NBA Superstars Going Overseas

Speaking of the NBA, it's October and players should be warming up for the coming season. But the lockout hasn't been lifted yet and I'm not even sure if there will be a new season [sigh]. So, where do we go now fellow NBA fans?

Overseas? I suppose, yea.

According to Dime reports, there will be an elite number of NBA superstars who will be playing overseas. The basketball superstars include, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Chris Paul.

Source/s:
http://dimemag.com/2011/10/dime-exclusive-breaking-news-nba-superstars-headed-overseas/

2011 NBA All-Stars Roster

It's the mid-season, which only means that the ALL-STARS is near! Here's the roster of the five starters of the East and the West conferences:

2011 Eastern Conference All-Stars

LeBron James [Miami Heat]

Amar'e Stoudemire [New York Knicks]

Dwayne Wade [Miami Heat]

Derrick Rose [Chicago Bulls]

Dwight Howard [Orlando Magic]

Head Coach: TBD

2011 Western Conference All-Stars

Kevin Durant [Oklahoma City Thunder]

Carmelo Anthony [Denver Nuggets]

Kobe Bryant [LA Lakers]

Chris Paul [New Orleans Hornets]

Yao Ming [Houston Rockets]

Gregg Popovich [Head Coach]

And oh, no questions asked, I'm going for the WEST!

My Technorati

2011 NBA All-Stars: 2 Heat, 2 Celtics on Pace to Earn All-Star starts

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Heat and Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo of the Celtics are on pace to be voted as starters for the NBA All-Star game.

Garnett and Rondo remained in second place at their positions behind the Heat duo in the third voting returns announced Thursday. Orlando center Dwight Howard is the other leader among Eastern Conference players and has the most votes of any player in the conference.

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant is the top overall vote-getter for the game in his home Staples Center on Feb. 20. The Hornets’ Chris Paul at the other guard and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony at forward are the other West leaders, while Houston’s Yao Ming has a sizable lead at center despite being out for the season with a foot injury.

Boosted by the huge online vote total he receives from fans in his native China, Yao was voted as a starter the first seven years of his career, from 2003-09. He was not on the ballot last season, when he was out for the year with an injury.

If an injured player is voted to start, Commissioner David Stern chooses an injury replacement for the roster and the conference’s coach tabs a reserve to start.

Starters will be announced Jan. 27.

Source/s:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgXSdLfLjiXwj23_b8RfKyG8vLYF?slug=ap-all-starvoting

NBA 2010-11: Spurs Win over the Hornets, 109-85

The New Orleans Hornets is the last NBA team left unbeaten at home.

But not for long.

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Hornets 109-95 today, slashing Chris Paul's perfect home win to one loss. Manu Ginobili, with eight assists and 23 points drove the Spurs to their 14th win this season with huge help coming from Richard Jefferson's end with 3 three pointers.

Hornet's scoreboard: David West with 23 points, 7 rebounds; Chris Paul dishing out 15 points, 7 assists.

Rondo's Claims Against Paul

Currently, the New Orleans Hornets hangs by a thread with a 1-3 and is fourth at the Southwest division. It was plain to see that the Hornets should be getting worried even if it's just the start of the season. A lot can happen and if Hornets don't do something N-O-W, New Orleans would have to say bye-bye to the playoffs.

But that's not the case with Chris Paul, "I...want...to...win. Whatever it takes me to do, I’m going to find a way." It's the passion for the game that has got many to like CP3, which Rajon Rondo shares. Their difference is that Rondo has a ring while Paul still aims to have one.

Unsurprisingly, reports said that Rando told CP3 that, "I’ve got a ring, and you’re never gonna win one." Well, that was pretty much unprofessional for our young Celts. To think that he's got their so-called Big Three with him all this time while Paul carried on with what he's got.

Another huge difference that Paul has next to Rondo is humility. You got me all rooting for the Hornets even more with that kind of attitude. Can someone bring Rondo back to Earth? He's probably seeing himself so good. He is good but not as good as Paul is.

Paul was frustrated and worsened because of Rondo's claim. "I’m envious. I’m very envious. Those guys have been where I want to get to. This is my fifth year in the league, and I’m not trying to wait until I’m an old veteran in this league to win a championship. We’re trying to win now," says the Hornets point guard.

The Hornets will win as long as Paul stays and continues to believe that together with his David West, Tyson Chandler, and the rest of the Hornets.

As for Rondo, stay on the ground and watch that attitude before it pulls you down.

