My wife is a beast. This is probably a term that most women wouldn’t take to very kindly…especially my wife, who admittedly battled weight problems through high school (and endured the very nickname the beast from her brothers in a not-so-nice meaning) before becoming her presently very fit self. But now she is a beast in the very best sense of the word.
A little context here: the name of this blog is kind of a self-deprecating look at my own athletic prowess. If you came to watch me play on a basketball court or football field of Average Joes, I might come across as the best player out there on that particular day. But that’s with “Average Joes.” If you did this with Krissy and replaced Joes with Josephines, she would not might come across as the best player…she would be the best player by light years. If she were the author of this blog, “B-Court All-Star” wouldn’t be an apt title; “A-Court Superstar” would be much more on point.
When healthy, I am a good all-around athlete. Good is the operative word. Relative to other girls, my wife is in the top 0.01%...I don’t really know the odds; she might be better than that even. I am admittedly totally biased, but it’s not just hyperbole. She was a 3 sport varsity athlete in high school (having never played before, she just picked up tennis because she didn’t have anything to play in the spring…picked up). She was a junior college All-American softball player in high school, and a Division I Team MVP in her senior season in the same sport. She passed on an opportunity to play professionally overseas after her college career ended.
To say she is a natural athlete would be the understatement of the century. I’m a terrible ice skater, but Krissy had never been ice skating before. We went a few years ago for her 1st time with my sister and my dad (a seasoned skater who grew up playing pick-up ice hockey on his backyard pond). She fell once within her 1st 5 minutes on the ice…after that she was skating around the rink 90 mph backwards right on my old man’s heals.
Since crossing over from the collegiate ranks to the B-Court with me, she definitely has distinguished herself. Wherever I have played pickup basketball over the years, she has always played along with me. And she doesn’t simply play…she is one of the best players on the court, and that is as the only girl playing with a bunch of dudes.
In our coed touch football league, she started out as one of the all-around best girls in the league. For the past 4 seasons, she’s operated as our full-time quarterback. She’s the only girl that I know of who has done that even for 1 season…did I mention that she was pregnant for 2 of those seasons? Not just like conceived-halfway-through-the-season pregnant…like, super-pregnant…like played-our-last-game-in-November-and-gave-birth-in-January (or May-and-due-in-September) pregnant. Did I mention we’ve made the playoffs in 3 of those 4 seasons – 2 of them the pregnant variety – as well?
So, this Saturday when we lost our playoff game, Krissy was super-pissed the entire car ride home. But all I could think of was how improbably it is to do what she has done. I mean, she should have an article written about her in the paper or something…but since The Baltimore Sun hasn’t come calling, this is probably the best I can do. To my wife, Krissy: the beauty and the beast.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
2014 NBA Power Rankings, Playoff Edition (Volume 4): Timberrrr
It's bad enough that no-talent hack Pitbull was on the NBA's playoff theme song last year , but this year's theme is just too much.
Now I have to see his mug 30 times a night with this garbage. Not only is the actual song 1,000 times worse, but Pitbull's stupid midget face is stamped across the screen the whole time. Just...what exactly was ABC/ESPN thinking? Playoffs...playoffs...playoffs...get the f*** outta here, you wannabe piece of s***!
1. Miami Heat (PR=1)...The Spurs actually had a chance to knock Miami off of the top spot last night, but they couldn't complete the sweep. LeBron's 49 and 4th quarter passing pretty much shows why the Heat should still be the favorites despite their obvious shortcomings.
2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=2)...Do you see me worried? Spurs in 5, you guys. Ho, hum, big whoop.
3. Indiana Pacers (PR=6)...Definitely the biggest fluctuator (word or not a word?) in this list. Here's their high point thus far. Inconsistencies, disappearing big men, and fist fights aside, they have won 5 of their last 6 games now. Suddenly, a knock down, drag out Conference Finals with Miami seems within the realm of possibilities again.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (PR=5)...Hard to differentiate much between them and the Clippers, but I'll give them the nod based on getting home court advantage back (and looking like the better team for most of 3 straight games)...most.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (PR=4)...I would love to see them advance, but they need someone to make a basket once in a while besides CP3 and Griffin. They're still only the West's 3rd best though.
