game 4, but this time they managed to hold on to it.The Celtics even tied it at 90-all with less than 5 minutes remaining.This time Kobe Bryant diplayed flashes of brilliance down the stretch.

I think that Game 6 will be toughest of the series with the Title on the line for the Celtics and survival for the Lakers.

It would be Great if the Lakers face the Celtics in the Finals

The L.A. Lakers just trounced the defending champions San Antonio Spurs to advance to the Finals. Lakers won the series 4-1.

The Last time that the Lakers advanced to the Finals was in 2004. Led by All Stars Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton. Karl Malone transferred to the Lakers that season hoping to bag a championship before he retires. But destiny would not permit it, the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the Finals, putting an end to the career of Karl Malone with no Championship won.

Luckily for Gary Payton, he was signed up by the Miami Heat in 2005-2006 season and got a Championship with Shaq, Wade and the rest of the Heat.

Now Kobe Bryant has a shot of getting the Championship ring without Shaquille O’Neal around.

This time around help will come with Spaniard Pau Gasol. Ever since the trade of Gasol to the Lakers, Lakers are on a roll. Gasol easily blended with his new team. Pau Gasol easily adapted to the triangle offense instilled by Phil Jackson.

Boston or Detroit ? That’s the question that’s been buzzing now. Boston has 3-2 lead over the Pistons, but they are not yet out.

It would be great if the Celtics reach the Finals. It would be renewing fabled rivalry. But if the Pistons make it, I am pretty sure that they want to repeat what happened four years ago. While Revenge will be on the mind of the Lakers.

The Spurs are in Big Danger

Defending champion San Antonio Spurs is once again in danger of being eliminated in the playoffs. They just lost to the Lakers 93-91 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals right at their homecourt.

Maybe they just don't have the drive to defend their crown. Since winning every other year have always been the habit of the Spurs since 2003.Their lineup is aging now, they must pull their act together to come from 1-3 deficit to advance to the NBA Finals.

If the Spurs lose this series against the Lakers, they will be tagged as the only dynasty team that failed to win back to back crown. Or perhaps you cannot call them a dynasty because they didn't dominate a straight year instead they are winning the Championship every other year.

Another loss and its goodbye for the Spurs. Its time to wake up.

Are the Celtics for real ?

Ok, the Celtics may have lost in their homecourt for the first time in the playoffs, but looked at them bounce back.

Crushing the Detroit Pistons and winning their first road game in the post season. It's a tall order for the Celtics and I thought that they would succumb to the pressure and lost. But no, they managed to hold on and won their very first on the road.

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Now that's what I am talking about, Big Time player should step up now because its playoff time, if you blink you're in danger of being eliminated.

Let's wait tonight if the Celtics can steal another one from Detroit tonight. Or the Pistons equalize the series in the Eastern Finals.

Can the Celtics finally win one at the Road ?

The Boston Celtics are just having a hard time winning on the road since the playoff started. They now have five losses at the road.

But the question, will be answered when the Celtics visits the Cavaliers. They lost two in a row at Cleveland and I don't think Le Bron James will allow the Celtics to shut them out at their home court.

The problem with the Celtics is that there Big Three is shy of one another. They are too nice with each other, that's why they've been losing on the road.

One of these Big Three should step up big time if they wanna win, one of them has to score 40 points or more. Neither of the three are taking charge in offense. Look at what James been doing to his team, his taking charge of his team and that's the reason they're in the second round.

It's playoff time, one has to step up big. So can the Boston Celtics win one at the road ? Or Le Bron James and the Cavaliers lives for Game 7 ?

The answer after Game 6.

It's Playoff time

It is playoff time, and here is my prediction as to who will win in their own series match up. First let’s head to what others may say the Weak East.

Boston vs. Atlanta. It is clear that the Celtics will simply just walk in this series. I don’t think that the Hawks can match up to the Big Three. I think Boston will sweep the series. Although having the league best record does not guarantee an easy win in the playoff. Just like what happened to the Mavericks last year. But I doubt that Atlanta have the talent as same as those Warriors who pulled the Mavericks out of contention last year.

Cleveland vs. Washington. Its their third straight year to meet in the playoff and Cleveland always prevailed in the series. This year they are 2-2 with each other, unless the Wizards find a way to stop King James from wreaking havoc, I think that the Cavaliers will take the series in six games.

Orlando vs. Toronto. Two promising young big men slug it out in this series. Dwight Howard of the Magic and Chris Bosh of the Raptors try to out muscle each other. I think that the Black Superman will prevail over Bosh Raptors, considering that Howard had just bulked up his body. Plus he has a lot of support from shooters Rashard Lewis and Hedo Torkoglu, who I think will win this year’s Most Improved Player. Orlando Magic will win it six games.

