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Don’t sleep on the Milwaukee Bucks. This team is for real, and if your favorite Eastern Conference team has to play them in the NBA Playoffs, you’re going to find out just how real they are.
If you weren’t looking at the NBA standings everyday, there is no way you would guess where the Bucks currently stand in the NBA playoff picture.
After beating the third-place Boston Celtics last night, the Bucks currently hold the 5th place spot in the Eastern Conference, which would put them against the fourth place Atlanta Hawks, or maybe even the Boston Celtics, who are just a half-game away from dropping to fourth place in the East.
So why are the Bucks so good?
Well, before we get to that, let’s talk about how the Bucks got here. After entering the All-Star break at 24-28, four games below .500, the Bucks went on a roll, fueled by a few acquisitions acquired via the trade. The Bucks are 10-2 since the break, and 9-1 in their last 10, with losses to just Houston and Atlanta, the latter loss coming in overtime and on the road. The Bucks have wins over teams, such as Charlotte, Miami, Cleveland and Boston, all likely playoff teams that the Bucks could face this postseason.
So what happened to the Bucks? Why are they playing so well? For starters, John Salmons, the former Bulls guard, has probably been the best player acquired via trade this season. Salmons has led the Bucks in scoring in six of the Bucks games since the All-Star Break.
The main catalyst for the Bucks has been Andrew Bogut, who has been a beast over the past 12 games. Bogut has led the Bucks in rebounding 9 out of the Bucks last 12 games, and he has 7 double-doubles, including a 24-point and 20-rebound game, during that same stretch of games.
Obviously, the play of Brandon Jennings has been great, but the Bucks have also benefited from Luke Ridnour’s passing ability, Carlos Delfino’s all-around game, and Luc Mbah-a-Moute’s increased interior presence.
All and all, the Bucks are going to be a tough out during the NBA’s 2010 NBA playoffs. Because of a six-game gap between them and next highest team, Milwaukee probably won’t do better than the 5th seed. But a first-round matchup against Boston, and maybe even Atlanta, if played today could go either way. Don't be surprised when this young team, devoid of its highest paid player in Michael Reed, sneaks up on one of the East’s upper-echelon teams after having a rather forgettable first half of the season.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks Are Streaking
Marion Jones joins the WNBA's Tulsa Shock
Don’t call it a Comeback
Or maybe you should.
Marion Jones is expected to rejoin the world of basketball and sign on with the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock this season.
Marion Jones is now 34 years old, and is about a year and a half removed from the completion her jail sentence for lying to federal agents about her use of performance enhancing drugs.
Jones also had a child less than a year ago.
Still, the former Olympic athlete and National Championship point guard for the North Carolina Tarheels appears to have something left in the tank. The coach for the Shock was very high on Jones’ speed and passion for the game of basketball and truly believes that Jones has plenty to offer the Shock this season.
It will be interesting to see exactly what kind of player Jones is. Although she was near the top of the sport as an All-American for UNC in 1997, she quickly left the game to pursue her once heralded track-and-field career.
Thus, in many ways, this is a comeback for Marion Jones. Not only is this seemingly an attempt to re-enter the world of sports from which she was publicly shamed from two years ago, but this is also an attempt to return a sport she once left for grander opportunities.
So what do you think? Can Marion Jones become a star point-guard after her stint with PEDs, having had a child just 8 months ago, and after not playing the sport full-time since her days as an underclassman in college?
Let us know at comments@thesportswatchers.com.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Knicks Post Game Notes: Knicks Beat Atlanta...Barely
The New York Knicks almost let this one get away. Fortunately for them, Al Horford did not get the ball off in the “knick” of time.
Read More...
Monday, March 8, 2010
TSW Radio Show - Lakers, Mavs, Syracuse & NFL Free Agency
The Sports Watchers Radio Show returned after a "short" hiatus to talk about all things sports this Monday.