6. Portland Trailblazers (PR=3)...They win the best spot of the 3 losing teams only because they won last night. (See San Antonio Spurs bullet though.)
7. Brooklyn Nets (PR=8)...KG and Pierce are warriors, but it's time for the very loud, very old, very expensive Nets to go away for the summer. Please don't forget to take your parting gifts on the way out. (Spoiler: there are no parting gifts.)
8. Washington Wizards (PR=7)...If losing 2 home playoff games in the manner that they did doesn't spell not ready for this stage yet, I don't know what does. Hopefully, they will be better next year for having this experience.
Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors
Dallas Mavericks
Now I have to see his mug 30 times a night with this garbage. Not only is the actual song 1,000 times worse, but Pitbull's stupid midget face is stamped across the screen the whole time. Just...what exactly was ABC/ESPN thinking? Playoffs...playoffs...playoffs...get the f*** outta here, you wannabe piece of s***!
1. Miami Heat (PR=1)...The Spurs actually had a chance to knock Miami off of the top spot last night, but they couldn't complete the sweep. LeBron's 49 and 4th quarter passing pretty much shows why the Heat should still be the favorites despite their obvious shortcomings.
2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=2)...Do you see me worried? Spurs in 5, you guys. Ho, hum, big whoop.
3. Indiana Pacers (PR=6)...Definitely the biggest fluctuator (word or not a word?) in this list. Here's their high point thus far. Inconsistencies, disappearing big men, and fist fights aside, they have won 5 of their last 6 games now. Suddenly, a knock down, drag out Conference Finals with Miami seems within the realm of possibilities again.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (PR=5)...Hard to differentiate much between them and the Clippers, but I'll give them the nod based on getting home court advantage back (and looking like the better team for most of 3 straight games)...most.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (PR=4)...I would love to see them advance, but they need someone to make a basket once in a while besides CP3 and Griffin. They're still only the West's 3rd best though.
6. Portland Trailblazers (PR=3)...They win the best spot of the 3 losing teams only because they won last night. (See San Antonio Spurs bullet though.)
7. Brooklyn Nets (PR=8)...KG and Pierce are warriors, but it's time for the very loud, very old, very expensive Nets to go away for the summer. Please don't forget to take your parting gifts on the way out. (Spoiler: there are no parting gifts.)
8. Washington Wizards (PR=7)...If losing 2 home playoff games in the manner that they did doesn't spell not ready for this stage yet, I don't know what does. Hopefully, they will be better next year for having this experience.
Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors
Dallas Mavericks
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Ad Nausem: "I Don't Always Find Kevin Hart To Be Funny..."
...but when I do, I prefer him in this Inside the NBA commercial. His imitations of all the guys on set are pretty on point. Even I could laugh at this one. He got me...he really got me.
Oh, and the real reason behind Roy Hibbert's 28 point explosion last night? It's because Roy is an avid reader of B-Court All-Star of course. Didn't you know? I guess with that being said, I should leave the prognosticating to the real Shaq, Ernie, Kenny, and Chuck (well, maybe not Shaq).
And yet, I got the Heat tonight in a much closer contest than Game 1 and the Spurs in another route...sorry, Portland. That's all I got for today. Barbecue chicken...right, Shaq? Right!
Oh, and the real reason behind Roy Hibbert's 28 point explosion last night? It's because Roy is an avid reader of B-Court All-Star of course. Didn't you know? I guess with that being said, I should leave the prognosticating to the real Shaq, Ernie, Kenny, and Chuck (well, maybe not Shaq).
