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NBA Playoff Matchups in the East

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:02:32 +0000

Cleveland has secured the top spot in the East for quite some time. As for the rest, here they are.

The matchups in the East for the 2010 NBA playoffs are finally… um… finalized and while the Cleveland Cavaliers have secured the top playoff spot in the conference a few weeks ago, the remaining few seeds were not determined until the final few days of the season.

As it turned out, the no.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers will be taking on the no.8 seed Chicago Bulls, who secured the last playoff spot in the East after beating the playoff-pound Charlotte Bobcats, hence denying the Toronto Raptors of postseason play for the second straight year.

Kudos to coach Vinny Del Negro and the rest of the Chicago Bulls for overcoming a late-season injury to Joakim Noah and the publicized rift between coach Del Negro and team manager John Paxson. Congratulations guys, you’re in the playoffs.

Your reward? LeBron James. (I don’t know if the Bulls would still be happy about that in a few days…)

The Orlando Magic will be this year’s no.2 seed as they look to make a return to the NBA Finals when they take on no.7 seed, Charlotte Bobcats. Thanks to some key additions to the Magic roster, more specifically the addition of Vince Carter, the Magic have become an even bigger threat in the East.

And since the Magic will have the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that will be making their very first appearance in the playoffs, there should be no problem for Orlando to get past the first round. Who do the Bobcats have to guard Dwight Howard anyway?

Probably the most surprising team in the East this season is the Atlanta Hawks, who have secured the no.3 seed in the East this season. Yup, those high-flying Hawks are now one of the East’s three kings, supplanting the Celtics in the food chain to join the Cavs and the Magic.

They have the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round...

LeBron James officially switches to no.6

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:02:33 +0000

LeBron James finally got what he wanted.

Once were done with the 2010 NBA basketball season, LeBron James will be wearing no.6 for his next campaign. That’s right, he finally made the bold decision of switching his jersey number from number 23 to number 6 official.

The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar just beat the deadline and is dead serious in honoring Michael Jordan. ”I’ve done it,” LeBron James said in an interview. ”I already sent it in. I’m going to be No. 6.” James first floated the idea in November, saying he wanted to switch from 23 out of respect for Jordan.

”I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” LeBron James said. ”There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.”

”He can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition, and I’ve got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.” he said.

James would wear 6, the number he wore while leading the U.S. to Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008. He has worn it in Cavs practices over the past two years. But it has other special qualities to him.

”My second-favorite player was Julius Erving, and he wore No. 6,” James said. ”I wore 32 in high school because Dr. J wore it at first. My first child was born on Oct. 6, it’s my Olympic number, my second child was born in June.”

The last big-name player to change numbers without changing teams was Kobe Bryant, who switched from 8 to 24 in 2006. Kobe’s new jersey quickly became the league’s top seller. I don’t see any reason why James’ new no.6 wouldn’t do the same.

Now, the question is, will he wear his...

James and Stoudemire in Cleveland?

Jeffdstuff — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:46:05 +0000

That could make the Cavs heavy favorites to win the title. If they are not already.

With the second half of the 2010 NBA basketball season underway, the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming in with the best record in the league at 43-11, riding a league – best 13-game winning streak heading to their date with the Denver Nuggets this Thursday.

With all kinds of momentum going for the Cleveland Cavaliers right now, it seems they are not satisfied just yet. Rumors are claiming that the Cavaliers are going after Amar’e Stoudemire. And if these guys manage to sign a talent like Stoudemire to complement the already formidable tandem of LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, you can just imagine what the Cavs can accomplish from here.

If the Cavs do trade for Amar’e Stoudemire, that would be their fourth major trade in two years. Yep, you read it, their FOURTH ONE.

Why have they been trading a lot the last few years? Well, they want to keep LeBron James in Cleveland and surrounding the hottest commodity in the league right now with all kinds of talent that might give this team its first championship in franchise history has been their top priority ever since they drafted James out of high school.

According to the rumors, the deal is on the table but both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns haven’t finalized anything yet. Although there are reports claiming that the deal is very close to being done, there are reports that say neither side is certain what will happen.

It’s probably because the Cavaliers can’t offer the best talent package the Suns are looking for, the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers can. However, what the Cavs can offer is for the Suns to get below the luxury tax, a move that could save the cash – strapped franchise around $10 million.

It would mean salary and tax savings plus...

Are the Knicks still going after LeBron?

Jeffdstuff — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:02:35 +0000

If so then I won't be surprised to see Braylon Edwards go bye-bye from the Jets.

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James called former Cleveland Browns receiver Braylon Edwards ”childish” for allegedly punching his friend, Edward Givens outside of a Cleveland night club.

Yes, you read it, Braylon Edwards found a way to attract all the media attention without doing anything substantial in the 2009 NFL football season. James said Edwards punched Givens, his friend and a promoter with a Cleveland marketing firm who was working outside the club.

