Sob City

Chris Paul (#3) is going to be out for 3-5 weeks

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  Misfortune has been in LA this season with the Lakers, but no one expected the other team. MVP Candidate and leader of the Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul is expected to be out for 3-5 weeks. These next weeks include key games, match ups against the Spurs, Pacers, Warriors, Heat, and the Trailblazers. This is definitely a key loss for the Clippers.

Chris Paul, who is basically the cohesive agent in LA has averaged a stunning 19.6 points, 11.6 assists (current assist leader) and 4.6 rebounds. Without Paul the Clippers will need to fill that 40 point void caused by him. We'll have to see a great increase in maturity and leadership in Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and the sixth man that is mostly likely to be starting Jamal Crawford. 

But is all hope lost? I think people forgot about shooting guard JJ Redick (avg. 15.8 ppg, 2 apg). His return was expected in early February but was changed to January 15th. That is not far away, and Redick's threes could really make an impact. He will most likely also have to play point guard at some point, and that could present an issue. 

It looks like that Doc Rivers and his crew will have to make the biggest push of the season in order to maintain their 4th seed.

Can the Clippers keep their position or will they fall? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

First Round Problems

Andrew Bynum (#21) and Anthony Bennett (#15)

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  Whats up with these Eastern Conference teams? So much talent, yet so little cohesion. This was supposed to be the year where the East finally beats the West. It looks like the complete opposite.

  The Cleveland Cavaliers had 3 first picks in the NBA draft in the last 10 years, and they've been selecting some top players. LeBron James in 2003 and Kyrie Irving in 2011, both who have been All Stars. But something is not quite working for the new kid, Anthony Bennett. Bennett has not only put up laughable numbers (avg. 2.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.3 assists), he's not even in consideration for Rookie of the Year. I'm not hating or anything but Kwame Brown in his rookie year had avg. 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, all higher stats than Bennett.

  But the main problem in the Forest City is not the young rook. Instead it is the disputes of newly acquired center Andrew Bynum. Bynum has been suspended for five games for 'detrimental conduct'. Rumors have been galore of Bynum being traded to different cities, most likely the Lakers, for big man Pau Gasol. However, Gasol has made it clear he does not want to leave LA. Bynum, the current starting center for the Cavs, hasn't been having a huge impact on the team, with only 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds average per game. Thats not much for a starting center.

But fear not citizens of Ohio, Uncle Drew and his crew, including Dion Waiters and Anderson Varejao have still been keeping up the Cavs, not to playoff contention though. 

What are your predictions? Do you think Bynum will leave, Bennet will change, or the Cavs make the playoffs? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Started from the Bottom

Rapper Drake accepts to sponsor the All Star Game in Toronto 2016

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   All Star 2016, amazing team chemistry, and support from rapper Drake. What more could Toronto want? The Toronto Raptors' season is looking swell. With current record of 15-15 (.500) and 4th seed in the East, only behind Indiana, Miami and Atlanta, pretty good for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2008, and haven't won a playoff series since 2001. Things are taking a turn for the city up north.

   Many thought the trade of Rudy Gay on Dec. 9 was a huge mistake, and would negatively affect the team. The trade included sending Kings players John Salmons, Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes to Toronto, for Gay, Aaron Gray and Quincy Acy. Vasquez, the former starting point guard of the Kings is now replaced by improving Isaiah Thomas. Though it looked like a mess, Masai Ujiri, the current GM of the Raptors, knew what he was doing.

   Since the trade, the Raptors have 8-3, a huge change. Before Gay left  they were 7-12. Talk about a turn around. If they can keep this up, Toronto can easily be another powerhouse in the weak Eastern Conference. Now led by DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors actually have quite a squad. Slam Dunk Champion Terrence Ross, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Kyle Lowry, just to name a few.

Looks like things are looking good for the new Toronto Raptors, ever since the loss of stars Vince Carter in 2004 and then Chris Bosh in 2010. Hey, they even might get a new logo/colors. I personally wouldn't prefer it, but I guess it goes along with the 'new era things'.

What are your thoughts on the Raptors? Leave it in the comments below.

New Year, New Predictions

Michael Carter-Williams (1) drives against the Denver Nuggets

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With 2014 finally here, many teams will try to change their overall course to strive for a championship (or a draft pick). Here are my predictions for the rest of the NBA season.

1). New Orleans will make the playoffs

    It may sound crazy, but it will probably happen. With already too many injuries, the Pelicans will finally get the 7th or 8th seed and make the playoffs in the debut season of their new name. The sophomore Anthony Davis has been performing like an All Star, averaging a double double of 19.2 points and 10.3 rebounds. He is also the leader of blocks in the NBA, with average 3.22 bpg. With all the injuries finally healed, I think its time for the Pelicans to take flight.

2). New York and Brooklyn do not improve

   Things are not looking good for the state of New York. The Knicks and Nets have defied all hopes of a championship in New York, and the Nets' hype of the 'All Star Starting Lineup' hasn't fulfilled up to its hopes. The Nets, who are 10-21, have only 2 players scoring over 15 points per game. Correction, had. Brook Lopez, who is now out with an injury was the leading scorer with 20.9 points per game. Joe Johnson, the other player averaging above 15 ppg, is still a solid player with 15.5 ppg, but cannot support the downfall of all the other players. 

