Hoopin it up

Some pro basketball-shaped Random Thoughts bouncing around in my skull….


1- Overall grade for All-Star weekend: B-. Here’s a breakdown of the various events that took place.

-H.O.R.S.E. was fun for a while, but once the players stopped being creative with their shots, it lost its luster. Next year, they need to move it inside the arena as part of A-S Saturday Night and also allow players to use teammates as props. Watching Kevin Durant drain three after three wasn’t too thrilling, especially since he had done the exact same thing the night before in the Rookie-Sophomore game.

-The Skills Contest was good, for the sole reason that D-Rose took the title to Chicago. I can’t remember the last time a Bull was called the most skilled at anything, so that’s an achievement in itself.

-The dunk contest, one of my favorite events in all of sports, was a major downer for me. Eventual champion Nate Robinson’s jam over runner-up Dwight Howard was impressive, as was Howard’s lob of the side of the backboard that he tomahawked in. The defending champ also had a nice dunk on the 12-foot high rim, but it looked like he could have gone even higher. Other than that though, not much to discuss. I felt the judges were way too kind with scores on dunks that the players couldn’t execute on their first or second try, or on dunks where a certain player used another as a step (How is that impressive if the other player is making the dunk much easier?) Hopefully the rumors are true and next year we can see Howard and Robinson take on King James.

-Usually the game itself is fun to watch but not great basketball, and 2009’s was no exception. The East got off to a nice start thanks to LeBron and Paul Pierce, but in the end the West squad was too much, with former teammates/enemies Shaq and Kobe teaming up and eventually winning co-MVP’s. The two most memorable moments came courtesy of the Big Shaq-tus as he’s known now, this dance and this pass.

2- All the talk in the city of Chicago these days, when the topic is basketball, is the rumored trade between the Bulls and Phoenix Suns that would bring in power forward Amare Stodumire. My good friend Danny posted a Top 10 list today on why it’s a good idea, and I agree with him on most aspects. But what would be a proposed move by one of my favorite teams if I didn’t provide some doubt, and here it is. Amare doesn’t play a lick of defense, never has and most likely, never will. Can the Bulls afford, literally and figuratively, to trade for a player who won’t provide any help on the defensive end? Acquiring Stodumire will mean signing him to a max-contract, followed by signing Rose to max-deal as soon as the rookie’s contract allows him to. That’s two high-priced players who aren’t too interested in guarding anybody. Add in Luol Deng, who the team re-signed last summer for $71 million, and that’s a lot of cap space filled up with offensive-focused guys. Just something to think about.


3- Here are my rankings of the six teams I think still have a chance at winning the NBA Title:

6: New Orleans--- The Hornets have really struggled this season, most likely because I picked them at the start of the year to win it all. Still, in a short series, I wouldn’t want the task of stopping Chris Paul.

5: Orlando--- Losing Jameer Nelson really hurt the Magic, because he was their one perimeter player who felt comfortable driving to the basket. If he returns, or they can find a solid replacement at point guard, Orlando will be tough to top.

4: Boston--- Yeah, they are the defending chaps, and they still have the Big Three. But something just doesn’t seem right about them, most likely due to having Leon Powe and Big Baby Davis as their top reserves. Still wouldn’t be a shock seeing them winning it all.

3: San Antonio--- Don’t ever underestimate the Spurs. Duncan, Parker and Manu have all been there before and each can take over a playoff game with their unique skill-set. Add in Roger Mason, Jr., who is quickly turning into a new edition of Big Shot Rob (call him Big Shot Rog) and S.A. will be there at the very end.

2: Cleveland--- The way LeBron is playing right now and the way the fans at the Q seem to make noise seem to make noise from opening tip to final buzzer, it’d be foolish to pick against the Cavs in the East. Only thing that concerns me is at the end of the game, if James is being tightly defended, who can step up and make the important shot. Mo Williams should be that guy, but he disappeared in the two games this year versus the…

1: Las Angeles Lakers--- If they clinch home court throughout the playoffs, it’s over. Nobody is going into Staples and taking home the title like Boston did last year. Kobe is on a Jordan-level mission this year to redeem himself from last year’s disaster, Pau Gasol is improving every game, and role players Lamar Odom, Derrick Fisher and Luke Walton add the support that all winning teams need to have.


4- I have more thoughts, especially about college hoops, but no more time to write them. Expect another post later in the week.