The Beginning of the End for David Stern

I think David Stern tonight did more damage to his career and legacy than the entire lockout did. It was the fairest trade the Hornets were going to get for Chris Paul. Yes, the Lakers can pair Chris Paul with Kobe, but the price was both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Bringing the Rockets in the deal and New Orleans gets a team that's like last year's Nuggets, in that they are deep enough to compete for a playoff spot and who knows if they can flip an asset for a better player. Hornets GM Dell Demps should be commended tonight for a great haul for a player everybody knew was out the door.

Instead, after a few owners were upset that Chris Paul was Laker-bound, David Stern takes it upon himself to kill the deal. Now to be fair, the NBA is the owner of the Hornets and in any normal case, an owner can overrule the GM if he/she doesn't want to make a trade. However, it's not normal when a league owns a team and they can't use the same rules that any other owner would. The conflict of interest is too obvious (since the 29 owners own the Hornets, we saw 2 of them approve this trade). And yet, Stern puts the kibosh on the agreement.

I actually could understand the move a little more (still not like it, but understand it) if this was about getting an owner to pay more money to buy New Orleans. Yet, the league's position is that this trade was blocked for "basketball reasons" (leading to a fun night I had on Twitter with the hashtag #basketballreasons). Read the story Adrian Wojnarowski wrote about the trade (my first link in this post) and it's apparent that Stern is trying to control where players going so that the players don't have the control in this instance. Then you find that Dan Gilbert (Cavs owner; of comic-sans fame) continues to write humorous letters to people. Oh, wait, he's serious and is nearly reaching Ted Septien-levels of head-shaking ownership. So much for labor peace; the players just signed the new collective bargaining agreement this afternoon.

So what happens now? Does Chris Paul even get traded? How about Dwight Howard? If they are force to stay with their respective teams, what happens next year when both men are free agents and want to leave and won't make the same money that they can if they sign with their own team. Seems to me that a collusion suit can and will be filed. As for David Stern, this is the last straw. I only remember two other commissioner pulling a move like this; Stern's former protege Gary Bettman putting the Devils signing of Ilya Kovalchuk on hold for circumventing the salary cap (despite many instances of other teams doing the same thing) and Bowie Kuhn blocking the A's from selling Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi in 1976 for cash. Seems to me that Stern is using the blocking in a much more irrational way. It's only a matter of time before Stern will no longer be able to be irrational in his way of dealing with the NBA.

UPDATE: I forgot the last point; this is horrible news if your a fan of the Lakers, Heat (well, they got their guys), Knicks, Bulls, Clippers, even Mavs (eventually). Now, you can't use your money to grab franchise players if you already have one. So don't be celebrating the Lakers losing a player, because you could be in the same shoes the next time.

Even More NBA Trade Frenzy

Yesterday, I banged out a blog post about the Knicks and Nets moves, with one point I left out. Russell Westbrook would be the PG to compete with Chris Paul out West if Paul stayed there. That's not why I'm writing today, it's because of the moves Westbrook's team, and other made today just as the deadline passed. Let's recap as we take a breath.


The move that set the ball in motion was the Celtics trading Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Both teams had more moves as Oklahoma picks up Nazr Mohammad from Charlotte for Mo Peterson and D.J. White. These moves just put the Thunder as a legitimate contender, if they weren't so already. Now, they have the size that they were lacking last year when they faced the Lakers. The Celtics weren't done unloading bigs as they traded Semih Erdem and Luke Harangody to Cleveland for a second round pick. To me, it seemed ridiculous for Boston to make all these moves to give up the size (even if they sign Troy Murphy after the buyout by Golden State) that puts them with every chance to win the title this year, until you look at how they have cap room for 2012, which is looking like another big year for free agents. Still, they are too much in the thick of this year's race to think to the future and now are dependent on a return by Shaq in the playoffs.


Houston was the other team that was particularly busy as they traded Aaron Brooks to Phoenix for Goran Dragic and a 1st rounder, after trading Shane Battier to Memphis for Hasheem Thabeet and a 1st rounder. To me, Houston is taking a big risk by taking on Thabeet and hoping he shows any of the value that made him the second pick in the 2009 draft. Otherwise, Dragic and the two 1st rounders are good pieces. Brooks has fallen out of favor, so Dragic is an upgrade for this team. As for the picks, they can use the picks to move higher in the draft this year. If I'm Phoenix, I'd use the fact they picked up Brooks to explore trading Steve Nash, for Nash's sake. Especially with Phoenix trading another 1st rounder. As for Memphis, bringing back Battier puts them in the playoffs, of course, they couldn't finish their business as a rumored O.J. Mayo trade to Indiana fell through. If Mayo can straighten up the trouble he's had this year, it could be the best trade the Grizzlies never made.