3). Melo leaves NY

  With frustration embedded in each of the Knicks minds, Carmelo Anthony is probably going to leave, most likely to someplace like Chicago or maybe even Cleveland. Right now, Melo isn't even concerned about the team, and just focusing on the scoring title. Known for his high temper and low patience, i'm afraid Anthony is going to leave the team sometime in the near future.

4). The MVP goes to...

  Lebron James has had a very impactful season, with a plethora of points (avg 25.5), assists (6.6) and rebounds (6.9). Pretty good for a 4 time MVP and 2 time finals MVP. However, he won't take the MVP this year. Its going to KD. Kevin Durant, often overlooked is making quite a tantrum this year for MVP, and he has numbers to prove it. Currently the scoring leader in the NBA, he will need to put up more points, assists and rebounds with the loss of teammate Russel Westbrook. And thats something Durant can handle.

5). MCW takes the prize

  Bill Simmons ranked the 76ers as the worst team in the league this season. One rookie wanted to prove him wrong. Ok the 76ers are not that good but still, but Michael Carter-Williams is certainly performing. With only 1 game this season below the average NBA points per game, MCW is averaging 17.8 points per game, along with a side of 7.5 assists. Not bad for a rookie. Still, the Utah rookie Trey Burke, tags close behind.

6). Three-peat

  Yup, I said it. Lebron James and his crew are headed for another banner up in the rafters. Yes, there is Portland, Indiana, San Antonio and even the Durant led OKC, but even they have little playoff experience. You may think, what about San Antonio, they may get far, but just like last years finals, when it is clutch time, they cannot finish. Sorry guys, you'll have to wait until 2015.

There are my predictions. Do you agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Blazing the Trail

Damian Lillard (#0) drives to the basket

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The once quiet Trailblazers are finally making a name for themselves in the tough Western Conference.  With new stars Damian Lillard and Lamarcus Aldridge, Portland has easily flew to the top seeds. Portland, the most accurate team from downtown, made some huge changes in the off season, changes that no one noticed or cared about. However, the four player change that happened has certainly seemed to help this team quite a bit. Currently, they are the most highest scoring team in the NBA. Just take a look at their shot chart! (That right corner though...)

But what does this mean for the playoffs, and can they carry on their amazing performance ability all the way through? Right now tied with San Antonio for the second seed in the Western Conference, they have slowly been moving down, giving their first seed position to the Kevin Durant led OKC. My prediction, they will make the playoffs at LEAST 4th seed. Yup, thats right. I do believe they can finish with a good record, but I predict that they will only make it as far as the Western Conference Semifinals in the playoffs. I do like their lineup and all, but Portland has had very little playoff experience, and they don't know how hard it is to compete for a championship.

On the bright side, they have Damian Lillard. He is going to be one of the top point guards in the league in a few years, maybe sooner than I expected. The path is only uphill for him, and even if they can't get to the finals, he will still continue to improve as a player.

What are your thoughts on the Portland Trailblazers? Leave a comment below!

Gone with the Wind

Joakim Noah (#13) tries to get a rebound against Jonas Valanciunas (#17)

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Ever since the loss of star player Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls have been going in a downhill spiral. The Bulls have been 5-10 in their last 15 games, a horrendous record no one expected. With the loss of last years point guard Nate Robinson and foreword Marco Belinelli, the Bulls' roster has been quite dry. Just recently they retracted on their plan to trade Luol Deng, who has been averaging 19.4 points this season. Thats quite a number, especially right now. Center Joakim Noah hasnt been putting up numbers like he used to in the past, but is still averaging 10.4 points and 10 rebounds, but thats still not enough, especially for an All Star.

But there still might be some hope for the Windy City. Carlos Boozer has recently been playing extremely aggresive and putting up some points as well. Averaging 14.6 points this season, it may not seem like much, but the Bulls can use anything they can get. Boozer, who was thought about being traded, signed a 5 year $75 million contract, is going to be playing for Chicago until 2015. 

Though Boozer cannot save the team on his own, he is certainly a key asset to the struggling team.

 The Bulls have limited options to get out of their current 9th seed position: 1. Wait until the return of Derrick Rose, or 2. Trade players away and reboot the team. Derrick Rose has confirmed that the is not going to be playing this season, and who knows whether he'll be as effective when he comes back. Only time will tell for the Bulls.

The Mamba's Final Strike...?

Kobe Bryant watches the Lakers play the Heat on Christmas Day 2013

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Its been a busy year for NBA Future Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant. Just as things were starting to look positive with Kobe's return on Dec. 9, 2013, a few games later, he seemed to have another injury, this time a fractured knee. The tenacity of the once youngest player in the NBA hasn't seemed to give up yet, but will this injury end the legacy of the Laker's superstar?

Lets reminder ourselves of the once embezzled superstars Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway, both of which were excellent players, but cut short their careers and ability to play significantly. Kobe, expecting to play another two years with his $48.5 million dollar contract just recently with the Lakers, has shown great interest with his social media, and interviews about returning to his honored position. Referring to it as the "Last Chapter", Kobe will hope to create the final push in his legacy, but will this injury cut the book short?