Uzo started off with the issues concerning the two Western Conference Leaders: the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Uzo thinks the Mavericks "don't get no respect." He also thinks the Lakers are flirting with not being in tune come NBA playoff time.
Uzo also tackled why he likes championship week so much, and why he still thinks Syracuse is about to suffer a horrible defeat early on in NCAA Tournament.
Lastly, Uzo doesn't think Julius Peppers arrival in Chicago or Anquan Boldin's arrival in Baltimore are the final pieces for either team. A step in the right direction? Yes. A change in the NFL landscape? No.
Listen to the show below, or go to iTunes and download our podcast.
What's Wrong with the Los Angeles Lakers?
What’s with the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped 3 in a row and the only good team in the NBA that they seem capable of beating right now is the Denver—another team that just continues to fade.
With the Lakers slumping, and with Kobe taking all the shots, is the Lakers team doomed come playoff time?
Well, let me answer that question with an emphatic, "NO!" Of course, much of that has to do with the competition level in the Western Conference. Say what you will about how great the West is, but it’s hard to imagine the Lakers not cruising to the Western Conference Championships if they finish the regular season as the #1 seed in the West.
But perhaps they won’t fair as well in the 2010 NBA Conference Finals as they did in last year’s Conference round, and there are three reasons why.
First, Kobe Bryan is taking a whole lot of shots, and this really should stop going unnoticed. Already this season we have heard Pau Gasol stress his displeasure over not getting enough touches in the post. Here we are in mid-March, and that seems to have continued, especially over the past several games when Kobe has just been a shooting machine.
In the Lakers loss to Miami, Kobe took 28 shots and Gasol had only 11 shots.
In a loss to Charlotte, Gasol did get 14 shots in this one, but Kobe took 21 shots, had just 2 assists and 3 turnovers.
And in a loss to Orlando, Kobe took 30 shots, making just 12 of those field goals.
It’s one thing to take a lot of shots, but it’s another thing when one guy is taking a predominant number of shots and being counted on to initiate every offensive play. That’s just a difficult way to win basketball games. Don’t get me wrong, Kobe deserves and works for every shot he gets. However, the Lakers need to get everybody involved in order to win another NBA championship this season, and that necessary distribution of the ball just isn’t happening for the Lakers right now.
As a consequence of Kobe dominating the basketball, the Lakers aren’t getting any assists as a team. Over the last 3 games, all of which the Lakers have lost, they have accumulated a total of 46 assists, or 15.3 assists per game. Not winning basketball. To get back to their winning ways, and to win in the NBA playoffs, the Lakers have to get some offense going and create opportunities via the pass. For example, in a route of the Indiana Pacers six days ago, the Lakers recorded 28 assists. Consequently, they had just 15 assists to Miami’s 25 in a loss to the Heat last Thursday.
Lastly, the Lake-show needs to get more out of Ron Artest if it’s going to be successful in the playoffs. The Lakers signed Artest because he was supposed to be better, and most importantly, more consistent than Trevor Ariza, who the Lakers probably didn’t think was capable of reproducing the same kind of postseason he had last year. And while Artest has been a stalwart defensively-speaking, his offense has been up-and-down to say the least.
Over the past three games, Artest has 10, 8 and 2 points, with that lone double-digit effort coming by way of an overtime game. Certainly, Artest has the ability to turn it on at anytime, but he doesn’t appear to have a solid role in the Lakers offense as the fourth option on most nights. But if the Lakers are going to get to and win the NBA Finals, then they need Artest to at the very least, have a few big offensive games in the postseason. While I certainly can’t say that he’s incapable of doing just that, the man has only gone over 20 points on three occasions this year, and most of those were in 2009.
While it’s certainly no time to panic in Los Angeles, it’s no time to be at ease either. The Lakers just don’t look like they’re all that interested in the regular season. For some teams that might be okay, but for a Lakers team that isn’t the most aggressive or strong-willed team there is, it’s hard to imagine them just turning on a switch come May.