And yet, I got the Heat tonight in a much closer contest than Game 1 and the Spurs in another route...sorry, Portland. That's all I got for today. Barbecue chicken...right, Shaq? Right!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The 'Real' Roy Hibbert
Poor Roy Hibbert...I know the man has put up donuts in multiple categories in this year's playoffs, but has it really come to this? It's one thing for Samuel L. Jackson to rag on Hibbert on Twitter, but Gilbert Arenas? The man who single-handedly killed the Wizards franchise for about, I dunno, 5 seasons? The player who's greatest accolades are doing number 2 in a teammate's shoe and nearly setting off a fire-fight in a locker room? Or Tracy McGrady? The superstar who never even got out of Round 1 of the playoffs until he rode San Antonio's bench to the Finals last year? (I actually like and feel for T-Mac, but still.)
The truth is that Hibbert's demise has been of epic proportions. Name another All-Star center who had multiple 0 point, 0 rebound postseason games. You can't, because it's never happened before. Everyone is postulating as to why this is. Was it simply a match-up issue against Atlanta, who uses big guys that hover around the 3-point line and shoot 8,000 triples a game? But the Wizards, who Hibbert also vanished against in Game 1 of this series, play 2 traditional bigs in Nene and Gortat. And Hibbert gave Miami, who plays more of a small-ball lineup, fits last year. So, maybe it's partially that, but there are counterarguments to be sure.
Is it purely psychological? Personally, Hibbert doesn't strike me as having a killer's demeanor. This is a guy who was basically a nothing-player until his last season of college ball, and he was a late bloomer on the NBA level as well. Could he be a little bit fragile? You bet your a** he could be. But then again, this doesn't seem like Chuck Knoblauch not being able to throw to 1st base either.
Is there so much turmoil on the Pacers right now, that Hibbert can't function? Now, I'm not a beat reporter, but the troubles within the Pacers' organization are well documented. Larry Bird isn't sold on Coach Frank Vogul. Lance Stephenson is a ticking timebomb ready to go off at any moment, and he apparently has gotten into it with teammates at times this year...at least he did with Evan Turner. Others we aren't so sure about yet. We all know Indy traded away veteran locker room presence (and apparently very well liked and well respected dude) Danny Granger to bring on Turner and malcontent Andrew Bynum. The point is that this is a team with a lot of strong personalities. When things have gone well for them in the past, the ball moves on offense, and that usually starts with pounding the ball inside to Hibbert. Lately, even when Hibbert's in the game, it doesn't seem like he's getting many touches. The ball seems to stick to Paul George, Stephenson, or David West's hands, and the possession usually seems to end with some version of iso-hero-ball. As dominant as big men can be, they still rely on guards to get them the ball, and that doesn't seem to be happening right now. But even that doesn't excuse Hibbert for not grabbing a rebound or blocking a shot.
I think all of these things play a roll, but truthfully I just don't think Roy Hibbert is that good. In basketball terms, this age should be known as The Death of the Center. Look at the best centers over the last 10 years or so. A fat old Shaq, Dwight Howard, Yao Ming, and Tim Duncan (sorry, he's not a power forward). Duncan is truly great, but if this were the 70's, 80's, or 90's, I think Yao Ming would've projected to a slightly better Rik Smits. Maybe that is sacrelidge for me to say, but that's how I feel. And in those eras, I'm not sure Howard would have ever even made an All-Star game. Sure, he's a freakish athlete, but I think guys like Patrick Ewing, young Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson would have eaten him alive. And who is on that next level of recent centers? Joakim Noah, Bynum, Marc Gasol, and Hibbert maybe?
So, I guess my point is this: lay off of Roy Hibbert a little bit. He's a 2 time All-Star, but even in his best statistical season (2011-2012), he only averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds a game...those are pretty pedestrian numbers if you ask me. I think the fact that he matches up well with Miami and got hot against them in last year's playoffs put the spot light on him too much. I watched this guy play at Georgetown; Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, and Alonzo Mouring he is not. When he was a freshman in college, he ran in such a way that made you wonder if he could even get up and down the court and back. When you think about the improvements he made to actually be an NBA-level player, it's amazing. I'm not giving him a complete pass either. I think he can do better than a line of 0, 0, and 0. But he's not what we've made him out to be either.
