Dwyane Wade Surprises Miami Teen as Her Prom Date



Warriors' Game 2 Win Shows They Can Win West

Klay Thompson put on a shooting clinic as he scored 34 points in the Warriors' Game 2 win over the Spurs. (Ronald Martinez)

In Game 2 of their second-round playoff series, the Golden State Warriors once again opened up a big lead. The San Antonio Spurs again rallied for second-half comeback. It would not be enough this time. Instead, the Warriors held on for a 100-91 victory on Wednesday night.

Klay Thompson's 34-point performance will stand out in the box score, but his backcourt counterpart was the one who sealed the deal tonight. Of course, Stephen Curry had 44 points in Game 1, but he was a non-factor as the Spurs went on their run and through the two overtime periods. Curry finished with only 22 points in Game 2, but he had the Warriors' final five points to hold off the Spurs.

Golden State's series-evening victory snapped the Warriors' 30-game losing streak in San Antonio, which dated back to February 14, 1997. Additionally, they won a road playoff game after the first round for the first time since 1991. The win isn't only big as the series heads to Oracle Arena. It is significant because I believe it shows that the Warriors are capable of winning a wide-open Western Conference and earning a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1976.

Here are five reasons why I believe the Warriors are capable of winning the Western Conference:

1. Mark Jackson is an innovative coach and an excellent motivator. Jackson has been preaching the message that his team has already overachieved expectations. He believes the pressure belongs on his opponents. Jackson is not afraid of defending his players, even if it means being fined by the league. The former point guard and commentator is well known as a great motivator. He will use the Game 1 collapse to push his young team.

2. Stephen Curry has emerged as a bona fide superstar. Curry loves the postseason spotlight. We all remember his March Madness heroics as the star of the Davidson Wildcats. He has shown that the NBA playoffs are his place to shine as well. While scoring is a huge part of his game, Curry has been contributing across the board. Entering tonight's Game 2, he was averaging 27.1 points, 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Curry's closing out Game 2 proved he is capable of leading his team to victory in the clutch as well.

3. Rather than fold when All-Star David Lee was lost for the remainder of the playoffs, the Warriors have had surprising contributions from across the board. As good as Curry has been in the playoffs, the Warriors have proved they are more than a one-man show. I have already made mention of how good Klay Thompson can be shooting the ball. He finished eight-for-nine tonight from beyond the arc and is always a danger to get it going from there. Rookie Harrison Barnes is averaging 15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a starter. Former top pick Andrew Bogut has seemingly discovered the Fountain of Youth. The Aussie is averaging 8.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Finally, Jarrett Jack has brought energy off the bench. In the conference semifinals against the Nuggets, he average 18.8 points, 7.0 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. As you can see, the Warriors are getting contributions from throughout their lineup.

4. The Warriors' high-tempo offense is surprisingly well-balanced and efficient. Everyone knows that the Warriors love to push the tempo and get the ball up the court in a hurry. They also think all they do is shoot the ball from three. That part simply is not true. The Warriors are very good from beyond the arc. During the regular season, they connected on a league-leading 40.3% of their three-pointers. Despite shooting at such a high percentage from deep, they’re surprisingly conservative and selective with it. In fact, only 23.9% of their shots were threes, which put them roughly middle of the pack across the league.

5. The Warriors may be known for their offense, but they have been getting it done of the defensive end as well. The exploits of the Warriors' offense are well-documented. Their discipline on the other side of the ball goes widely unnoticed. During tonight's Game 2 win, the Warriors held the Spurs to 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 23.8 percent from beyond the arc. This defensive discipline that the Warriors have been showing actually plays a significant role in their offense. Getting consistent defensive stops and rebounding allows the Warriors' offense to push the tempo.

I hope that you realize that this young Warriors team should not be overlooked. They are far more than a high-scoring offense led by Stephen Curry. Instead, they are a team that is fully capable of making a run at the NBA title. If you don't believe me, just ask the San Antonio Spurs think after two tough games at home.