Mavs Don't Get No Respect
Don’t look now, but the Dallas Mavericks are quietly going after that top spot in the Western Conference, and nobody seems to be afraid of them.
Well, you should be.
Over the last few weeks since the NBA All-Star Break, I have been touting the Dallas Mavericks play. I have also received a lot of feedback with people thinking I have some kind of tie to the Mavericks. Sorry to say it, but personally, I hate the Mavericks, and nothing would make me happier than to see them lose.
However, I save my feelings for when I’m watching sports in an arena or on my couch, not when I’m analyzing and breaking down teams as a writer. So if you think anything I write about the Mavericks comes from some personal love for that franchise, you’re not only mistaken, but you also have failed to watch the Mavs play this season.
My real question to anyone doubting the Mavericks right now is, what is it about the Mavs that you do not like?
Here are some of the arguments I have heard against the Mavericks over the past few weeks:
The Mavs can’t beat the good teams.
Well, that’s just not a true statement at all. The Mavericks can’t only beat the good teams; they have beaten the good teams! Since acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, the Mavs have knocked off playoff contender after playoff contender, including but not limited to, Phoenix, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Charlotte. Now, I will be the first to admit that the Mavericks struggled to beat the good teams prior to the trade, but now it seems as if that’s no longer an issue.
The Mavs can’t play any defense.
Once again, that’s just another poor, unjustified argument. Over the last 3 weeks alone, Dallas has held Phoenix to 97 points, Orlando to 85, the Lakers to 96, the Bobcats to 84 and the Pacers to 82. Once again, I am not failing to recognize the other side of that argument, as the Mavs have given up big offensive games to Atlanta, Sacramento and Chicago during that time span as well. However, much of that can be attributed to the fact that this team has an entirely new starting lineup. You can’t just throw two new people into a rotation and expect the defense to be on par with the rest of the league.
Fortunately for the Mavs, the two guys they inserted into the lineup should help them once everything is figured out. Brendan Haywood is a great individual defender, who can be the paint-clogger for this team come playoff time. And Caron Butler, although not the most quick-footed of perimeter guys, he does have the strength to nullify big guys like Ron Artest and Paul Pierce.
The Mavs are too old to win in the postseason.
Yes, the Mavericks are the oldest team in the NBA. Of course, adding the likes of Butler and Haywood definitely gave them a couple of players that have a lot left in their tank, not too mention two players who weren’t exactly playing a lot of intense basketball with the Wizards prior to the trade. But let’s not pretend like the Mavericks don’t have the depth to overcome some of the age they have at the other positions. If Jason Kidd can’t play a lot of minutes, Jose Juan Barea can fill in. If Shawn Marion can’t go all game long, Jason Terry is one of the best sixth men in the league. And obviously, Haywood takes a lot of pressure off of Erick Dampier. So while I understand the notion that the Mavs are an old team, I don’t see how it is going to hold them back. There are no back-to-back games in the postseason, and the Mavs have more than enough depth to spread some minutes around.
The Mavs have gotten lucky wins.
I have heard this sentiment again and again, and most of it has to do with the fact that the Mavericks have the smallest point-differential among the top 8 teams in the West, and the Mavs are an astonishing, or a lucky, 16-5 in games decided by 5 points or less. However, in all fairness, most of that point differential was established prior to the Mavs trade for Butler and Haywood. Since that trade, the Mavs have a point a differential of plus-5.9 points per game. I know that’s not impressive, but that includes the Mavs first game after the trade, a game where one would have expected them to suffer quite a bit. Omit that game, and the Mavs have a point differential of plus-7.8, which is a very good mark for an NBA team.