First Game Wrap Up

It's just the beginning of the NBA season and yet, here I am getting too excited about it. There's just a lot going on in the association - changes. Shaq's now with King James, unfortunately it was pretty much a slow start for the Cleveland Cavaliers. [not giving anymore side comments on Shaq] The San Antonio Spurs, however, had a good start against the Byron Scott's Hornets with a 113-96 win.

Tim Duncan clutched nine pts and 12 rebounds, Manu Ginobili with 16 pts, and Tony Parker summed up the game with 17 pts and six assists. Second-round draft DeJuan Blair clinched a double-double of 14 pts and 11 boards. Hornets' Chris Paul wrapped up the game with 26 pts and nine assists. The 2-digit difference of the Spurs with the recovered Hornets says a lot about the team's deeper roster.

That was a good start for the Spurs and I won't get too thrilled about it.

Well, it's definitely going to be a fun season.

Will Shaq help King James get the ring he sooo lost last season because of Superman?

Hornets, Back Again

Of all the teams that, I think, is going to be play better this season is the New Orleans Hornets. You see, they're not the newbies anymore. They know what and how it feels like to play during the postseason. And Byron Scott, Hornets' head coach, have surely made some improvements on his team particularly on David West.

The road in the West for the Hornets, however, was blocked by the San Antonio Spurs. The series of the Hornets against the veteran Spurs were among the must-see games in the West. Chris Paul & Co. were in the lead during the first two rounds of the series and the 4-time champions almost on the verge of elimination. Then, the veterans showed the stingy Hornets who they were playing against and tied the series to 2-2. But the Hornets hopes were high because the tie would mean that they would go back to the Big Easy, which houses the most unified crowd. The result was a 3-2 lead of the bees and a game 4 at the Alamo City. The Spurs turned it over for the Hornets and tied the series again. And then it was the deciding game, Game 7, the Spurs outplayed the Hornets and left the newbies in awe for what could have been a great season against the LA Lakers. It was the Lakers, though, who got rid of the Spurs during the Western Conference finals.

The Hornets team that has surprised everyone last season is all set for this season, bringing all the lessons [even memories] of the last season. Paul, West, & the rest of the Hornets' weapon? Well, it would definitely be their 3-pt efficiency and there's no doubt that their defense is pretty [I think, even better than the Lakers]. But there's still definitely more room for improvement specially in the West side of America.

It's going to be hard to thwart these bees from advancing to the top of the ever-thrilling Western Conference. It's going to be a blast in the West, I'm sure!..

Spurs in BIG Trouble

Try to imagine someone writing from a computer with keys almost popping out from the keyboard. That's definitely how I'm typing as I write this entry. I'm disappointed, sad, frustrated, and everything negative that a fan could feel whenever his/her favorite team loses. Good news to all Lakers fans though, Kobe and his squad just crushed the Spurs to a 93-91 win at the Alamodome, getting the lead to 3-1. Kobe Bryant finished the game with 28 points and 10 boards. Lamar Odom sits next to KB24 as the second best scorer of the game adding 16 points and nine rebounds. Pau Gasol, who came to the Lakers to seek for a championship, contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds. Good job for the Lakers.

The series was almost done for the Spurs as the last seconds winded down during the fourth quarter of Game 4. The Spurs have done their best and I know that they're feeling more frustrated and pressured more than ever. Imagine trying to win three straight games and two of those has to come from the Staples Center. Tim Duncan with 29 points also had 17 rebounds, while Tony Parker and Brent Barry added 23 points each. Barry's 3-point shot could've made the difference but the shot didn't came and the buzzer sounded and Game 4 was over for the Spurs. Manu Ginobili clearly wasn't himself with seven points and six assists. The Spurs are now down to 1-3 against the Lakers. The Spurs are on the verge of extinction, which slowly takes all the hope in me. I wonder how the Staples Center would look like in Game 5. What I do know right now is that the Spurs are in BIG trouble when they visit Hollywood.

Spurs Advances to the Western Conference Finals

I told myself yesterday thay before I write something about Game 7 of the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets series, I am going to watch it. And yes, I've watched the game and again it was an outstanding performance from the Spurs' 6th Man extraordinaire Manu Ginobili. Ginobili led the Spurs to a 91-82 win against the crowd favorites the Hornets. The Argentinean poured in 26 points for the win, along with the 17 points and 16 points from Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, respectively. Fab Oberto also played brilliantly with four points and nine critical rebounds. Everybody from the Spurs simply played their part, even the bench players played a vital part for the victorious Game 7 win. “I’m sure glad that’s over," said Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich.