No, this is too much.
The truth is that Hibbert's demise has been of epic proportions. Name another All-Star center who had multiple 0 point, 0 rebound postseason games. You can't, because it's never happened before. Everyone is postulating as to why this is. Was it simply a match-up issue against Atlanta, who uses big guys that hover around the 3-point line and shoot 8,000 triples a game? But the Wizards, who Hibbert also vanished against in Game 1 of this series, play 2 traditional bigs in Nene and Gortat. And Hibbert gave Miami, who plays more of a small-ball lineup, fits last year. So, maybe it's partially that, but there are counterarguments to be sure.
Is it purely psychological? Personally, Hibbert doesn't strike me as having a killer's demeanor. This is a guy who was basically a nothing-player until his last season of college ball, and he was a late bloomer on the NBA level as well. Could he be a little bit fragile? You bet your a** he could be. But then again, this doesn't seem like Chuck Knoblauch not being able to throw to 1st base either.
Is there so much turmoil on the Pacers right now, that Hibbert can't function? Now, I'm not a beat reporter, but the troubles within the Pacers' organization are well documented. Larry Bird isn't sold on Coach Frank Vogul. Lance Stephenson is a ticking timebomb ready to go off at any moment, and he apparently has gotten into it with teammates at times this year...at least he did with Evan Turner. Others we aren't so sure about yet. We all know Indy traded away veteran locker room presence (and apparently very well liked and well respected dude) Danny Granger to bring on Turner and malcontent Andrew Bynum. The point is that this is a team with a lot of strong personalities. When things have gone well for them in the past, the ball moves on offense, and that usually starts with pounding the ball inside to Hibbert. Lately, even when Hibbert's in the game, it doesn't seem like he's getting many touches. The ball seems to stick to Paul George, Stephenson, or David West's hands, and the possession usually seems to end with some version of iso-hero-ball. As dominant as big men can be, they still rely on guards to get them the ball, and that doesn't seem to be happening right now. But even that doesn't excuse Hibbert for not grabbing a rebound or blocking a shot.
I think all of these things play a roll, but truthfully I just don't think Roy Hibbert is that good. In basketball terms, this age should be known as The Death of the Center. Look at the best centers over the last 10 years or so. A fat old Shaq, Dwight Howard, Yao Ming, and Tim Duncan (sorry, he's not a power forward). Duncan is truly great, but if this were the 70's, 80's, or 90's, I think Yao Ming would've projected to a slightly better Rik Smits. Maybe that is sacrelidge for me to say, but that's how I feel. And in those eras, I'm not sure Howard would have ever even made an All-Star game. Sure, he's a freakish athlete, but I think guys like Patrick Ewing, young Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson would have eaten him alive. And who is on that next level of recent centers? Joakim Noah, Bynum, Marc Gasol, and Hibbert maybe?
Honestly, it's tough to come up with names for that list.
So, I guess my point is this: lay off of Roy Hibbert a little bit. He's a 2 time All-Star, but even in his best statistical season (2011-2012), he only averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds a game...those are pretty pedestrian numbers if you ask me. I think the fact that he matches up well with Miami and got hot against them in last year's playoffs put the spot light on him too much. I watched this guy play at Georgetown; Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, and Alonzo Mouring he is not. When he was a freshman in college, he ran in such a way that made you wonder if he could even get up and down the court and back. When you think about the improvements he made to actually be an NBA-level player, it's amazing. I'm not giving him a complete pass either. I think he can do better than a line of 0, 0, and 0. But he's not what we've made him out to be either.