Listen, I have heard it all, and I have heard it all again, but the Mavs are just better than people are willing to give them credit for. Here they are, with 11 straight wings and another one likely to come tonight against Minnesota, and yet people are still calling them pretenders. But they are 2nd in the West and just 3 games behind the champion Lakers, a team they have already beaten twice. It would seem to me that being in that position should garner them some respect, but I guess being one of the top 4 teams in the league just isn’t good enough anymore.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Boldin to Ravens; Peppers to Bears
With free agency alive and well in the NFL, teams are already making waves with new acquisitions, signings and trades. Even the Detroit Lions are getting active this offseason, making two splashy moves of their own.
Of course, there are two moves that have involved some of the biggest names in the NFL. Let’s discuss.
Baltimore Ravens trade for Anquan Boldin
In a trade that involved Boldin and some picks, the Baltimore Ravens made a significant upgrade at the wide receiver position.
My first opinion of this trade is that it was an absolute no-brainer for the Ravens. Baltimore has not had an electrifying wide receiver throughout the franchise’s entire stint in Baltimore. Boldin automatically brings a playmaking ability to the Ravens passing game, and for a mere two late-round draft picks, the Ravens got him at a very low price. Now the Ravens can put Boldin in the slot, requiring defenses to put extra cornerbacks in the game and double-team him from a position on the field that’s hard to double. This will undoubtedly open up the Ravens passing game and give young quarterback Joe Flacco a go-to guy on third down.
However, I do not think Boldin is the best wide receiver for the Ravens. Don’t get me wrong, he was probably the best receiver available this offseason. Still, the Ravens needed to add a deep threat to their arsenal, and that’s not what Boldin does best. Boldin stretches the field horizontally, making you cover him from sideline to sideline. But Boldin is not a great deep-route runner, as he’s not the fastest guy in the world. The Ravens are still going to have to get a speedster to stretch the field, but certainly, acquiring Boldin means they don’t need a high-profile receiver to fill that role.
Chicago Bears sign Julius Peppers
Before the free agent period began, had you asked me what would be my reaction to the signing of Julius Peppers, I would have told you that no matter who he signed with, I would have been crazy with excitement about what Peppers could do for that defense and his new team.
However, imagining Peppers in a Bears uniform doesn’t give me that difference-maker feeling. Surely, the Bears defense will be better, and they will probably get more pressure on the quarterback. But the Bears need a lot more pieces on the defensive side of the ball before they make anybody fear them. Even in the pass rush, Peppers provided just 10 sacks last year, and the Panthers finished a mere 23rd in the league in sacks. So without the right players on defense to help Peppers out, it’s hard for me to see how Peppers helps the Bears defense all that much.
Most importantly, I don’t think the defensive side of the ball is what the Bears should have had their focus on this offseason. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first guy to tell you that defense wins championships, but last season, the Bears put their faith and future (in the form of draft picks) in a guy named Jay Cutler. But Cutler doesn’t have the weapons to deliver on his potential. The Bears lack wide receivers, offensive linemen, and the running back position may even be in question. If you ask me, the hiring of Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator made this a perfect time for the Bears to upgrade their offense. They decided to go away and leave their best player without help for yet another season. We’ll see how that plays out in Chicago in 2010.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Even in a loss, Duke May Earn #1 Seed
Did the Duke Blue Devils blow their chance at a #1 seed after losing to the Maryland Terrapins last night?
Not quite.
While Duke’s loss to Maryland wasn’t a bad one, there are those who think this loss should put the Blue Devils out of contention for a #1 seed.
However, the landscape of the college basketball season may help the Blue Devils get their number seed, afterall.
I foolishly predicted that Kansas State would win their game against Kansas and secure a #1 seed for themselves. But since KSU lost to Kansas, that leaves one #1 seed leftover, assuming Syracuse, Kansas and Kentucky are all going to get #1 seeds in this year’s tournament.
KSU’s 18-point loss was so embarrassing, that I think it’s going to be hard for them to get back in #1 seed contention.
Purdue is a great team that got another win last night, but at the end of they day, they don’t have Robbie Hummel. His absence could deter voters from giving Purdue a legitimate shot at a #1 seed.