For CP3 & Co. I definitely applaud them for being a good sport. The Spurs played better this time and they [Hornets] were simply not making shots especially on the third quarter. David West, as expected, was great with 20 points and nine rebounds. Chris Paul scored 18 points and provided his team with 14 assists and Tyson Chandler, who guarded Duncan the entire series, added 13 points and 15 rebounds. The Hornets really caused a lot of trouble for the Spurs, offensively and defensively. The few days of rest, I guess helped the Spurs recover and mull over about how to win against these Hornets in their home, where the Spurs lost with double-digit margins.

Popovich isn't the type of coach, who causes hype because he's is not very pleased with the way his players played. He talks little but with a lot of sense and humor that is why he is considered to be one of best coaches in the association today. He made good decisions in the past and is now reaping the end result. Take a look at Parker. When Parker joined the Spurs in 2001, he was this stubborn teenager with little idea on how to satisfy Pop. They've probably had arguments but that paidoff with Parker as one of the best point guards of today. What's nice about the relationship between these two is that Pop trusts Parker. During a timeout in the first quarter, instead of Pop holding the magic board for some coaching I saw TP holding it and instructing something to Duncan, who simply nodded and nodded. And when Pop went to their side, the game was about to start again. It was just amazing how Pop trusts his players. TP isn't the only one whom Pop trusts and is confident about. I'm talking about Ginobili. Just putting Manu as the 6th man and hearing nothing from him, made Pop to put a lot of trust to his Argentinean player. Of all the Spurs, Manu is the one who showed a lot patience. He just doesn't stop shooting and when he gets his rhythm the game is truly on for the Spurs. With the win against the Hornets, the Spurs are off to Hollywood to face KB24 and the rest of the LA Lakers. What I know is that this series is going to be a lot more exciting than the one with the Hornets and the Phoenix Suns. I wish to write more, but I still have work to do. So, I guess that's all for now. Have a great day!.. =)

Spurs Tie the Series to 3-3

Yes!! The San Antonio Spurs won 99-80 against New Orleans Hornets. The series is now tied to 3-3 and the Spurs go back to the New Orleans Arena. Game 7 will definitely be one-heck-of-a-game. The Spurs who dominated was Tim Duncan, with 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili scoring 25 points. Tony Parker was subtle with only 15 points. Ime Udoka and Kurt Thomas helped boost the Spurs' bench. Udoka with 13 points and Thomas with nine boards. The Spurs' 2nd-Half Syndrome was gone. In fact, they outscored the Hornets during the 2nd half. Bravo!.. On the Hornets side, David West came out of the game because of back problems, leaving him with only 10 points and 6 rebounds. Chris Paul had 21 points and eight assists. The second leading scorer for the Hornets was Tyson Chandler adding 14 points and followed by Peja Stojakovic with 13 points one of which was a 3-points.

Of course, the Spurs played better at home but they were just a game away from being eliminated by the Hornets. They can't afford to lose, not on Game 6 and definitely not on Game 7. The last game is a few days away, so, both teams can rest. The Spurs need to take advantage of this time off to close this series with them at the top. The Hornets are tough at home and this is the "real" Game 7 and the only way to the Western Conference Finals where the LA Lakers or probably the Utah Jazz will be waiting. [with fingers crossed] The Spurs will win this series.

Hornets A Game Away from the Western Conference Finals

Cheers to the Detroit Pistons in making it to the Eastern Conference Finals! Whoever faces them, the Boston Celtics or the Cleveland Cavaliers, I know they'll put up a good fight. What worries me right now is the 3-2 status of the New Orleans Hornets, who just won 101-79 against the San Antonio Spurs. The Hornets is just a game away from the Western Conference Finals and I definitely don't want them to win this series. I respect the Hornets [a lot] and coach Byron Scott, but it's the Spurs who I want to continue on. During the first half of Game 5, the Spurs were looking good with a 4-point lead. But as soon as the second started and the Hornets began to shoot effectively, they [Spurs] were slowly dismantled. Their 2nd Half Syndrome only shows when they're playing in New Orleans Arena. Manu Ginobili was the Spurs' top scorer with 20 points and seven assists. Tony Parker added 10 points while Tim Duncan contributed 10 points and 23 boards. “Hopefully, I can make an adjustment and do better in the next game,” said Spurs forward, Duncan. Game 5 seemed like the repeat of the first two games, which were all awful games from the Spurs. “Now we are in a really tough situation,” said Ginobili.