Monday, May 5, 2014
2014 NBA Power Rankings, Playoff Edition (Volume 3): Round 2!
Phew, what a whirlwind of a day...and what whirlwind of a Round 1! Listen, I will still argue to the day I die that Round 1 should go back to a best of 5 format, but if you ever wanted to argue in favor of the current best of 7 format, 2014 would be Exhibit A...so good that now my last 3 posts have been NBA Power Rankings posts.
1. Miami Heat (PR=1)...I mean, they are the only remaining team to not even play a game since the last edition of the Rankings, so this top spot is pretty elementary.
2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=2)...I know the Mavs pushed them to 7 games, but I never even got the sense that the Spurs played poorly; the Mavs were just good!
3. Portland Trailblazers (PR=3)...Boring...a repeat of last week's top 3, but it's tough to put anyone else ahead of Portland right now.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (PR=4)...I can't f***ing wait for this Clips-Thunder series. Slight edge goes to LA because OKC's style of play plays right into the Clips' hands, but KD may average 45 a night too.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (PR=4)...I'm not sure if they can stop CP3 or Griffin though, and as evidenced by the last series, Russell Westbrook is due for at least 2 games this series where he goes 10 for 28 with 6 TOs while Durant gets less than 20 shots.
6. Indiana Pacers (PR=12)...Oh yeah, almost forgot about the Eastern Conference! Although I think the Pacers will regain a little bit of footing in this series playing against a much better team that they also match up a little better against.
7. Washington Wizards (PR=8)...Dropping below Indy on gut feeling alone this week. Although I'd love to see them get to the Conference Finals.
8. Brooklyn Nets (PR=9)...If not for them having a couple old Celtics who still hate Miami and them beating Miami 4 straight this year, I'd have no interest in this series at all...but I'm saying there's a chance.
Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors
Dallas Mavericks
1. Miami Heat (PR=1)...I mean, they are the only remaining team to not even play a game since the last edition of the Rankings, so this top spot is pretty elementary.
2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=2)...I know the Mavs pushed them to 7 games, but I never even got the sense that the Spurs played poorly; the Mavs were just good!
3. Portland Trailblazers (PR=3)...Boring...a repeat of last week's top 3, but it's tough to put anyone else ahead of Portland right now.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (PR=4)...I can't f***ing wait for this Clips-Thunder series. Slight edge goes to LA because OKC's style of play plays right into the Clips' hands, but KD may average 45 a night too.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (PR=4)...I'm not sure if they can stop CP3 or Griffin though, and as evidenced by the last series, Russell Westbrook is due for at least 2 games this series where he goes 10 for 28 with 6 TOs while Durant gets less than 20 shots.
6. Indiana Pacers (PR=12)...Oh yeah, almost forgot about the Eastern Conference! Although I think the Pacers will regain a little bit of footing in this series playing against a much better team that they also match up a little better against.
7. Washington Wizards (PR=8)...Dropping below Indy on gut feeling alone this week. Although I'd love to see them get to the Conference Finals.
8. Brooklyn Nets (PR=9)...If not for them having a couple old Celtics who still hate Miami and them beating Miami 4 straight this year, I'd have no interest in this series at all...but I'm saying there's a chance.
Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors
Dallas Mavericks
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
2014 NBA Power Rankings, Playoff Edition (Volume 2): FUBAR
Don't know what that last word means? Look it up! Because that's what this year's NBA Playoffs are for what was thought to be some of the league's top teams. Holy hell...let's dive right into it, shall we?
1. Miami Heat (PR=2)...They got brownie points 12 days ago just for being the 2 time defending champ, but now it looks like ranking them that high was the way to go. They didn't exactly look like world-beaters in any of their games against Charlotte, but the Heat are the only - I repeat, only - team to take care of business and sweep into Round 2.
2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=1)...They are only this high because of a similar brownie point philosophy used for Miami, and they got home court advantage back against the Mavs with last night's win, but Dallas is making them work.
3. Portland Trailblazers (PR=9)...They jump this high basically by default, as every other Western Conference series is tied 2-2. Still, LaMarcus Aldridge is a beast.