Quick rundown of the rest of the trades: The Cavs are the clear winner with their trade with the Clippers, getting Baron Davis and a lottery pick this year for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. The Wizards trading Kirk Hinrich to Atlanta for Mike Bibby in a five player trade is more or less window dressing, though makes the Hawks backcourt younger. The other move today was the Bobcats trading Gerald Wallace to Portland for Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham and 2 1st round picks. Good move for Portland who became buyers and pick up an underrated scorer in Wallace. He can fill Brandon Roy's shoes and with the leap LaMarcus Aldridge made this season, the Trail Blazers can put a scare in one of the top 4 in the West.

Series-clinching Thursday Live Blog

Huge night in sports as the NBA had must-wins for the Magic and the Rockets in their Game 6's. Meanwhile, the NHL had dueling Game 7's with the Red Wings hosting the Anaheim Ducks and the Hurricanes faced the Bruins. Thus, I decided to use my Twitter page to do a running diary.

7:02- We are live in the headquarters of The Cycle where I've cracked open my first Bud Light choosing drinkability for the night. Stay thirsty, my friends.

7:10- Pregame picks: Both Bostons, Lakers and Red Wings win tonight.

7:17- Osgood matching Marc-Andre Fleury from last night with a great save early in tonight's Game 7, Ducks on the power play.

7:20- Wow, 5 on 3 Ducks for a minute, doesn't the NHL want their glamour teams winning? The NHL, "Where meaningless teams get to win happens."

7:23- Wings survive the Ducks push early, Ducks look much better to start, while the WIngs look a little like the Caps last night. Wings power play.

7:25- WHOA... How dare Mike Tricio steal Gus Johnson's "Rise and Fire" line for a Lewis jumper. Soon he'll be saying "I'm Al Harrington and I get buckets."

7:28- Another stick save by Osgood, still holding the fort. Celtics by 3.

7:30- Both games on commercial, a chance to watch CC get out of the 1st with a good catch by Damon. When he carries this team, their in trouble.

7:36- Three's by Scalbrine (the benefactor of the KG injury), Pietrus then a House jumper to end the 1st. 25-22 C's. Nothing special yet.

7:38- This is the wrong series for Pavel Datsyuk to play in. The Ducks are just too physical for him to create.

7:40- The Red Wings are always in the right spot, Franzen shot, deflected by Hudler, 1-0 Detroit.

7:42- Worst part of the tonight's Game 7's, that I have to watch B's-Canes with Jack Edwards. The best part, I get to listen to Andy Brickley.

7:48- End of the 1st Period, Wings 1 Ducks 0. More importantly, no continuation fights from Tuesday.

7:57- Mike Tricio seems to say something and the opposite happens. Tirico: "Celtics offense has hit a rut." "Turkoglu hasn't hit a shot...until now", now if only he could say Keith can't find work?

8:01- This night of sports is helped by The Sports Guy's chat. Well done Simmons.

8:04- Now that I'm watching the C's-Magic for a while, it's clear Orlando has checked out of this series, aside from Mickael Pietreus. Even the Caps had Ovechkin be the only player showing up last night.

8:06- Now's its time to real showcase my remote skills as B's-Canes is underway. O/U goals I miss in person: 2.5. I have to take the under.

8:08- Also clear, the Magic are better and if they play better and SVG puts the right guys in, they should dominate.

8:16- Well I wish I had taken the over, Darren Helm scores, just saw the replay. 2-0 Wings.

8:19- Halftime in Orlando, 46-45 C's. Magic go on 11-2 run then two Pierce FTs and one by Alston.

8:23- Another Red Wings power play, Ducks can't stop using the stick on players. Wings close to taking full control.

8:24- Another goal missed. Bruins 1-0, not even a replay. Excuse me while I stick my head in the toilet.

