NBA

[Grahaml]

Rose gone, Howard gone, New York never synching this season and most other east sides just lacking venom consistently makes it easier for Miami. Coupled with the fact Miami seem to have addressed a few issues (such as their starting 5 and who actually leads the side) and right now the east is there for Miami to control.

The West looks far more fun. Dallas still look dangerous enough to trouble OKC, both LA sides look to be in tough scraps for their first rounds and after last season I think we're all keen to see how the spurs go. Whichever sides progress, the semi finals don't look like they'll be too one sided either. I think the Spurs will take out the east and we'll have another group of veterans with one last shot at a title (this time they actually have rings though) taking on the most athletic side to ever play the game.

[Johno6]

looks like no amare for the rest of the series also with the cut hand from punching a fire exstinguisher (sp?) glass...

what a douche.

also Miami will win it this year no doubt from me

[Browny25]

I've backed OKC to take it out...

Sticking with that

[Jim05]

looks like no amare for the rest of the series also with the cut hand from punching a fire exstinguisher (sp?) glass...

what a douche.

also Miami will win it this year no doubt from me

Hope not
Worst possible scenario

[Johno6]

I've backed OKC to take it out...

Sticking with that

i would definately prefer 1 lakers then 2 OKC 3 dallas

but i think it will be miami.

[Johno6]

[Gozu]

Gregg Popovich got coach of the year today.

[Grahaml]

Just read an article on the Knicks about their troubles and came across this line which really shocked me.

"Every team but the Charlotte Bobcats, who joined the league in 2004, have won at least five playoff games since the Knicks, with all their hype and headlines, have won a single one."

Apparently since the Knicks last won a playoff game the Lakers have won over 100. Given the way Miami look to have them under control, could be a while longer before they win one too.

[Turbo]

Lakers 2 - 0 up. Kobe with a big 38

[RoosterMarty]

That was a terrible second half today. Shocking third quarter after a decent first half.

[Turbo]

Would love to see the 76ers knock the bulls out. Have always been my eastern conf team

[Jim05]

Spurs giving the Jazz an absolute hiding

[Dissident]

Clinic from SAS

And no player over 20 points.



Man, defensive player of the year was close!

[Dissident]

57% shooting vs 34%
ouch

[Grahaml]

Miami dominating New York. Finally Miami clearly now has a team leader and they're playing much better down the stretch as a result. Will the Knicks make one last effort to win game 4 or will they think of 2012/13 already?

[brod]

OKC 95-79 Dallas (OKC lead 3-0)
- Durant who shot 15/44 in the first two games was 11/15FG in game 3 for 31 points
- The Mavs shot 34%. Marion 1/8, Terry 3/10, Kidd 4/12, Dirk 6/15
- The 2006/07 Heat are the only defending champs to be swept in the first round under the current best of seven.

Heat 87-70 Knicks
- The Knicks shot 31%, Carmelo 7/23, JR Smith 5/18, not surprisingly they had only 8 assists
- Amare sat out but is hoping to play in Game 4
- Heat got just 5 points from the bench on 1/12FG
- Mario Chalmers had a solid game 7/11FG, 19pts, 7 reb, 3 steals

[brod]

The U.S. has added college player of the year Anthony Davis and Oklahoma City's James Harden to its pool of finalists for its Olympic men's basketball roster.

After losing Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose to their injury list, the Americans are back to 18 healthy players in the pool, allowing for a 12-man roster and six alternates.

The remaining healthy finalists are: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon and Lamar Odom -- though Odom's status is uncertain after his poor season that resulted in the Dallas Mavericks deactivating him.

[brod]

The man known to millions by nicknames as varied as "The Big Aristotle," "The Diesel," "Superman" and "The Big Shamrock" wants a new title after this weekend.

"Kids can still call me Shaq, but adults should call me Dr. O'Neal," Shaquille O'Neal told The Miami Herald.

The former NBA superstar will receive a Ph.D. in organizational learning and leadership alongside more than 1,100 other graduates in a ceremony at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida., on Saturday.

O'Neal will earn the title after spending the past four and a half years investigating the role of humour and seriousness in the workplace, which saw him question a group of CEOs and business leaders before delivering his research to a faculty panel. He will graduate with a 3.81 grade-point average.

[Jim05]

Miami dominating New York. Finally Miami clearly now has a team leader and they're playing much better down the stretch as a result. Will the Knicks make one last effort to win game 4 or will they think of 2012/13 already?

We were up by 10 just before halftime. Absolute pathetic capitulation, will get beaten by 30 in Game 4.
Massive clean out needed at seasons end

[Grahaml]

Miami dominating New York. Finally Miami clearly now has a team leader and they're playing much better down the stretch as a result. Will the Knicks make one last effort to win game 4 or will they think of 2012/13 already?

We were up by 10 just before halftime. Absolute pathetic capitulation, will get beaten by 30 in Game 4.
Massive clean out needed at seasons end

Which means Carmelo, Amare or Chandler being traded. I can't see that happening so it'll be some tinkering. Realistically whether they replace 4-5 guys off the bench or not it'll be up to those 3 to change the Knicks, which won't have anything to do with the guys playing minimal minutes or playing minor roles.