Detroit vs. Philadelphia. It’s a surprised to almost everyone when the 76ers made it to the palyoff this year. They were regarded as the Dark Horse and they have just proven that they can move on even without Allen Iverson but they are face with the task of beating the Detroit Piston, the most consistent and coherent in the Eastern Conference for the last five years. Loaded with four super starters with Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace. Just a defensive stop on Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala and the 76ers are in deep trouble. Detroit in five games.

NBA's TOP TEN Today

NBA Blockbuster Trade Thoughts

Here is my assessment on this year's NBA Trade :

Cavaliers. They acquired Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Chicago and Seattle for Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, Donyell Marshall and Cedric Simmons.)

Cleveland is . . . better? Marginally so; Szczerbiak is a dead-eye shooter and Wallace a good pickup for battles down the road. But if the Cavs have more playoff-tested veterans now, they also are a little older and slower. They will now have to slug games out in the paint, and you wonder how LeBron James feels about that.

Mavericks. (They acquired Jason Kidd and Malik Allen from New Jersey for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Keith Van Horn, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell and draft picks.)
Van Horn saved Dallas by taking a prorated $4 million to play for two months. Kidd should make the game easier for everyone. But Dallas has to break through and win a title now. And the Mavs will miss Diop's size just as much as Harris' quickness.

Suns. (They acquired Shaquille O'Neal from Miami for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.)
Phoenix rolled the dice by bringing in the 36-year-old Shaq, but the bigger question is whether Amare Stoudemire can do what Marion did for the Suns at the defensive end. If Wednesday's home loss to the Lakers is any indication, the Suns have work to do. But the trade was still worth making; it gives Phoenix desperately needed size up front.

Lakers. (They acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, and draft picks.)
How can one say anything different after watching a rejuvenated Gasol, who has fit right in with Kobe Bryant and the surging Lakers? Los Angeles also opted not to move Lamar Odom before the deadline, giving this group a chance to mesh. GM Mitch Kupchak should drive to Vegas tonight and bet the ranch. He's on a roll.

Spurs. (They acquired Kurt Thomas from Seattle for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, and a 2009 first-round pick. They also signed Damon Stoudamire.)
San Antonio strikes again, getting the rugged Thomas for the playoff run in the physical West while not having to mortgage any of its key pieces. Stoudamire should help down the stretch if starter Tony Parker continues to be slowed by injuries.

Jazz. (They acquired Kyle Korver from the Sixers for Gordan Giricek.)
This December deal is still paying big dividends for Utah. Korver has fit right into the Jazz' halfcourt sets, and his presence allows Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer more room inside to operate

I just think the L.A. Lakers is the biggest winner among these blockbuster trade deal, with the Mavericks coming in second.

SHAQUILLE O NEAL joins Phoenix Suns

Wise and brilliant move by Shaquille O Neal, I think before he retires he want another championship ring. He just packed his bag and left for Phoenix Suns to be sure that he have a big chance of getting that elusive fifth championship ring.

Although it’s not yet official, it would likely to push through. Shawn Marion will head to Miami Heat in exchange for the Big Man. These will be exciting for the Miami Heat since they now have two of the high flying wingman in the NBA. With Wade and Marion combining forces expect the Heat to change their basketball type, it’ll be like slam and jam type of game for the Heat.

As for the Phoenix Suns, their run and gun style will definitely take a backseat for now. It will be now the Two Towers play now since Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O Neal will man the paint now, plus the slashing of Grant Hill and the no look pass of Steve Nash.

This will just spice up the Wild Wild Western Conference. I’m pretty sure that other teams like the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks will be worried. They might even think of reshuffling their team before the trade deadline.

I am sure that Shaquille O Neal will be unstoppable anew with his new team, remember when he was starting with Orlando Magic, L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat. He brought all this team to the Championship and he was successful with Lakers and Heat.

The questionsnow are, Can Shaq jell well with the rest of the Suns? Can he bring Phoenix Suns to the Promised Land?

Meltdown at Miami

I was surprised at what is happening around the NBA these days. Who would have thought that the NBA Champs two years ago, the Miami Heat are now languishing at the cellar at the Eastern Division with an unlucky thirteen game losing streak.

Of course they did start the season with a 0-5 record, with Dwayne Wade still injured at the start of the season. And as luck would have it, it was Shaq’s turn to get injured during their recent thirteen game slump and still counting.

