Blake Griffin is Karl Malone in Training

The 2010-2011 NBA season almost has a month under it's belt so I just wanted to take the time to reflect on what we've learned so far:

• As usual the Clippers are in mid-season form preparing for the 2011 Lottery but Blake Griffin is proving why he was chosen the top pick in 2009. This monster power forward has power, and is a great ball handler at his position. Griffin has the making to be the greatest power forward of all-time if he can remain healthy. Eric Gordon is also a promising limelight for the Clippers as several defender has taken fiscail slams from teh former Hoosier guard. Gordon is a power point guard who has improved since the FIBA Games. 

• Several more losses form teh Miami Heat and we can expect Pat Riley to become the next head coach of the new Big 3. I've always stated that there is no way Pat Riley puts this team together and not have the desire to coach them. If the Heat do not win this season, then Riley will coach this team next year. 

• Don't count out the San Antionio Spurs yet!!!!!!! Forget Tony Parker's off court issue this veteran team has at least one more title run in them. They're off to the best record in teh League at 10-1 and with a year under Pop's system, Richard Jefferson has found has game again. 

• Shannon Brown has a jump shot!!!!!! Working on his shooting was the best thing for the former Proviso East star. Brown's game is already explosive and his leaping ability is second to none. With his hops to go along with his new jump shot the only thing missing is better ball handling. 

• John Wall & JaVelle McGee are nice together...these two are the cornerstone of the Wizards future.

• Roy Hibbert is proven that he is an NBA player. He's currently leading the league in block shots. 

Opening Night - Ring Night - Big 3 Battle

Huge night for TNT tonight as they prepare for a double header. The first game of the year has my favorite to win the Eastern Conference the Boston Celtics which features The O'Neals (Jermaine & Shaq), and elite point guard (Rondo), and the old big 3 (KG, Pierce, Allen). They will face the new big 3 (LBJ, DWade, Bosh) and the rest of the Miami Heat. The Heat will be without 3-point specialist Mike Miller until January as he injured his shooting hand in practice guarding LeBron. Plenty of scoring from Miami's Big 3 but they're bench is not a strong supporting cast. Meanwhile Boston lost Tony Allen but gained the O'Neals and have Nate Robinson, Big Baby, Delonte West as their supporting cast which should be more than enough to secure the victory tonight. Rondo should get a tripple double and one of the Celtics Big 3 will have a big game. Celtics by 10 tonight.

On the west coast, NBA Commissioner David Stern presents Kobe Bryant with ring #5 then shortly after Kobe & Co. should blowout Yao Ming & the Houston Rockets. Kevin Martin will have a hard time scoring with Ron Artest guarding him meaning Aaron Brooks will have to elevate his scoring by running circles over Derrick Fisher, Steve Blake, and Shannon Brown.

Both games should be interesting but tomorrow my Chicago Bulls will face the Oklahoma City Thunder. Good point guard match up Rose vs. Westbrook.

 

NBA Finals - Celtics & Lakers

The NBA Finals finally begin tomorrow at the Staple Center between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics which is a rematch from the 2008 NBA Finals. This is the third straight Finals appearance for the Lake Show and the second out of three years for Boston. This also marks the finals between the last two NBA Champions.

Phil Jackson's squad knows that in order to compete, Kobe Bryant needs another teammate to also score otherwise this series will be similar to the 2008 one. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom are capable of scoring 20 or more and occasionally Ron Artest but he's primarily here for defense. Doc Rivers's crew know that Rondo is now the engine of the Big 3 and everything starts and ends with him. Once again Laker point guards have their hands full with another speedy point guard.

Who should make an impact to this series:

• Rondo - Garnett, Pierce, Allen can have an average game but if Rondo doesn't step up, the Celtics become runner-ups.
• Pau Gasol - He must prove that he's not scared of Boston's bigs...primarily Kevin Garnett
• Ron Artest - Any extra scoring is helpful
• Andrew Bynum - Minimum 10 points 10 rebounds is expected
• Shannon Brown - The only other Laker guard that is not afraid to attack the basket

My prediction: Lakers in seven

All-Star Recap - Trading Deadline

What did I learn about this weekend...this has been one of the worse all-star weekends in recent history. For starter no Bryant, CP3, or Brandon Roy. The dunk off was a complete joke...A slasher wins the 3-point contest. The most disappointing event in Dallas was the dunk contest. Shannon Brown had better dunks in Proviso East than he did in Dallas. The best dunk of the contest was the Demar dunk of the side of the backboard for a windmill. Nate Robinson did what I expected him to do. Nothing creative but he got the job done to secure his title. Derrick Rose did not defend his skills title but did play in the ASG. The 2003 class dominated the ASG and they all should have walked away with the MVPs.

With the second half beginning tonight, Marcus Camby is now a Blazer. This is huge because Portland now has a legit center on their roster until Greg Oden returns next season. It wouldn't surprise me if Portland jumped all the way to the 5th seed. Will "Da Thrill" Bynum had a career high 14 assist against Minnesota tonight. Glad to see Will is finally playing the point the right way.

In college John Wall and Kentucky got a scare against Mississippi State and were down by 7 with 3 minuets left to go. But like true Final 4 contenders, the Wildcats pulled through with the overtime victory. Tom Izzo & Tom Cream had a mini reunion but once the game begin, Michigan State were the ones that left the court smiling. Indiana Hoosiers will be bad for a least two more seasons. Thanks Sampson.

Finally pray that coach George Karl has a speedy recovery and good luck Bulls tomorrow night in MSG.