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How Derrick Rose’s injury ultimately impacted the NBA playoffs

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Now that Miami has clinched the NBA Finals with a decisive Game 5 victory, we can most accurately assess what impact Derrick Rose’s knee injury may have had in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.  Think back nearly two months ago, when Chicago (50-16) was the NBA’s top seed—holding the tiebreaker over San Antonio thanks to a head-to-head victory—with its star point guard seemingly back at … [Read more...] about How Derrick Rose’s injury ultimately impacted the NBA playoffs

NBA Finals: Lack of execution late leaves Thunder in 3-1 hole vs. Heat

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With the game once again knotted up late in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City choked. Despite the league’s best player—the only guy who has shown the ability to slow down Kevin Durant, by the way—checking in and out of play with a leg cramp, the Thunder failed to execute on both ends of the floor, falling into a 3-1 hole in the NBA Finals with a third consecutive … [Read more...] about NBA Finals: Lack of execution late leaves Thunder in 3-1 hole vs. Heat

The Selfishness of Miami’s Chris Bosh

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As pumped about Game 1 as I was, I was more excited for Game 2. I was happy that the Oklahoma City Thunder won Game 1 and had a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead down to Miami for Game 3. Well, my excitement last all of three minutes. Before I knew it, Oklahoma City was down 16-2, then 18-2, then 25-8! At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder was down 27-15.  … [Read more...] about The Selfishness of Miami’s Chris Bosh

NBA Finals: My NBA Finals Christmas List

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With the NBA Finals tipping-off in a little over seven hours, I have made a list of 10 things that I am hoping to see from the Finals this year. I know making a list sounds silly and I probably won't get half of what I put on my list (happens to me every Christmas). But here is a short story: Two years ago, I made a Christmas list of 10 things, roughly, that I wanted. Some of … [Read more...] about NBA Finals: My NBA Finals Christmas List

Let the rivalry begin: Can Lebron-Durant compare to Bird-Magic?

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Since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach and Kevin Durant proved himself as the NBA’s most dangerous offensive weapon, we’ve wanted nothing more than the inevitable NBA Finals matchup pitting these two against each other.  Now that it’s finally here, don’t expect this to be a one-time confrontation.  In reality, this LeBron v. Durant championship showdown—a preview of … [Read more...] about Let the rivalry begin: Can Lebron-Durant compare to Bird-Magic?

NBA Finals: Heat v. Thunder Preview

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This season reminds me of the fireworks on the 4th of July. It starts off slow, with some big explosions here and there. Gradually it speeds up, a few more big explosions. About two-thirds of the way through, you start to big explosions, until the final salvo where they hit with 50, 75, or 100 fireworks going off in a span of one minute. This is the NBA's final salvo. And boy, … [Read more...] about NBA Finals: Heat v. Thunder Preview

Game 5 shockers in Conference Finals put Spurs, Heat on the brink

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Anybody who saw this coming, please raise your hand now.  Just raise it up.  Raise it up nice and high.  Anybody?  OK…I didn’t think so. With Oklahoma City winning in San Antonio Monday and Boston winning in Miami Tuesday, the NBA Playoffs have suddenly been flipped upside down.  After trailing 0-2 in their respective series, both the Thunder and the Celtics have done the … [Read more...] about Game 5 shockers in Conference Finals put Spurs, Heat on the brink

NBA Playoffs: Predicting LeBron James’ game tonight

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There is no denying the significance of tonight's Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in Miami. After winning the first two games of the series, the Heat dropped the next two and allowed Boston to bring it back to Boston, to either close the door on the Heat's season or stave-off elimination. Tonight's game will decide the situation. But know that LeBron James … [Read more...] about NBA Playoffs: Predicting LeBron James’ game tonight

NBA Playoffs: Kevin Durant is a “closer”

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I have said this many times and will continue to say it until people realize it: Kevin Durant is the best BASKETBALL player on this planet. Not only is he 6'10, long, and lanky, but he can score, rebound, take over and close games. There is a big difference between him and 3-time MVP LeBron James: Durant lives in the gym. There is no denying James' talent, but I am taking a … [Read more...] about NBA Playoffs: Kevin Durant is a “closer”