4. [Tie] Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors (PR=what?)...In their 2 respective series, these 4 teams all have 2 wins apiece, and it's probably a coin flip either way for all of them. OKC is still figuring out how to reintegrate Russell Westbrook, Memphis is a bad matchup for the Thunder, no one knows where the Clippers' heads are at the moment, and the Warriors can shoot their way past anyone. So, you get this: a 4 way Western Conference cuddle-puddle.
8. Washington Wizards (PR=14)...With Indy crumbling, Brooklyn and Toronto capturing the hearts of no one, and Washington beating up on the Bulls, the Wizards officially look like the East's 2nd best team today. If Nene didn't temporarily lose his mind and try out some Greco-Roman wrestling holds on Jimmy Butler, this thing might already have been over.
9. [Tie] Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors (PR=8 and 11, respectively)...Let's be honest here; if Raps GM Masai Ujiri didn't go all Samuel L. Jackson at a Toronto pep rally, no one would even know this series was going on.
11. Houston Rockets (PR=6)...Daryl Morey is kind of right. With 3 OT games in the 1st 4, this series has sort of been a coin flip so far. Except it hasn't, because Houston's 2 best players are the not-so-clutch Dwight Howard and James Harden. Now, down 3-1? See ya. If you have 10 minutes to kill though, this lowlight video of Harden's, umm, defensive prowess is worth it.
12. Indiana Pacers (PR=4)...I mean, I can't say that I saw this coming. I thought Indy would at least get it together to the point that they could scrap their way to the Round 2. But damn...
13. Atlanta Hawks (PR=16)...Hawks fans would probably be p***ed if they saw Atlanta ranked lower than the team they are ahead of in their own series...if Hawks' fans actually read this...if anyone actually read this!
14. Chicago Bulls (PR=12)...I think they will take Game 5 at home, but at this point it's clear that the Wizards are just better. If I had to bet on either the Bulls or Rockets coming back from 3-1 though, I'd take my chances with Chicago.
15. Dallas Mavericks (PR=13)...Have played the Spurs much tougher than anyone thought, but I think they had to have last night's Game 4 in Dallas. Now, I think the Spurs will finish this in 6.
Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
1. Miami Heat (PR=2)...They got brownie points 12 days ago just for being the 2 time defending champ, but now it looks like ranking them that high was the way to go. They didn't exactly look like world-beaters in any of their games against Charlotte, but the Heat are the only - I repeat, only - team to take care of business and sweep into Round 2.
2. San Antonio Spurs (PR=1)...They are only this high because of a similar brownie point philosophy used for Miami, and they got home court advantage back against the Mavs with last night's win, but Dallas is making them work.
3. Portland Trailblazers (PR=9)...They jump this high basically by default, as every other Western Conference series is tied 2-2. Still, LaMarcus Aldridge is a beast.
A beast!
4. [Tie] Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors (PR=what?)...In their 2 respective series, these 4 teams all have 2 wins apiece, and it's probably a coin flip either way for all of them. OKC is still figuring out how to reintegrate Russell Westbrook, Memphis is a bad matchup for the Thunder, no one knows where the Clippers' heads are at the moment, and the Warriors can shoot their way past anyone. So, you get this: a 4 way Western Conference cuddle-puddle.
Pretty much your Western Conference Playoffs in a nutshell.
8. Washington Wizards (PR=14)...With Indy crumbling, Brooklyn and Toronto capturing the hearts of no one, and Washington beating up on the Bulls, the Wizards officially look like the East's 2nd best team today. If Nene didn't temporarily lose his mind and try out some Greco-Roman wrestling holds on Jimmy Butler, this thing might already have been over.
9. [Tie] Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors (PR=8 and 11, respectively)...Let's be honest here; if Raps GM Masai Ujiri didn't go all Samuel L. Jackson at a Toronto pep rally, no one would even know this series was going on.
