Bleacher Report - Articles by Jason stubbs

NBA Finals: Kobe Bryant and Co. vs. Celtics' Big Three

Jason stubbs — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:20:08 -0400

You wanted a Boston-L.A. final? You got it.

Who would've thought these two teams would match up against each other in the finals after last season's finish. The Lakers had yet another first-round exit, bringing about trade talk regarding an already frustrated Kobe Bryant, and the Celtics' hopes dropped as they lost the draft lottery to Portland.

But then, both teams made historic trades, as the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol, while Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce in Boston.

As these two teams ready themselves for the NBA finals, the struggles of the Celtics throughout the playoffs is a cause of major concern for many. Meanwhile, the Lakers have breezed through the playoffs without a home loss, as MVP Kobe Bryant looks as unstoppable as ever.

But still, I believe that the Celtics will be this year's NBA Champions. None of Boston's "Big Three" have even played in the NBA Finals before, so they should prove to be a hungry bunch of leaders.

With this in mind, they are going to be more motivated than ever, playing every game as if it were their last. Remember how excited Boston was to start the season and show everyone how good they were? They played every single game like it was their last, blowing everyone out and sprinting to an NBA-best 20-2.

This is how they are going to start the finals. And with Ray Allen refocused and out of his shooting slump, Boston has the best triple-threat in the game. The Celtics are simply unstoppable when they have this going, along with their supporting cast.

This is the Big Three's time...This is Boston's time....The Boston Celtics will be the NBA Champions of 2008!!!

Where "T-Mac Can't Advance Happens"...Until Now

Jason stubbs — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:41:11 -0400

With game 6 approaching, don't count the Rockets out of the series. Yes, they are definitely missing Yao, but they do have enough to take care of the Jazz. I believe in T-mac. So many have counted him and his team out during this series, but they are poised to make a statement in game 6 and take the series in 7. Don't forget....this is the same team that won 22 straight against legitimate contenders from around the league. People talk about him being washed up and not being a leader, yet it's not his fault for his team's faulty performance in the playoffs. In the deciding game 7 last year, he almost had a triple double. He was getting his teammates involved, grabbing boards and had 29 points. What more do you want out of a leader? The keys to game 6 and 7 are going to be his teammates. Whenever T-Mac has the ball, you can easily see that the whole Jazz team is focused on him. It's as if he's playing 5 on 1 when he has the ball. People complain about him not being clutch, but how can he shoot when guarded by an entire team. His teammates must step up and they're going to. I have faith in them just as T-Mac has shown to have faith in them, and with the addition of Rafer Alston after game 2, the tide has shifted. This is the year Tracy McGrady advances out of the first round and leads his Rockets to a second round matchup with the Lakers. Go Get Em T-Mac!!!!!

So Long Phoenix and Dallas...Shaq Retire and Trade Everybody!!!!!

Jason stubbs — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:18:56 -0400

So what's next for the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks?

The moral of the story here people is that late season trades do not work out. They may help you win some games, or maybe even a series, but don't count on doing anymore than that.

I bet Mark Cuban is kicking himself right now.

The Mavs are doing no better now with Jason Kidd then when they had Devin Harris, and at least Devin could shoot.

The Suns, on the other hand, traded for Shaq and picked up a player who could I guess, diversify their offense, yet also someone who opposing teams could do the hack-a-Shaq too.

I guess you have to give to get.

The funny thing is that with all of the pieces to the puzzle in order, the Suns still lose 4-1.

Both teams should dismantle their entire rosters with the Suns also firing Mike D'Antoni. He has yet to get them over the hump, and has been their for years.

With the addition of Shaq and a resulting playoff loss, it's time for Phoenix to move on.

The Mavericks should also do the same. Getting Jason Kidd was not the solution to their problems. They need a roster that plays with heart.

I just loved seeing when they actually beat the Hornets at home and were jumping up and down, raising fists and pointing all in the crowd. They actually thought they were doing something. Then the next game, New Orleans took care of business and closed out the series...Don't you just love how that works.

What happened to all that playoff experience guys?..Cmon Dallas. Half of the Hornets roster haven't even played in the playoffs before, let alone won a series.

Anyway, Dirk needs to go, along with Josh Howard and Jason Terry, and especially Stackhouse. These guys, like the Suns roster, have been together for a while and it is just not working. Trade them all and start afresh.

Oh and Mark Cuban, just forfeit your ownership.

So Long Phoenix!...The Best in the West Are Ready for Another Title Run!

Jason stubbs — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:52:04 -0400

So much for the Phoenix Suns making history as the first team in NBA history to win a series after facing a 3-0 deficit.

For all of you believers out there, did you really think that they would make history? After all, they clearly have a better team, of individuals. Unfortunately for them, basketball is a team game and the better team won the series.

The point of this article is that late season trades never really pan out. They might help you win a game or two in the playoffs, or maybe even a series, but in the end, you're going to lose!

Just ask Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks. I bet Mark Cuban is kicking himself right now. But enough about Dallas, that belongs in another post.

Tony Parker...What can I say? Is he that good or is the Phoenix Suns defense that bad? Personally, I believe it's a combination of both.

I don't understand why people get so annoyed about "hack-a-shaq" and claim that it's not basketball. If I played against him, I'd foul him too. He's been in the NBA 15+ plus years and hasn't improved his free throw percentage. You want people to stop fouling you? Learn how to shoot free throws.

Tony Parker is looking like the second best guard in the league right now, next to CP3. I personally thought Tim Duncan was getting old, but he proved me wrong. It seems as if he's hit his peak post-season wise and is playing his best basketball of his career.

I am looking forward to the Spurs vs. Lakers matchup, but look out for CP3 vs. Tony Parker in the next series. It's not going to be a cake walk against the Hornets as they have proved they can win against anyone in the league. It should be a fun series to watch.

UCLA: The Time Is Now

Jason stubbs — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:21:13 -0400

The headline for Saturday's game will probably be the matchup between UCLA and the Memphis Tigers. Both teams are studs in their respective conferences question marks still loom. The Tigers are no doubt the most athletic and the team with the most potential in the entire tournament, but can this surpass UCLA's experience of being in this position for third straight year. Not only are they are experienced, but it seems they have all the pieces to puzzle. They have pretty good depth, one of the best backcourts in the nation with Collison, Westbrook and Ship, and All-American with Kevin Love. The Bruins have both the inside and outside presence which is a rarity in college basketball and is what makes them so difficult to deal with. With them, the only question mark that looms is in Josh Ships' performance. He's been completely off the radar ever since the start of the tournament and still remains a question mark coming into this game. But even with that, I still like the UCLA's chances. Memphis is the more athletic and has more team potential, and if I was predicting a team to win next year, it would be them. Unfortunately for them, we're in the now, and in the now, it's just not their time. Like UCLA, they play great Defense and are great at imposing their tempo and style of play on opposing teams. What will make them unsuccessful at their attempts to dictate the style of play during the Final Four match-up will be again, UCLA's experience and leadership of Collison and Kevin Love. UCLA played in one of the toughest conferences if not the toughest, in the PAC-10, and they fear no one. They were my pre-season pick to win the national championship and I'm sticking with them. This is UCLA's time.