At the first half, Chris Paul wasn't still on his rhythm and the only Hornet in double figures is David West. Both of them turned over the game during the 2nd half leaving the Spurs with just 11 points during the 3rd quarter. The Spurs, I guess, got lost along the way like they did during the first two games. I'm really really hoping that the Spurs win Game 6 and win this series. I know, there'll be articles about the Hornets showing the Spurs how old they were. That's alright with me, the losing team always gets the worst criticism anyway. So, whatever happens on Game 6, I'll take it as it is.

The Big Easy Won't be Easy

During Games 3 & 4, the San Antonio Spurs showed the New Orleans Hornets what made them the defending NBA Champions - defense. From a 0-2 deficit, the Spurs bounces backs and ties with the Hornets to 2-2. “We are in a different situation now, but we have to try to do it the same way,” said Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili. As the series shifts back to the Big Easy, winning for the Spurs won't come easy. The Spurs' effective approach to the Hornets' stiff defense and surging offense is to play stiffer defense and not stopping Chris Paul. Yes, you heard me right [I actually heard this from one of the commentators] the Spurs aren't stopping CP3. Instead, they'll be stopping everybody else. Surely, CP3 can't win the game by himself. Very clever move from Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich. The question now is, will the Spurs hear each other out for this approach with the L-O-U-D crowd that is sure to fill the New Orleans Arena today? We'll see!..

Check out this article from Mr. John Hollinger, which is all about history that kinda irritates me. "OK, you might think, but if the Spurs take Game 5 tonight, then it's definitely over, right? Wrong. [sigh] So, what really makes the Spurs Go Round??

And Then It's 2-1

Nerve-wracking, Game 3 was. Whew! I took quick peeks at the scoreboard and I never stayed for more than a minute on the scoreboard window. I was just so curious that I don't want the game to distract me from my work, which I experienced during Game 2. "It stunk," said Bruce Bowen. [the moment i woke up, i was already feeling down - maybe that was a bad sign - sigh] Game 3 was different though, I think there was more pressure for the San Antonio Spurs because they're back home. I'm just very happy that they won 110-99 against the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets still leads the series 2-1 but when I think about it, it's better than 3-0. Almost everyone from the Spurs' stood up for their team. First of, the Big Three played really well. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker had 31 points apiece. And yes, Manu was back as a starter. Tim Duncan added 16 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Bowen played pretty good as well with 12 points and was successful about Peja Stojakovic, who only had eight points. And although Kurt Thomas only had four points, no one can belittle his 10 rebounds. Off to the bench was Fabricio Oberto with two points and nine rebounds. Michael Finley also had his share with 11 points. Brent Barry, Ime Udoka, Robert Horry with 3 points, and Jacque Vaughn weren't given enough time to prove themselves. But I know they'd really love to help the team win. The Spurs have three days off to rest and practice for Game 4. I hope they continue winning.

On the Hornets' lineup, only three players were in double figures, namely: Chris Paul with 35 points and nine assists; David West adding 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks; and Tyson Chandler finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds. I respect the Hornets and their coach. They have class just like the Spurs and losing Game 3, I know they'll bounce and bring their A-game on Game 4. “You can slice it any way you want. But they’re not a team you’re going to stop,” said Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich. And yes, the Spurs still don't have the key to stopping CP3.

So, what was the mindset of the Spurs on Game 3? “Today, for us, it was a Game 7," said Spurs G Manu Ginobili. Manu, back as a starter, is a great idea from coach Pop. Of course TP often gets the credit because he's the Spurs pg. And Tim gets most of the critiques - good and bad, because his the captain and the team revolves around him. But Manu, he makes the difference in every game the Spurs' play. He's just so good at what he does and it's his first All-NBA team along with Tim.

An Upsetting 0-2 Deficit for the Spurs

When the Phoenix Suns-San Antonio Spurs round began, I was half-expecting and half-hoping that the Spurs will win. When the Spurs won Game 2, I was crossing my fingers and saying to myself to just give the Tim Duncan & Co. a win in Arizona. And they won, so, I was very confident that they'll eventually win the series. During the clash between the Suns and the Spurs, I was also checking other round 1 matchups and was particularly looking out for the Dallas Mavericks-New Orleans matchup. My mind was already set that the Hornets will face the Spurs. As far as I know, the CP3-powered Hornets are better than the Suns this season.