They were the defending champions last year, but they were derailed by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. So a roster revamp is inevitable. Trading Antoine Walker to the T-Wolves in exchange for Ricky Davis may just have been a bad move for the Heat. In my opinion, Ricky Davis and Wade play just the same way, unlike Walker who is not only a scorer but also a bruiser and a body banger. The Heat should have at least get someone who had some of Walker’s capability.

Another that got traded who seems to be lucky now is James Posey, unlike Walker’s T-Wolves who have the worst record in the NBA, traded to the powerhouse Boston Celtics. The Heat simply missed his outside shot during crunch time.

Another bad mistake for the Heat is not re-signing Gary Payton, I still choose Payton’s playmaking skills over Jason Williams sometimes selfish plays. Gary Payton brings direction, leadership to the team when his around.

If I were Pat Riley I put in Gary Payton back at the lineup, there is still time to catch up, its only midseason. Shaq and Dwayne should give their damn very best if they want to return to their glory days.

After almost a month...

After almost a month, the Boston Celtics just dominated their first ten games with only a single loss coming form the hands of the Orlando Magic.

I was surprised that the Big Three of the Celtics would jell easily and lose only once. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen seems to be playing good music after all. But the question now, can they maintain good teamwork and lead the team to the Finals? Or will they falter just like the LA Lakers of 2004, with Shaq, Kobe, Malone and Payton?

Another surpise is Milwaukee Bucks whose leading his division now, same as with the Orlando Magic. Well of course, the Magic got Rashard Lewis from the Seattle Supersonic. And he has been a great addition to the team.

Over at the Western Conference, Defending champion San Antonio Spurs still dominate the West with a 12-2 record, followed closely by Phoenix Suns at 11-2 and the Utah Jazz at 10-4. Its no surprise that the Spurs dominate the West, of course most people still think they can win mist games. But the big question for them, can they finally win back to back title this time?

I can say that if the Big Three of the Spurs remained helathy, they can finally nail down that back to back championship.

For my profile at Technorati,Technorati Profile

NBA 2K8 greatest basketball game out there

If there is one basketball game out in the market today that truly stands out, it must be 2K Sports NBA 2K8. With Chris Paul on the cover, this game surely displays its greatness from the graphic to the sounds to the player moves.

2K Sports has consistently made their franchise fun to play and truly enjoyable. The player images richly resemble the players they were copied from. Even the moves and the skills of each player were outstanding.

Although NBA LIVE 08 have the FIBA Mode, NBA 2K8 has the draft class from 2000 to present, also the International All Stars. They even have the Jordan All Stars which consist of Chris Paul, Rip Hamilton, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony etc.

One flaw about this game, if they’re gonna put a Jordan All Star team, perhaps Michael Jordan should be included in lineup. Now that would be great, calling the attention of 2K sports please include Michael Jordan. And please include Michael Jordan in your Superstar All Stars Roster.

NBA 2K8 is a must have for basketball gamers out there. From a scale of 1 to 10 this is an 8.5

GOT A BALL.. GOT A GAME

Just got a copy of the latest game from EA Sports, NBA Live 08. It’s always exciting when you got a new game to play. NBA Live 08 has Gilbert Arenas , with his gold and black Wizards uniform, on the cover. Whereas EA Sports always have new player on each year of their NBA game franchise.

The rosters are accurate as of July 26, 2007 which is still too early for some players to get contract or be signed up. Some teams actually has five or more spots on their roster vacant, but if you look at their free agent pool there are players who now have teams to play and you just finish your roster management and your ready to go. This is the beauty of this game, compare to other NBA games, here you can sign up and trade players.

Voice over announcers, Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, are still the same just as last year with also some dialogue repeating from last year NBA Live 07. EA should have at least updated this portion. Graphics and camera angle are much better this year compare to last year game.

No X-factor mode this time, but you got a Player Hot spots where the red spots indicate that the player has a higher probability of making the shot. You just need to view each player with his Hot Spot. NBA All Star weekend mode, freestyle challenge mode are still there. This year’s EA trax is not that bad at all, although I prefer last year’s trax, Hip hopping beat to the full.

What surprise me in this game is the FIBA World Championship Mode and the inclusion of international teams from last year FIBA World Championship like Spain, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, China and of course USA. I tried pitting Spain against China, and I lost by a twenty point margin, it will probably take a lot of time to master the moves of those Spaniards Ballers. Boards was dominated by Yao Ming and Wang Zhi Zhi, Pau Gasol and Garbajosa are outrebounded in that game. Team USA is the strongest team with a power rank of 96 compare to other international team. Maybe next year they should include all the countries that participated in the FIBA,that would be cool. It makes you feel like your playing for your country.

On a rating of 1 to 10, I’ll rate this one 7.5