Manimal Dominates BBVA Rising Stars Challenge

Kenneth Faried dominate BBVA Rising Stars Challenge with 40 points and 10 rebounds. (Nathaniel S. Butler)

Kenneth Faried has been overlooked the vast majority of his life. He played NCAA Division I basketball at Morehead State, a lesser-knock school in the state of Kentucky. Faried was undersized, didn't have great strength and lacked offensive effeciency. He used an incessant work ethic and his powerful leaping ability to break the NCAA's rebounding record.

The Denver Nuggets decided to take a chance on Faried late in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. He has not disappointed. Faried has overcome his size disadvantage at the power forward position with explosive play and his continual work ethic to improve. The Nuggets have reward him with the team's starting job, where he is averaging 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Since the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge is part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, little effort is usually shown by the players on the court. Faried didn't let that stop him from putting on a show. He finished with 40 points on 18-for-22 shooting and had 10 rebounds. The performance earned him the game's MVP honors.

"I came out with the intent to put on a performance," said Faried. "But I wasn't thinking MVP type of performance. I was just thinking about winning the game and enjoying myself. And pretty much enjoying the game I love to play."

Faried's style of play has earned him the nickname of the "Manimal." With his untamed hair and fanged teeth and the performance like this, he will not be overlooked in the NBA much longer. Faried will try and impress even more people when he make his encore performance in the NBA Dunk Contest on Saturday night.

Kobe Bryant Needs to Stop Making Excuses

Kobe Bryant says the Lakers are too old. I say he needs to stop making excuses and lead his team. (Andrew D. Bernstein)

The Philadelphia 76ers might not have the prestige names and honors that the Los Angeles Lakers players have had. However, the young 76ers stormed into the Staples Center and dominated the much older Lakers in a 103-99 victory on Tuesday night. The loss dropped the Lakers' record on the season to 15-16. After the game, Kobe Bryant had a colorful explanation.

"You just saw an old @#!*% team," Bryant continued. "I don't know how else to put it to you. We're just slow. You saw a team over there that was just younger and just had fresher legs and just played with more energy, and we were just stuck in the mud. I think individually we all have to figure out how to get ourselves ready each and every game to have a high level of energy. That's all that is."

Do you want to know what this boils down to? An excuse and to be quiet honest with you, a pathetic one at that. They are the fourth-oldest team in the NBA with an average age of 28.4. If this was their fourth game in five days or something, I would completely understand. However, the Lakers came into the home game against the 76ers on the three days rest.

If age is such a huge concern, how come I don't hear other teams and players complaining about? The New York Knicks are the oldest team in the NBA with an average age of 32.7. Rather than whining, the Knicks have been one of the league's surprise stories with a 21-10 record, good enough for the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference.

The Lakers’ next game is Friday against their crosstown rivals. The Clippers are the second-oldest team in the league with an average age of 29.3. All they've done recently is rattled off a streak of 17 straight wins. That is more wins than the Lakers have managed to get all season. No wonder more and more Lakers fans are becoming Clippers fans every day.

Bryant, 34, is supposedly the leader of the Lakers. Tim Duncan, 36, is the leader of the San Antonio Spurs, a team that is perennially called too old, but is always one of the best teams in the NBA every year. In tonight's win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Duncan scored 28 points (11-20 FG, 6-7 FT) to go with 13 rebounds, six assists, one steal and three blocks.

Duncan and the Spurs let their play do the talking, rather than their words. Bryant is so busy running his mouth and making excuses off the court that he isn't finding solutions on it. If he wants to be the leader on the court, than he needs to step up and make his teammates commit to working harder. Will the Lakers ever turn around this season? It will be when they start making the plays on the court, rather than complaining off of it.

2012 NBA Christmas Day Preview

James Harden singing Jingle Bells is just one of the joys of five NBA games on Christmas Day. (TotalProSports.com)

Christmas Day has almost arrived, which means a great day of NBA matchups will be on ABC and ESPN. I will preview what to watch for in each game. Merry Christmas to all!

Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets  - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN
The Celtics will travel to Brooklyn to take on the Nets in a budding Atlantic Division rivalry. The premier matchup of this game will be the point guards, Rajon Rondo of the Celtics and Deron Williams of the Nets. Rondo is averaging 14.3 points and 11.1 assists in December while shooting 52 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Williams is having a down year as he tries to find his role with his newly formed team. He is shooting just 40 percent from the field and 30 percent from behind the arc. Williams is still averaging 16.8 points and 8.1 assists a game. There's also a player on each team who is capable of taking the game over. The Celtics' Paul Pierce has been superb lately and is averaging 23.8 points per game in December. Joe Johnson has emerged as the go to guy for the Nets. He scored 22 points in their win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers - 3:00 PM EST, ABC
Both teams have been two of the NBA's biggest surprises. The Knicks have emerged as of the league's top teams behind great three-point shooting. The Lakers have struggled to come together as a team, but they will benefit from Steve Nash's return from injury. This game features some great matchups. The Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and the Lakers' Kobe Bryant are two of the league's top scorers. Anthony is scoring 33.7 points and shooting 50 percent from the field in his last 10 games. Meanwhile, Bryant is averaging 33.8 points per game since the start of December. Another intriguing matchup will be two of the league's top centers. Dwight Howard is in his first season with the Lakers, while Tyson Chandler anchors the Knicks' defense. Howard has struggled a bit recently, averaging just 15.1 points per game in his past five games. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler will look to shut him down.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat - 5:30 PM EST, ABC
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of any of the Christmas Day games, featuring a rematch of last season's NBA Finals. This is the first meeting between these two teams this season, and the Thunder will be looking for revenge. As if you couldn't figure it on your own, the premier matchup in this game is obviously the NBA's top two players Kevin Durant of the Thunder and LeBron James of the Heat. Durant is averaging 27.9 points and 8.4 rebounds this season, while James is putting up 25.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game. The defensive matchup between the two will be intriguing as well. They will most likely be guarding one another for the majority of the game. The Heat will have the home crowd at their back, but the Thunder experienced what that was like last summer.

Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls - 8:00 PM EST, ESPN
These two teams may not appear to be two of the NBA's top teams, but both have played surprisingly well given their circumstances. The Rockets weren't expected to compete for a spot in the playoffs at all. However, a preseason trade has changed everything. James Harden, the centerpiece of the trade with the Thunder, has averaged 25.6 points and 5.6 assists a game as a starter in Houston. He has emerged as one of the league's top shooting guards right now. Meanwhile, the Bulls have kept winning, even without one of the NBA's top players. A number of players have stepped up in Derrick Rose's absence. Joakim Noah is averaging 13.5 points and 10.6 seen rebounds while Luol Deng leads the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game. They have helped the Bulls remain competitive while they wait for their superstar to return.

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers - 10:30 PM EST, ESPN
The Clippers are one of the NBA's hottest teams right now. The Clippers' offense is led by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Paul runs the show with 16.1 points and 9.6 assists per game. In the post, Griffin is averaging 18.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. The Clippers also have an elite defense that allows opponents to score just 91.6 points per game, which is fourth best in the NBA. The Nuggets are one of the most balanced teams in the league. Ty Lawson is one of the fastest players in the NBA and pushes the tempo of the offense. He loves to facilitate the ball to his teammates, such as Danilo Gallinari, Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer. Lawson did strain his left Achilles in Sunday's game and is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game. If he is indeed out or not 100 percent, it would be a huge blow to the Nuggets' chances.

What to Watch for in the Battle of the Boroughs III

Joe Johnson has begun to emerge as the star the Brooklyn Nets need him to be. (John Minchillo)

Basketball in the Big Apple has a new rivalry on its hands with the Nets move to Brooklyn. The first installment saw new boys on the block win in overtime. The Knicks took the second behind Carmelo Anthony's 45-point effort. Round Three tips off in less than 30 minutes. If you love basketball, then turn your television on to ESPN. I've got five storylines for you to watch as the game unfolds in Madison Square Garden.

1. Carmelo Anthony is a game-time decision for tonight's game. Anthony has missed the past two games because of continued pain in his sprained left ankle. The Knicks star is taking a cautious approach with his ankle and made it sound as though he's leaning toward sitting out against the Nets. "Of course I want to play," he said Tuesday. "But if I'm not able to go out there and be the player I can be and help my team, then I'm not going to step foot on the court." Reports say that Anthony did run lightly on Tuesday and said afterward that his ankle is still sore and "badly bruised."