11. Houston Rockets (PR=6)...Daryl Morey is kind of right. With 3 OT games in the 1st 4, this series has sort of been a coin flip so far. Except it hasn't, because Houston's 2 best players are the not-so-clutch Dwight Howard and James Harden. Now, down 3-1? See ya. If you have 10 minutes to kill though, this lowlight video of Harden's, umm, defensive prowess is worth it.
12. Indiana Pacers (PR=4)...I mean, I can't say that I saw this coming. I thought Indy would at least get it together to the point that they could scrap their way to the Round 2. But damn...
Oh my...
13. Atlanta Hawks (PR=16)...Hawks fans would probably be p***ed if they saw Atlanta ranked lower than the team they are ahead of in their own series...if Hawks' fans actually read this...if anyone actually read this!
14. Chicago Bulls (PR=12)...I think they will take Game 5 at home, but at this point it's clear that the Wizards are just better. If I had to bet on either the Bulls or Rockets coming back from 3-1 though, I'd take my chances with Chicago.
15. Dallas Mavericks (PR=13)...Have played the Spurs much tougher than anyone thought, but I think they had to have last night's Game 4 in Dallas. Now, I think the Spurs will finish this in 6.
Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
Thursday, April 17, 2014
2014 NBA Power Rankings, Playoff Edition
The fact that I ever called these weekly rankings is a joke now. Time to scrap the regular season records, seedings, and even previous rankings, and start from scratch. Can't wait for the playoffs to start!
1. San Antonio Spurs...They were a shot away from winning it all last year. They've been the best team all season long this year. They had 30 road wins this year. There's not a team in this postseason that scares them...number 1 with a bullet if you ask me.
2. Miami Heat...This team is not as good as a season ago. LeBron's still LeBron. But how bad are Wade's knees? Who can be this year's Mike Miller? Are Shane Battier, Ray Allen, and Udonis Haslem basically done as relevant players? Can Odom and Beasily give them anything? At least the seeds fell in a way that they could potentially avoid Chicago and Brooklyn.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder...I've been tough on OKC all year, and I still think they can be outcoached, but KD is having the kind of season where he is probably good enough to carry the whole team on his back. Watch out for Russell Westbrook injuries/implosions though.
4. Indiana Pacers...Everyone's been on Indy's case of late, but this team is built for playoff basketball, and they still seem to play their best against the league's other best teams (see Miami and Oklahoma City). They also have home court advantage through the Conference Finals and play especially tough at home, so it's hard not to envision they at least make it that far.
5. Los Angeles Clippers...Probably the dark horse title contender right now, but if Blake Griffin gets dinged up again or regresses back to non-shooting Blake Griffin from last year's playoffs, they've got no shot.
6. Houston Rockets...I don't trust a Harden-Howard led team as far as I can throw them, but they do seem to match-up well with the Spurs at least, so I think they have to be taken seriously based on that aspect alone.
7. Memphis Grizzlies...How can the number 7 seed in the West be the number 7 team in the playoff power rankings? Well, have you seen their record since their oh-so-slow start when Marc Gasol was out of the lineup? Who would you rather have here? Toronto? Portland? Chicago? Get out of here!
8. Brooklyn Nets...Basically, my version of Memphis for the Eastern Conference. They have 1 of the best records in the league since the New Year though, and they have been Miami's kryptonite as well.
9. Portland Trailblazers...Love their starting 5. Love their home crowd. But I just don't think they have enough this year.
10. Golden State Warriors...Losing Bogut really hurts against the Clips, as he plays Griffin well. I expect an entertaining 1st Round series, but that should be as far as they go.
11. Toronto Raptors...The most overlooked, dismissed, disrespected 3-seed maybe in NBA history, and yet I kind of share the public's opinion with the Raps. Sorry, Canada.
12. Chicago Bulls...I so wanted to have them higher. They might be the most fun to watch bad offensive team ever, if there is such a thing, and they are going to give Indy a war in Round 2, but ultimately I think that lack of offense is their downfall. Start the Melo rumors now.