I'm not expecting the Spurs to win this series easily because obviously the Hornets are giving them a hard time but I'm very hopeful about them winning this series. =) The Hornets now leads the series to 2-0. That was expected since they have homecourt advantage. But I think there is something or maybe someone in the Hornets lineup that gives me goosebumps everytime I check the live scoreboards. The Spurs weren't looking as sharp as they should've been on the past two games on both ends. CP3 & his allies were just better, faster, younger, and all the positive -er I could ever think of. "We're definitely a little shocked. They are playing extremely well. If one person's not going, someone else is stepping up," said Spurs Kurt Thomas. The hope that the Spurs will come out of 0-2 deficit now depends on their performance at the AlamoDome.

The Spurs have set the bar so high that different NBA teams have drastically changed their lineup just to better matchup against the defending champions. And as I see it now, no other team has matched up really well against the Spurs than the Hornets. I dreaded their 3-point prowess but now they are so good defensively. The Spurs, on the other hand, are struggling on both ends. The Hornets must've really messed up with their rotation and their defensive strategy. The Spur that is obviously suffering from the Hornets' sting is Duncan. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker aren't their usual selves, too. I think Mr. Mike Finger is right again, some has to step up against this stingy Hornets. Coach Pop and the rest of the Spurs still have a few days to prepare a gameplan before the Hornets pay a visit at the AT&T Center on Thursday. “We’re fine,” said coach Pop regarding Duncan's fever and Ginobili's injury.

Off to the Western Conference Semis

The Spurs have won because Tony Parker is fast, and because Manu Ginobili is a magician, and because Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward in the history of the NBA. --Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio Spurs has always been focused on defense. Thanks to the genius named Gregg Popovich. Few teams in the NBA followed the defensive principles of Pop to the Spurs. I am not a basketball guru but I can name a few of them, like the Detroit Pistons. Coming back to the topic. During a Spurs game, you will seldom experience flashy dunks and other flashy type of performance that will surely make it to the Top Play of the Week. Yeah, Spurs aren't flashy because their style of play is different from that of the Suns.

The Suns during the previous seasons are less focused on defense and are focused on playing better on the offensive end. But Steve Kerr, the Suns president and a former Spur, knew for certain that being good offensively can't carry a team to a championship. And so, the Suns gave up Shawn Marion and acquired Shaquille O'neal from the Miami Heat. Because of O'neal's bulky size, Kerr thought he would help heighten the presence of the Suns from the inside. However, the midseason acquisition backfired and resulted to the Suns' fourth elimination from the playoffs. And the culprit? Yes, the Spurs. "Every time we needed to close something out — a half or a game — they got the best of us," said Mike D'Antoni.

The Suns-Spurs series has been one of the most anticipated matchups this playoffs. One of the reasons is that both teams happened to have faced each other during last season's Western Conference semis. There were suspensions and calling of nonsensical names to other players that were done. And the Suns haven't forgotten any of those, which were [i think] made as excuses. But now, what excuse would the Suns make after the Spurs gave them their early vacation? Turnovers? Flopping? Well, whatever it is that made the Suns lose Game 5 to the Spurs, they're still one of the best NBA teams today and Steve Nash is one of the best point guards ever to play basketball. In the the series, the Spurs were simply better, maybe not in numbers but in staying calm in the face of adversity and on the intangible aspects of basketball.

After the Suns, the Spurs will head out Saturday in New Orleans and face Chris Paul & Co. The Hornets are younger than Suns, meaning more trouble for the Spurs. The big difference of the Hornets to the Suns is defense that is why they pose a bigger threat to the Spurs. Plus, they've got homecourt advantage and my goodness New Orleans is a lot louder than the Suns. More shouting, more boos... But despite all these, the Spurs will survive. =)

Hornets Stung the Spurs

When will the San Antonio Spurs win against the New Orleans Hornets?

Soon I guess because just now the Hornets stung the Spurs with a 100-75 win. That hurts! What's more painful is despite the 42.9 field-goal percentage of the Spurs, they couldn't contain the outburst of the 58.7 field-goal of the Hornets. Hornets' All-Star Chris Paul poured in 26 points, 16 assists, and 3 steals. David West, coming back from an injury, added 29 points and 10 boards. As for the Spurs, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker had 24 points apiece. Manu Ginobili had 11 points and 4 assists. The Spurs need time to rest after playing against winning teams because they'll be playing against more winning teams such as the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics. "Somebody made a mistake to do that," said ex-Spur-now-Hornets Melvin Ely. Whether the confetti was a mistake or not, they certainly enjoyed it because they defeated the Spurs once again. =p