At the same time as the NFL playoffs are about to begin (for some, they have already started) the NBA season has tipped off. What a weekend indeed. The Lions are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. That is a big deal in itself. After stumbling earlier in the season, the Lions pulled together and clinched a playoff spot when they easily beat the Chargers 38-10. They are a very dangerous team entering the playoffs. I'm not saying that the Lions will beat the Packers in week 17 or in the playoffs, if they get that far. I am saying don't sleep on the Lions. They can score with anyone and have a very talented defense. I won't be surprised if the Lions beat the Packers. Green Bay isn't the juggernaut that some have said they are. They can be beaten as we saw when the Chiefs beat them and ended the undefeated season. If the Lions can establish a consistent running game, then lookout because Stafford will be able to sit in the pocket and pick Green Bay apart. Yeah, I Said It!!
I am trying not to be unbiased about the AFC west. The Raiders seem to have a slight edge considering they host the Chargers while the Broncos host the Chiefs. The Chiefs are playing for interim coach Romeo Crennel and are slowly getting healthy. The Broncos are realizing that Tebow can't just will his way to wins anymore, if ever. I'm not trying to take anything away from Tebow but if you really look at the games the Broncos won, the other teams often shot themselves in the foot and the Broncos took advantage (Raiders, Miami and the Bears to name a few). The Raiders have mental and discipline issues. Most of the penalties the Raiders have gotten (155) are false starts and offensive holding. That is a lack of attention to detail but the Raiders still find themselves in a position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Its' simple, win and a Broncos loss or a Bengals loss and they are in. Of course, the Raiders want the division title because that means they host a playoff game. My pick is the Raiders win the division but the Broncos get in because the Ravens still have something to play for and will beat the Bengals.
After the first day of the NBA season, we saw some great games. The Knicks decided to show the world that they are serious contenders in the east. The Celtics didn't look too bad either. Very close game and KG missed a shot that would have tied the game with no time left. Meloplayed his ass off and Rondo showed he will let his game speak after all the trade rumors.
While LeBron looked good with his new post up game, I'm not going to crown the Heat champs. This game went exactly the way I thought it would. There is a history of the defending champs losing opening night when raising the championship banners pre game. Even the Bulls of the 90s lost opening night on a couple of occasions. One game doesn't make a champion, especially the first game of the season. Once again, Miami looked good but they looked just as good after the first game last year. Look at the numbers, LeBron and DWade combined to go 22-40 shooting and no one else attempted more then 9 shots. With this compacted season, Miami can't win playing games where LeBron and Wade are the offense. While on paper, the Heat look stronger, the depth of this team is still suspect at best. Dallas didn't shoot well at all shooting 37% from the field for the game. Chalk this up as a bad game for the Mavs and we'll see what happens.
The eye raising moment came in the Bulls/Lakers game. No one really expected the Lakers to play the defense they played on Christmas day. It was a pleasant surprise for Laker fans. The Bulls didn't play their normal pressure defense that they are known for until the fourth quarter and mounted a comeback for the one point win. Derrick Rose took advantage of the defense we all have seen the Bulls play and got the Bulls the lead with 9 seconds to play with a beautiful floater over Derrick Fisher and Pau Gasol. All in all, both teams looked good for the first game of the season and I wouldn't be surprised if these two teams met again in the Finals. Of course, that could be wishful thinking.
I was not impressed at all by the Magic/Thunder game. For one, Howard looked uninterested. For that matter, everyone on the Magic team except for J Nelson looked like they didn't want to play at all. There was no attempt at defensive play and a whole lot of standing around watching. I don't care what rumors are out there, as a professional basketball player, you have to show up every night. On the other side, Durrant and Westbrook seem to have ended whatever "feud" they had from last year. They had such chemistry on the floor like they new where the other one was the whole game. Big ups to James Harden, he played great in 32 minutes off the bench scoring 19. Getting to the rim and getting to the foul line. Harden hit 10-12 free throws and adding 6 boards and 3 ast. Production off the bench is needed for any team going for a championship. OKC
I have to give the Warriors credit. They didn't just allow the Clippers to make a highlight film of this game. Bad shooting nights for Curry and Wright hurt this team. In the end, the Clippers played and inside out game with Griffen's 22 points and Billups scoring 21. Chris Paul had 20 pts and 9 ast in his Clippers debut. With scoring like this from these 3, it will be hard to beat the Clippers going forward. The interesting note is Billups missed 7 three point shots and Jordan missed 8 free throws. I'm sure Deandre Jordan will work on his free throws going forward and Billups won't miss 7 threes either. Look out for the Clippers to do some damage this season. Can't wait!!!
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