8:28- BYRON BITZ!!!! He scores the goal? That's like if Colton Orr scored for the Rangers in Game 7 of the Caps series.

8:35- Great job by Datsyuk to kill the 5 on 3 and the less than sellout in Detroit is very loud right now.

8:38- About time I saw a goal for myself, Teemu Selanne after taking a crushing hit, with the nifty move to make it 2-1. My thumbs are safe for another minute.

8:39- Wings answer after Datsyuk took a HUGE hit on the boards but somehow threw it back to Mikael Samuelsson to make it 3-1.

8:42- And naturally I miss the Canes equalizer. Dennis Seidenberg makes me wrong with my O/U.

8:43-Corey Perry scores for Anaheim to make it 3-2 Wings.

8:45- OMG!!! Chris Osgood is playing the game of his life. Making save after save. Coming from a man who's won 3 Stanley Cups, I'm impressed.

8:46- End of 2, Wings 3-2. Meanwhile, it's 1-1 in Boston, time to watch the Magic-Celtics.

8:50- Remember when J.J. Redick went to Duke and we all hated and feared him. Now with Orlando, I no longer hate him nor fear him. I miss it.

8:55- I wish I could do a better job writing the Celtics-Magic, but this game is pretty boring. Plus, the hockey games are more on my mind.

8:59- I flip back on the Celtics game, their 9-point lead is cut to five.

9:01- If Dwight Howard is supposed to be the best big man in the league, you don't let Rondo get 14 boards before the 4th quarter.

9:03- Now Tirico steals "Helter Skelter" from Doc Emrick. But avoids using Bill Raftery's "And a Kiss" when Skip to my Lou kisses the ref's head.

9:05- Now if only the Magic can keep running the alley oop play with Howard all night.

9:07- All of a sudden, Starbury is beginning to play well. BTW, gotta keep writing my book in the 2000s Knicks. It will be called Truck Parties and Lawsuits, the Fall of the Knicks.

9:12- WHAT!!! The Wings whistle the "Potvin Sucks" chant. How dare they? Its bad enough the Devils do it and change the target, but Detroit? I'm pissed.

9:16- Ducks tie it. Bobby Ryan makes it 3-3. Versus biggest nightmare is OT and no one can watch the Canes-B's game, unless they paid the $79 on NHL Center Ice, like Bill Simmons did.

9:18- Finally saw a goal in the Bruins game. Sergei Samsonov makes it 2-1 Carolina.

9:22- Rajon Rondo bringing back the Magic Johnson act: 17 points, 16 boards, 6 dimes. OMG, how can all 3 be on commercial now?

9:30- Hard work leads to glory, Dan Cleary scores with 3 min left to give Detroit a 4-3 lead.

9:33- Ducks have trouble getting out of their end, now its in the Wings zone and Hiller leaves for an extra skater. 30 seconds left.

9:38- After a great stop by Osgood, the Red Wings win it 4-3. Chicago-Detroit West Final. Bettman pisses himself in joy. At the same time, the second period ends in Boston with the Canes still up 2-1.

9:40- Turkoglu hits a three to make it Magic by 6. Is there a comeback left in the Celtics?

9:44- This looks about done. And the Celtics can only look at themselves in the mirror as they gave a team who was ready to quit some life. 22 turnovers is inexcuseable. Also, Dwight Howard played his best game of the series.

9:46- Game over, series tied at 3 as the Magic win 83-75. Almost time for LA-Hou and the Bruins-Canes 3rd Period.

9:49- Save of the year by Aaron Ward as he puts a stick on the puck before it goes in the net. And no, he doesn't play goalie for the Bruins. Bruins are still alive.

10:00- Good start by the Rockets, however, they started well on Tuesday.

10:04- Milan Lucic ties it up in Boston. Great goal for the poor man's Cam Neely.

10:06- Lakers look like they showed up the same way as they did in Game 4. Hence, they trail 17-1. Bruins are buzzing right now.

10:11- Tonight's Game 7's have gone much better for the NHL. All they need is the Bruins winning and they will have a TV-friendly Finals matchup.

10:17- I feel tense watching the Bruins-Canes game and I don't care about either team. I don't even have the typical Boston hate with the Bruins to have me root against them.

10:23- Tim Thomas with the header, taking the wrister off the mask, then makes another save. The fact is the hockey goalie is the toughest position in sports, more pressure than any other.

