Sunday, March 27, 2005
SURPRISED?
What happened to the Minnesota Timberwolves?
It's amazing how a team with so much talent has completely fallen apart. Just think about it....
Last year this team won 50 + games and were two wins away from the NBA finals. Now they are barely over .500 and will most likely miss the playoffs with an identical roster.
First the team stopped listening to their coach. Flip Saunders lost his touch after nearly 10 years as head coach. They also failed to add young players. They were assuming that Sprewell and Cassell would have good seasons again. You know what happens when you assume. Cassell has been injured most of the season and is clearly on the downside of his career. Sprewell reverted back to his old ways. Frustrated by not being offered a new contract, Sprewell pouted and said he couldn't afford to feed his family. So he plays when he feels like it. So last year's MVP, Kevin Garnett is basically alone once again. Only Wally Szczerbiak has helped Garnett consistently.
But the biggest difference is that this team has stopped playing defense. Teams score at will against them and don't respect them anymore. This is why they will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin. What a shame. All that talent wasted.
It's amazing how a team with so much talent has completely fallen apart. Just think about it....
Last year this team won 50 + games and were two wins away from the NBA finals. Now they are barely over .500 and will most likely miss the playoffs with an identical roster.
First the team stopped listening to their coach. Flip Saunders lost his touch after nearly 10 years as head coach. They also failed to add young players. They were assuming that Sprewell and Cassell would have good seasons again. You know what happens when you assume. Cassell has been injured most of the season and is clearly on the downside of his career. Sprewell reverted back to his old ways. Frustrated by not being offered a new contract, Sprewell pouted and said he couldn't afford to feed his family. So he plays when he feels like it. So last year's MVP, Kevin Garnett is basically alone once again. Only Wally Szczerbiak has helped Garnett consistently.
But the biggest difference is that this team has stopped playing defense. Teams score at will against them and don't respect them anymore. This is why they will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin. What a shame. All that talent wasted.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
NBA RANT
With the playoffs approaching fast let's look at the current matchups in the west:
Suns and Nuggets:
Could be a scary matchup for Phoenix as Denver has been on a tear as of late. George Karl has his team playing hard. Carmelo Anthony, after a slow start, has been playing very well and is finally leading his team. Earl Boykins has really stepped it up in the 2nd half of the season giving Andre Miller lots of help.
MVP candidate Steve Nash has slown down a little after injuries but still has his team running on all cylinders. Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire have had monster seasons.
Suns should win this series but every game will be hard fought. Suns win.
Spurs and Grizzlies:
Tim Duncan better be healthy for the playoffs or the Spurs might lose this series. Parker needs to be more consistent because as he goes so do the Spurs. Ginobli is having a break out year. This team is the best in the NBA but it needs a healthy Duncan to go all the way.
As far as Memphis goes, Mike Fratello should be coach of the year. This team had a terrible start but since Fratello took over they have been on a roll. He has totally turned this team around with Jason Williams, James Posey, Shane Battier, and the recently returned Pau Gasol.
This will be a tough series for the Spurs. It's actually a rematch from last year's playoffs. Both teams play hard physical ball so it should be a great series. Spurs still win.
I'll be back with the other two series soon. Then it's on to the East.
Suns and Nuggets:
Could be a scary matchup for Phoenix as Denver has been on a tear as of late. George Karl has his team playing hard. Carmelo Anthony, after a slow start, has been playing very well and is finally leading his team. Earl Boykins has really stepped it up in the 2nd half of the season giving Andre Miller lots of help.
MVP candidate Steve Nash has slown down a little after injuries but still has his team running on all cylinders. Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire have had monster seasons.
Suns should win this series but every game will be hard fought. Suns win.
Spurs and Grizzlies:
Tim Duncan better be healthy for the playoffs or the Spurs might lose this series. Parker needs to be more consistent because as he goes so do the Spurs. Ginobli is having a break out year. This team is the best in the NBA but it needs a healthy Duncan to go all the way.
As far as Memphis goes, Mike Fratello should be coach of the year. This team had a terrible start but since Fratello took over they have been on a roll. He has totally turned this team around with Jason Williams, James Posey, Shane Battier, and the recently returned Pau Gasol.
This will be a tough series for the Spurs. It's actually a rematch from last year's playoffs. Both teams play hard physical ball so it should be a great series. Spurs still win.
I'll be back with the other two series soon. Then it's on to the East.