Also, watch out for Ohio State and Villanova. Ohio State has the one-player in college basketball that no coach would even try to trade for. And Villanova still has the entire Big East Tournament ahead of them. If Villanova wins that tournament, it’s going to be hard for the committee to deny them their rightful #1 seed.
Still, that leaves plenty of space for Duke to make their move. The Maryland loss was untimely, and their upcoming game against North Carolina is not an impressive resume win. However, Duke is #2 in a lot of the RPI rankings, and their strength of schedule is just as impressive. So as much as it pains me to say this, the Duke Blue have a shot at the #1 seed. Once again, we will see how that goes.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
NCAA Tournament Predictions: Five Bold Predictions!
We are less than two weeks away from Selection Sunday, which is on March 14th, 2010.
Still, even with the teams yet to have been announced, I am willing to stick my neck out there and make a few bold predictions about the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
We will start with the ultimate prediction: Who are going to be the #1 seeds?
#1. Here are my unquestionable #1 seeds as it stands right now:
East: Kentucky Wildcats
South: Syracuse Orange
Midwest: Kansas Jayhawks
That leaves us with one more #1 seed spot out west, and that spot will go to either Duke or Kansas State. I believe it will go to Kansas State, based merely on the fact that Kansas State has the opportunity to play themselves into a #1 seed, while Duke doesn’t. With games against Kansas (tonight) and a difficult Big 12 Conference Tournament, KSU can move in on Duke. Of course, they could falter as well, and Duke could get the #1 seed, but I think KSU will play well enough to take the #1 seed out West.
#2. To get a bit more daring, here is the #1 seed I don’t think makes it to the Sweet 16: The Syracuse Orange.
Sorry to say that, as well as the Orange play, I think they are very susceptible to an early round loss. They depend on the three, and they rely on their zone defense. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that the zone plays to their advantage, but a smart team, from a mid-major school that sees more zone than most big schools, might be able to defeat that zone, and if Syracuse isn’t hitting from three-point land, it could get ugly.
#3. Here are 3 teams on the proverbial bubble that won’t make the field of 64.
Saint Mary’s Gaels: They play great team basketball, but at the end of the day, I think a weak schedule keeps them out.
Notre Dame: Without Luke Harangody, the tournament selection committee will have a difficult time putting this team in the field. If they can beat UCONN tonight, things will change, but I don’t foresee that happening.
Florida Gators: I know this may shock Gator Nation, but I don’t their team is going to make it. For starters, they are 9-6 in the SEC, not impressive by any measure. Also, they are only 7-9 against RPI top 100. They finish the season against Kentucky, and that will likely be a loss. And if they go out early in the SEC tournament, they can make reservations for the NIT immediately following the game.
#4. Flat out: Ohio State will make the Final Four
I’m not even going to explain this. I will just write two words: Evan Tuner.
#5. And my bold college basketball tournament of the day is: No #1 seeds will make the Final Four.
I think this tournament is going to be full of upsets. Call me crazy, but none of the #1 seeds look that unbeatable, except for Kansas, and I think they could easily go down against any team that decides to attack Cole Aldrich early on in the game. I know I’ll get plenty of hate mail from the Kansas, Syracuse, Duke and Kentucky contingents, but I think this year, March Madness really goes mad.
TSW Radio Show - NCAA Tournament Expansion, Wade v. LeBron & 40-yard Dash Times
In today's episode of The Sports Watchers Radio Show, Uzo tackled a ton of sports issues.
First, Uzo digs into the recent talk about expanding the Men's College Basketball Tournament. Uzo does not think it's that bad of an idea, and he tells you why some people in the media are against it.
Secondly, Uzo gives you his 5-bold predictions for this year's NCAA Tournament.
Also, Uzo talks about the possibility of LeBron James versus Dwyane Wade in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Lastly, Uzo still doesn't like the 40-yard dash, and now there is evidence as to why the whole thing is flawed anyway.
Listen to the show below or subscribe on iTunes.