10:27- OT in Boston, Kobe's 3-11 to start with six points, not a great sign for the Lakers. 33-21 Rockets.

10:34- Nervously awaiting OT and this Laker game isn't helping. I'll be back when the OT starts.

10:46- The puck is dropped!!!

10:49- Another great save by Thomas. Certainly, he should win the Vezina this year.

10:51- Bruins-Canes now gets the DVR treatment, now I won't miss the goal if I wander away. It's like giving a two-year old a playpen.

10:55- Aaron Ward first saves the game, then crushes Tuumo Ruutu. Why couldn't he play like this when he wore a Rangers sweater.

10:58- Rockets by 16 at halftime, hopefully the hockey game ends before the 2nd half begins, so I can focus.

11:00- WE WANT IT has to be the lamest chant you can say at a sporting event. Come'on, think of something clever. If not, stick with "Let's go Bruins".

11:07- Even Simmons has slowed down with his chat, and he's a professional writer.

11:10- There is nothing as pulse-pounding in all of sports as a Stanley Cup Playoff Game 7 in OT. Nothing!!!

11:17- Scott Walker seals himself as the ultimate Boston villian, first the sucker punch on Ward, now scores the winner as the Canes take the series.

11:23- Back to Houston, where it's all of a sudden 54-45?

11:28- Now it's 54-50, 14-2 Laker run. What the hell happened to the Rockets? Once again, the Lakers turn it on and off, their trademark.

11:33- Huge sequence: Kobe gives the ball away to Battier, leads to Landry 3 pt play. Kobe responds with a jumper.

11:37- Aaron Brooks hits 3, Rockets back up by 8.

11:51- Rockets keep their heads above water, and lead by 9 after 3. Kobe to start the 4th on the bench

11:59- Timeout on the floor, the Lakers without Kobe haven't sunk the team, Kobe has the chance to win this series.

12:03- David Stern roots for the officials. Everyone who reads this should come up with a comment about this. Especially if you follow the NBA like I do.

12:05- Carl Landry has been huge in this game, Kobe's waiting to go in, and the Rockets are starting to open it up midway thru the 4th.

12:11- Looking at the statline, if this score holds up, it's because of Scola and Landry scoring and nothing outside Kobe and Pau for the Lakers.

12:13- Something new for everyone to emulate, Kobe biting his jersey when going for the ball. Don't know what I think of this.

12:17- Aaron Brooks is rightfully proving me wrong for not including him with Scola and Landry. He's been amazing in the last two home games.

12:22- I guess it's about time to prepare for two Game 7s in the NBA on Sunday. No way I do another live tweet/blog this soon. Too much work and not enough words.

12:27- Show of hands, who thought there would be a Game 7 in this series once Yao went down? I know I didn't.

12:30- Wow, Mark Jackson took Kenny "The Jet" Smith to task for wearing a red Rockets blazer and bow tie on Inside the NBA. Even used "fellow New Yorker" to put him in further shame. As a native New Yorker like the two of them, I have to go with Mark Jackson.

12:34- Final in Houston, 95-80 Rockets. Sunday at 3 will be Game 1 of Hawks-Wings, 3:30 Rockets-Lakers Game 7, then the deciding game between the Magic and Celtics. Goodnight everybody.

Randomness while being thankful I never played basketball at Queensbridge

- Ron Artest has proven to be the most interesting player during the playoffs. Whether it's calling Brandon Roy the best player he guarded (aside from someone who's in jail), claiming Charles Barkley was overrated, sitting in the stands and joking about it, giving Yao Ming some personality, bringing back the Anthony Mason hair cut with a mohawk, getting into it with Kobe or talking about a friend of his who died on the court in QB; Artest is appointment TV whenever the press talks to him.

- As for the Lakers-Rockets series, it looks like the Lakers have things back in control. Especially with Yao out for the playoffs. And if Artest keeps getting himself ejected from games. But, this has been a good series, very 80s or early 90s like with the physical play.

- Once again Dallas Mavericks fans, I feel your pain. Bennett Salvadore's crew strikes again just like it did in the 2006 NBA Finals as there wasn't a foul called before Carmelo Anthony's Larry Johnsonesque three-pointer to win Game 3. The Mavs had a foul to give and if called, the Nuggets have about 3 seconds to inbound and shoot. Denver was going to win the series anyway, but now there's no doubt.

