Wednesday, April 27, 2011

ESPN's Around the Horn watch

I watch more of this show than I should, as I only care about football and basketball. Don't mention baseball to me until the playoffs, and I'm not about to pretend I care about hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, etc. So it's to these guys' credit that I still watch 3-4 times a week.

The show hasn't missed a step since firing Jay Mariotti with a deep roster of old and young pros.

Of the older types, I like Bob Ryan, Bill Plaschke, Woody Paige and Jackie McMullan. As for the rest, I enjoy JA Adande, Michael Smith, Kevin Blackistone and Tim Cowlishaw.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Gordon Hayward is a stud

The rookie out of Butler scored 34 points in the Jazz's final game of the season. At least they didn't have a losing home record.

So between him and Favors, and two lotto picks this summer, things aren't looking so bad. This really isn't a good year for the Jazz to have a looming lockout. Coach Ty Corbin needs to be able to work with his staff, develop schemes, work the summer league, etc.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

My NBA Awards

MVP
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are co-MVPs. Kobe's having another great year but the support he's been getting from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom is invaluable. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are another great one-two punch out there. But...

Dwight Howard is a machine in Orlando, and Stan Van's rightfully pumping him up. Also, Dirk showed just how vulnerable his team is when he's not playing. But Derrick Rose has pushed the Bulls to be the best team in the East when his two best supporting players - Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah - each missed significant time.

1. Derrick Rose, Bulls
2. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
3. Dwight Howard, Magic

Coach of the Year
Jerry Sloan did a great job covering up a lot of holes. He retired when the Jazz were 31-23, and the subsequence collapse of the team showed just how valuable he was. Erik Spoelstra got things under control after a 9-8 start for the Heat. Doug Collins (76ers) and Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies) got their teams to the playoffs, when no one expected it. And of course, the boytoy Phil Jackson (Lakers) is keeping the most expensive team in the NBA afloat. But...

The Spurs have the best record in the NBA when they're supposed to be getting too old. Tim Duncan's older and slower maybe, but really, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are not that old. And Thibodeau's defensive schemes are really paying off. But when I look at the turmoil in Denver, the Melo drama, the mid-season trade, he successfully coached two turbulent rosters.

1. George Karl, Nuggets
2. Tom Thibodeau, Bulls
3. Gregg Popovich, Spurs

Rookie of the Year
There's zero - ZERO - question who the winner is.

1. Blake Griffin, Clippers
2. John Wall, Wizards
3. DeMarcus Cousins, Kings

Sixth Man of the Year
Let's face it. Odom starts on at least two-thirds of other rosters in the NBA.

1. Lamar Odom, Lakers
2. Jason Terry, Mavericks
3. CJ Miles, Jazz

Defensive Player of the Year
1. Dwight Howard, Magic
2. Joakim Noah, Bulls
3. Grant Hill, Suns

Most Improved Player of the Year
1. LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers
2. Kevin Love, Timberwolves
3. Derrick Rose, Bulls