Based on the official report, Givens accused an unidentified man of punching him in the face following an argument at approximately 2:30 a.m. Givens, who is listed as 5-foot-7, 135 pounds on the report, said the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Braylon Edwards hit him with a closed fist. Givens added that he suffered a black eye and cut and was later treated at a nearby hospital.

Browns coach Eric Mangini was aware of the alleged altercation and said he spoke with Edwards. ”Personal conduct is very important to me,” said Mangini, who has drawn criticism for fining players this season for breaking team rules.

”I always want our players to put themselves in the most positive positions. This is something I will continue to gather information on.”

Edwards, has been a major problem for the Cleveland Browns in the past. While recovering from a foot injury, he cut his heel running in his socks after practice. Last year, he was pulled over in his Bentley for driving 120 mph in a 65 mph zone.

He has dropped passes, criticized Cleveland’s play-calling, argued with teammates and famously took a helicopter to the Ohio State – Michigan game in 2006 despite being told not to go.

Edwards was also caught partying in March with...

Betting on East this 2009 NBA Season

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:26:18 +0000

It’s the East’s turn to have a champion.

I’m more of an East Coast kind of guy, I always find myself rooting for the East in All-Star Games and in the NBA Finals. Coming to the 2009 NBA basketball season, I have this theory that suggests this year is going to be the year of the East. Don’t believe me? Here’s why.

This somewhat weird theory of mine started in ‘04 when the Detroit Pistons won the title and shocked arguably the most talented Los Angeles Lakers team ever assembled with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant joined then by two other Hall of Famers, Karl Malone and Gary Payton. The Spurs won the title the following year only for the Eastern Conference to win it again when the Miami Heat won their first title in franchise history.

The following year, ONCE AGAIN (ho-hum…) the Spurs took it only for the East to take it back the following season when the Boston Celtics took the title in six games. In case you haven’t noticed it yet, the NBA championship has been alternating between the Eastern and Western conferences since ‘04 and since the Lakers won it last season, I bet it’ll be another team from the East that’ll be crowned champions come June.

Silly? Not quite. And since the Cleveland Cavaliers arguably made the biggest move of the offseason with the NBA title firmly in mind, this little theory of mine doesn’t sound too silly at all.

The Cavs learned winning 66 games in the regular season doesn’t mean a thing without a ring. LeBron James has a lot at stake this season with big Shaquille O’Neal in town.

Kobe won with Shaq. D-Wade won with Shaq. At 37, Shaq can still get it done 20 to 25 minutes a night. So with basically the same unit returning along with O’Neal, there’s no excuse for LeBron James not to win the championship this year. Fail and off to New York he goes.

So if the Cavaliers are your odds on favorite to...

Will we have the 2009-10 NBA Season?

Jeffdstuff — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:28:13 +0000

That'll just suck if you already have your fantasy teams ready.

The last time the NBA went through a lockout season, the San Antonio Spurs earned their first title in franchise history. And while the 2009 NBA basketball season is still a month away, they’re already talking about another strike.

The lead negotiator and spokesman for the NBA referees union said a lockout appears ”imminent and unavoidable” following the latest breakdown in talks.

Lamell McMorris said the officials made another $1 million in concessions in their proposal, but believes it’s evident the league is not interested in further discussions. The officials then headed home after spending the last 24 hours meeting in Chicago.

The contract between the NBA and its officials expired Sept. 1 and the sides have been trying to reach a new two-year deal. McMorris said they largely agree on salaries, but the union has balked at the league’s attempt to change retirement benefits.

Without a new deal, replacement officials will be used when preseason play opens Oct. 1. The NBA last began a season without its regular referees in 1995-96, when the caliber of officiating was roundly criticized.

”We’re prepared to be locked out by the NBA but also remain open to ongoing dialogue,” McMorris said, adding that negotiations have been difficult because the league ”has made pretty clear they have a goal they are trying to achieve as it relates to these long-term benefits.”

The NBA withheld comment...

LeBron James to get help from Shaq?

Jeffdstuff — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:58:03 +0000

The tipping point.

That is exactly where Shaquille O’Neal is at this point of his career. It seems it was only yesterday when he won three championship rings with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, since then, he moved on to win another one in Miami before failing to do the same in Phoenix.

Now that he’s stay in Arizona is about to expire, rumor has it that the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in having Shaq play alongside LeBron James. Sure, at 37 years old, Shaq won’t be able to lead ANY TEAM deep into the postseason, but with No.23? It might just work.

According to the rumors, the Cleveland Cavaliers are willing to trade Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic for Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal will be making $20 million next season in the final year of his contract while Wallace will make $14 million and Pavlovic $4.9 million with only $1.5 million guaranteed.

The salary exchange is close enough to make the trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns work.

Sure, the Suns are giving up a four-time NBA champion like Shaq but the fact of the matter is, the seven-footer is on the verge of retiring anyway and since they would end up saving $10 million in the deal, that will at least point them towards the right direction in rebuilding the franchise.