- Not much to say about the Cavs since they are still on track. As for Orlando-Boston, the Magic need to win tomorrow night, if they lose, they won't win in Boston. Both series aren't worth watching, as the Cavs are MUCH better than Atlanta, its like fishing with dynamite. And the Magic-Celtics series is just like the Heat-Hawks last round, no close games.

- On the other hand, it's nice to know Rafer Alston reads this blog as he knows it was okay to slap Eddie House.

- Alright I'll say, can we get rid of the hype man at NBA arenas. And that is one of about 467 ways that I would make the NBA better if I was the commissioner.

- On to hockey, where the Pens have rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the series over the Caps. Crosby and Ovechkin have been huge, but Malkin scoring the big goal is finally playing better. By the way, Alex Semin, where are you? You're as missing right now as Andrew Bynum. Ovie can't do it all, though he comes close to doing it.

- Eric Staal has taken over his series against the Bruins as Carolina can win the series tomorrow night. Cam Ward has played well and Jussi Jokinen is this year's Johan Franzen. Of course, Carolina is in the process of ruining the NHL's wet dream of a season. Ratings are up, Chicago and Boston are back and vibrant, but if Carolina goes to the Finals, it would kill the momentum the league is having.

- The Anaheim Ducks would do the same thing and God forbid it's Ducks-Canes in the Finals. Ratings would plummet back to 06-07 numbers. The good news, the Wings look like they finally got to Jonas Hiller. If they win in Detroit tomorrow, they should take the series.

- Continuing on the ruining the playoffs department, I would like to thank the Vancouver Canucks for playing the games in Chicago with the trap. When we are watching a new, exciting NHL games that are bring fans back, they have to come out with the defensive system responsible for turning fans away in the first place, along with overexpansion and the 94-95 lockout.

- In classic A-Rod fashion, he returns with a home run on his first pitch of the season. The reason it's classic A-Rod fashion is because it's his way of teasing us. Of course, the Yankees need every bit of it. Plus more games like CC Sabathia pitched last night. What they can't have is starts like Phil Hughes tonight, and homestands where the Red Sox and Rays sweep because of no timely hitting and a bad bullpen. A more pertanent question, are this year's Yankees last year's Mets? We'll find out if there's a collapse in the forecast.

- Speaking of the Mets, they seem to finally have some rhythm as they have started to hit in the clutch, and their starters are pitching better. In a related story, Ollie Perez is no longer in the rotation.

- Many thanks to Zack Greinke for his blistering start, making the Royals and My Cousin Yuri in the fantasy world look good and better than they could be, respectively. Even though he looks like he's going to lose his game 1-0 (this is being written Saturday night).

- Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather will have their fight in November, assume Juan Manuel Marquez does right and loses in July. It could also be in October or December. Regardless, I will do everything in my power to watch that fight.

-The final word goes back to the NBA. LeBron James has clearly passed Kobe as the best player in the league. Kobe has shown some age and now relies on his jumper while less and less drives to the basket. Don't view this as a knock on Kobe and he's still an assassin and when the game's on the line, he's still my first pick to take that shot. But LeBron continues to perfect his game and the Olympic experience has matured his game; made him more focused and grounded. LeBron is rightfully the best player in the game and the rightful MVP, so Laker fans, you can stop chanting M-V-P for Kobe.

The ultimate appitizer to the main course playoffs.

There is a feeling that this year's NBA playoffs are particularly anti-climatic, now that Kevin Garnett looks to be done for the year. The two players above are almost locks to make the NBA Finals. So does that make the NBA Playoffs a complete waste? As a basketball fan, I say no because in the 1st round, we have six series that are going to be interesting to watch and you can even see what to expect from the Cavs when they play Detroit. So lets start with them in the East.

#1 Cleveland vs #8 Detroit- If the Cavs are serious about winning, they will destroy the floundering Pistons. If the Pistons take this series to a sixth game, the Cavs failed and only make the road to the Finals tougher. This isn't like Boston last year who were thrown together and needed to learn to go through adversity, the Cavs have been able to roar through the 1st round before. I don't see any way LeBron let's them lose and the Cavs sweep.