13. Dallas Mavericks...Dirk might average 35 a game against the Spurs in Round 1, but I just don't think he has enough help. Let's hope they can retool around him next season, as it would be a shame if this was Dirk's real last hoorah.
14. Washington Wizards...My Wizards are a nice story, but it's mindboggling to me that they are a 5-seed. I love you guys, but, seriously, what the f*** is wrong with the East?
15. Charlotte Bobcats...It will be fun to see Big Al jumphook Miami to death, but their Round 1 series should be over in 5.
16. Atlanta Hawks...I know they smashed the Pacers in Indy a few weeks ago, but Phoenix Suns' fans are collectively shaking their heads at the thought of them.
1. San Antonio Spurs...They were a shot away from winning it all last year. They've been the best team all season long this year. They had 30 road wins this year. There's not a team in this postseason that scares them...number 1 with a bullet if you ask me.
On a mission...
2. Miami Heat...This team is not as good as a season ago. LeBron's still LeBron. But how bad are Wade's knees? Who can be this year's Mike Miller? Are Shane Battier, Ray Allen, and Udonis Haslem basically done as relevant players? Can Odom and Beasily give them anything? At least the seeds fell in a way that they could potentially avoid Chicago and Brooklyn.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder...I've been tough on OKC all year, and I still think they can be outcoached, but KD is having the kind of season where he is probably good enough to carry the whole team on his back. Watch out for Russell Westbrook injuries/implosions though.
4. Indiana Pacers...Everyone's been on Indy's case of late, but this team is built for playoff basketball, and they still seem to play their best against the league's other best teams (see Miami and Oklahoma City). They also have home court advantage through the Conference Finals and play especially tough at home, so it's hard not to envision they at least make it that far.
5. Los Angeles Clippers...Probably the dark horse title contender right now, but if Blake Griffin gets dinged up again or regresses back to non-shooting Blake Griffin from last year's playoffs, they've got no shot.
6. Houston Rockets...I don't trust a Harden-Howard led team as far as I can throw them, but they do seem to match-up well with the Spurs at least, so I think they have to be taken seriously based on that aspect alone.
7. Memphis Grizzlies...How can the number 7 seed in the West be the number 7 team in the playoff power rankings? Well, have you seen their record since their oh-so-slow start when Marc Gasol was out of the lineup? Who would you rather have here? Toronto? Portland? Chicago? Get out of here!
8. Brooklyn Nets...Basically, my version of Memphis for the Eastern Conference. They have 1 of the best records in the league since the New Year though, and they have been Miami's kryptonite as well.
...but will they make it that far?
9. Portland Trailblazers...Love their starting 5. Love their home crowd. But I just don't think they have enough this year.
10. Golden State Warriors...Losing Bogut really hurts against the Clips, as he plays Griffin well. I expect an entertaining 1st Round series, but that should be as far as they go.
11. Toronto Raptors...The most overlooked, dismissed, disrespected 3-seed maybe in NBA history, and yet I kind of share the public's opinion with the Raps. Sorry, Canada.
12. Chicago Bulls...I so wanted to have them higher. They might be the most fun to watch bad offensive team ever, if there is such a thing, and they are going to give Indy a war in Round 2, but ultimately I think that lack of offense is their downfall. Start the Melo rumors now.
13. Dallas Mavericks...Dirk might average 35 a game against the Spurs in Round 1, but I just don't think he has enough help. Let's hope they can retool around him next season, as it would be a shame if this was Dirk's real last hoorah.
14. Washington Wizards...My Wizards are a nice story, but it's mindboggling to me that they are a 5-seed. I love you guys, but, seriously, what the f*** is wrong with the East?
15. Charlotte Bobcats...It will be fun to see Big Al jumphook Miami to death, but their Round 1 series should be over in 5.
16. Atlanta Hawks...I know they smashed the Pacers in Indy a few weeks ago, but Phoenix Suns' fans are collectively shaking their heads at the thought of them.
Damn, son.
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