If Ben Wallace takes a buyout after he gets traded to Phoenix, the Suns would save even more money. Wallace has already hinted that he is contemplating on retirement after the Cavs, heavily favored to play for the NBA championship, lost to the Orlando Magic after six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

It is very unlikely for Wallace to postpone...

Can Cleveland beat Orlando in Game 5?

Jeffdstuff — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:11:19 +0000

The Cavs may have finally gotten the wakeup call they needed.

For the second time in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic outplayed the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning Game 3, 99-89 to take the 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

It seems it was only yesterday when the Cleveland Cavaliers were dominating people, marching on to the Conference Finals after sweeping the first two best of seven series wars placed in front of them.

Nobody, at least basketball fans from Cleveland anyway, thought that the Cavaliers will be down 2-1 after the first three games of the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Heck, they probably never anticipated that they’ll be down 2-1 to the Magic since they were probably anticipating a Cleveland - Boston match-up in the playoffs all season.

Yes, the Orlando Magic, after all their struggles in the first two rounds of the postseason, have simply been phenomenal against the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Imagine this, after stunning the Cavaliers in Cleveland, winning Game 1, 107-106, to steal homecourt, the Magic could’ve been easily up 3-0 if it wasn’t for that dramatic three-point shot LeBron James made at the buzzer in Game 2. After winning Game 3 by a handful, 99-89, the Magic now has this series under control and the Cavaliers, on the ropes.

So what does Cleveland have to do to tie this series at two games apiece? Easy. The Cavs need to match Orlando’s physicality. If they don’t, they might see Mo Williams busted open again.

Or worse, they might see their chances of...

Can Cleveland beat Orlando in Game 2?

Jeffdstuff — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:06:31 +0000

The Cavaliers finally lost one.

In what has been a stunning display of domination by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, they finally lost their first playoff game, losing 107-106 to the no.3 seed Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

It was probably one of the most improbable of wins. If you haven’t been watching these playoffs lately, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been so dominant that they were already a shoo-in for the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Finals as early as the first round.

After sweeping the first two rounds of the playoffs, sweeping both the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers had more than enough time to prepare for whichever team will come out of the East to challenge them. When the Orlando Magic officially dethroned the Boston Celtics in seven games, the Cavaliers were clearly not ready for them just yet.

When a team had THAT much time away from the court like the Cleveland Cavaliers did, the last thing you want when you get back on the floor are delays that can get you out of your rhythm. When the Orlando Magic took the floor of the Quicken Loans Arena, Dwight Howard showed just how good he really is, THAT and he kept the Cavaliers off their rhythm. All that in the opening minutes of Game 1.

Thanks to Dwight Howard ferociously slamming the ball down early in the first quarter, the 24-second shot clock above the rim was knocked off and the game had to be stopped for at least eight minutes.

Those precious eight minutes probably took any semblance of a rhythm LeBron James and his Cavaliers had early in Game 1.

The Cavaliers did build a 15-point lead at halftime but since Orlando was MAGIC, that 15-point lead MAGICALLY disappeared as Orlando was able to overcome LeBron James’ 49-point night to take the early 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Game 2 is scheduled this Friday still in...

Orlando’s Odds of beating Cleveland

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:57:55 +0000

Can Orlando beat Cleveland?

As the 2009 NBA Playoffs get more interesting each day, online sportsbooks like SPORTSBETTING.COM has already wondered on some future matchups and has even posted some prospective betting odds for it even before the final four teams were determined.

But since we already know that it'll be the Cleveland cavaliers going up against the Orlando Magic in the East while the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets in the West, it's time for you to make your picks and earn a lot of cash already.

The Orlando Magic are only a 6.5-point underdog in their series opener vs. the Cavaliers. While the odds suggest the Magic have a better shot matching up against Lebron and his crew, bettors still like Cleveland to cover the number, as 76 percent of all the early action has come in on Cleveland.

These betting options are live right now at SPORTSBETTING.COM with their new ‘’Prospective Betting'’ thing. In fact, every possible playoff matchup through to the final game of the season is up on the board and open for betting.

Looking even further down the playoff road, bettors have been focused on the NBA Finals and in particular, the Los Angeles Lakers matching up against, you guessed it, LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. Steady betting action has been coming in on the ‘’prospective'’ line for Game 1. That line has the Cavaliers favored by 4.5 points. The betting action is tilted 70 percent to the home side.

However, bettors have targeted the Los Angeles Lakers as a strong play in Game 3 of this ‘’prospective'’ series. This would be the Lakers’ first game back home at the Staples Center and if they are coming back down 2-0, or even split at 1-1. It looks like the bettors feel this is a good spot for Kobe Bryant and the team to have a big night, buoyed by the home town fans.

The line for Game 3 of the NBA Finals is LA -5. The Lakers are receiving 74 percent of the betting action.

Wagering on the Cavaliers against the Magic has been...