#2 Boston vs #7 Chicago- So you have the KG-less Celtics taking on the 10th straight edition of the Baby Bulls. The Bulls had a golden opportunity to avoid this matchup on Wednesday and face the shaky Magic, but they embarassed themselves against the Raptors. Now, they get the champs who are much discussed without Kevin Garnett (as well as GM Danny Ainge, who had a heart attack). The Bulls will push the C's with ROY Derrick Rose, but the championship experience of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will lead the Celtics in 6.

#3 Orlando vs #6 Philadelphia- Once again, the Magic are this year's honorary NBA TV series as they take on a Sixers team that stopped playing until the Cavs sat out their stars and beat them in Cleveland. Orlando has a great draw now that it's Philly and not Chicago. The best case for the Sixers is they have a third game at home. Unfortunately, the Sixers aren't important in Philly anymore so the Magic ride D-Ho and will win easily. And yes, I meant to write D-Ho for Dwight Howard. Magic in 5.

#4 Atlanta vs #5 Miami- The best series in the East features Dwyane Wade against the lovable Hawks who pushed the Celtics to 7 last spring. Atlanta has plenty of things you like: young, Joe Johnson is a legit go-to-guy at the end of games. If all things are equal, Atlanta beats Miami. Unfortunately for them, when Dwyane Wade is healthy and dominant, things aren't equal. He is the best player in the series and you don't go against the best player without a REALLY, good reason. Add the fact that Wade draws fouls when he's breathed on wrong, I see Heat in 7.

Western 1st Round

#1 L.A. Lakers vs #8 Utah- The only series in the West that you're pretty sure of the result. The Jazz are however, the last team the Lakers should be playing in the 1st round. The concede the PG advantage to Deron Williams, the coaching matchup is a push and the Jazz have a bench. Plus, they have a better home-court than either NO or Dal. If the Lakers had played Dallas or New Orleans, they beat them in at most five games. I think the Lakers win in 6 as Utah will steal a couple in Salt Lake City.

#2 Denver vs #7 New Orleans- Where I don't see the Hornets able to beat the Lakers in the 1st round, I certain think they will be in this series against the Nuggets. The good thing for the Hornets is that Tyson Chandler is starting to get healthier and might be a factor in this series. Of course, they have Chris Paul and they have an underrated roster, with James Posey, David West, etc. As for Denver, they rode their way to the 2nd seed behind Chauncey Billups stabilizing this team and giving Carmelo Anthony a legit chance to exit the 1st round. They also have many people who think they aren't a real contender in the West. If Chandler isn't healthy in this series, Denver will win. I think Chandler will be effective enough and last year's playoff run helps CP3 and the Hornets win in 6.

#3 San Antonio vs #6 Dallas- All year, the Mavs have been in my eyes the only one and done team in the West playoffs. All of a sudden they get the 6th seed and will get to play a Manu-less San Antonio team. The Spurs were on my short list back on April Fools Day, but the loss of Ginobili knocks them out of any title hunt. As for this series, the Spurs you would think should have no trouble with the Mavs, but remember, Dallas is playing their best basketball right now, they split the series with the Spurs and beat them in a Game 7 in San Antonio back in 2006, when Dirk Nowitzki had his greatest game. Unless Tim Duncan averages 25-15 in this series, Tony Parker could average 30 and the Mavs still win in 7.

#4 Portland vs #5 Houston- As good as the Mavs finished, the Rockets gave up home-court in that final game loss to them and now have to go on the road to take on a very good Trail Blazers team. The Blazers when they had the chance to win home-court crushed the Nuggets and are everyone's sleeper. What's not to love, Brandon Roy is going to be the next superstar in this league, they have depth everywhere and are young to boot. They will be fighting the Lakers every year pretty soon. As for the Rockets, they are in the same boat as Denver, needing to win a series. Houston can get a game early using the experience they have, but in the end, Roy's the best player and the Blazers win in 7.


Based on these picks, you would have Cavs-Heat, which would be interesting to see how many games Wade can take; Celts-Magic, where we find out if the Magic are for real and if the Pierce and Allen can carry the C's. The West would have Hornets-Mavs, where we find out if the Mavs can handle Paul or if the Hornets blow them out again and Lakers-Blazers, which could be the Lakers toughest series. Eventually, it will be Lakers-Cavs in the NBA Finals and I think the Cavs win in 6 and King James gets his crown.