2. The matchup of centers Brook Lopez and Tyson Chandler will play a decisive role in the outcome of the game. Lopez has been the leading scorer for Brooklyn, averaging almost 18 a game. Chandler is averaging almost 13 points a game and is the focal point of the Knicks' defense. The Nets will try to get Lopez involved as much as possible and try to get Chandler into foul trouble. If they are able to, they'll have a significant edge against the Knicks' less-talented big men coming off the bench. Chandler will have to play smart and not let his emotions get the better of him.

3. Jason Kidd is the x-factor for the Knicks. Kidd was the hero of the Knicks' last game against the Nets and has been the team's leader all season. Despite being 39 years old, he has played a crucial role in the Knick's surprising start. Through 20 games, Kidd is averaging 8.7 points and 1.8 steals per contest, while shooting an amazing 47 percent from three-point range. Apart from sinking the game-winning shot in the Knicks' last win over the Nets, he also had 18 points, six rebounds and six assists in that game.

4. Joe Johnson is starting to find his role with the Nets. Johnson struggled early in the season to find his place with his new team, but he is starting to find his groove as of late. Over his past five games, he has averaged 20.8 points on 49.4% shooting from the field. Johnson also sunk his first game-winner as a member of the Nets in a double-overtime win over the Detroit Pistons last Friday night before a home crowd at the Barclays Center. The team is starting to believe in him as well. "We were going to give him the ball and ride his back,” said head coach Avery Johnson.

5. The Knicks' ability to make three-pointers could decide the outcome of the game. The Knicks live and die on the three. According to ESPN, "New York's 11.9 made 3-pointers per game and 29.5 attempts are the most by any team since the 3-point line was instituted in 1979-80." Even though it seems unlikely that they will keep that up the remainder of the season, it certainly has a significant impact on this game. Interestingly enough though, the Nets have been very good at defending the three. According to ESPN, "Brooklyn has allowed opponents to hit just 5.7 of their 3-pointers per game, the third-fewest in the NBA." The Nets will need to be just as good if they hope to slow done the Knicks' production from deep.

12 Best Athletes to Ever Wear No. 12

Quarterback Terry Bradshaw was a four-time Super Bowl champion wearing No. 12 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Fox Sports)

In honor of the date being 12/12/12, I thought it would be fitting to give tribute to the 12 best athletes to ever wear No. 12.

12. Bob Griese: Griese was a two-time All-American quarterback and kicker at Purdue. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1967 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Griese is famous for quarterbacking the Dolphins to their perfect 1972 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

11. Jarome Inginla: Iginla has spent the entirety of his 15-year career as a member of the Calgary Flames. Despite never bringing home the Stanley Cup, he has made himself a local legend. Inginla has scored 516 goals in his career, including 81 game-winning goals. He will be a lock for the Hall of Fame when ever he does decide to retire.

10. Dickie Moore: Moore was among the NHL's best shooters and puckhandlers of his time. As a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he led the NHL in goals and assists once time each. Moore played an important role on six championship teams, including five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956-60. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974.

9. Yvan Cournoyer: Cournoyer donned No. 12 for the Canadiens throughout his 17-year career after getting it from Moore. He finished his career with 428 goals and 435 assists. Cournoyer won the Stanley Cups 10 times, which is the second most in NHL history. He was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1982.

8. Thierry Henry: Henry is one of the best footballers of this generation. He was a member of the French national team that won the World Cup in 1998. Henry became an international star in the English Premier League as a top striker for Arsenal. During his career with The Gunners, he earned nearly every award the sport has to offer.

7. John Stockton: At point guard, Stockton led the Utah Jazz to 19 consecutive playoff appearances, but was never able to bring a NBA championship home. He led the league in assists for nine consecutive seasons. Stockton finished with a NBA record 15,806 assists, which is 3,800 more than the next closest player.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

6. Jim Kelly: Kelly is the only player in Buffalo Bills history to have his number retired. This honor is likely the result of leading the Bills to four consecutive losses in the Super Bowl. During his 11-year career, Kelly made 160 starts and threw 237 career touchdown passes. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

5. Roger Staubach: As a quarterback for Navy, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy in 1963. He then served his tour of duty in Vietnam. Staubach returned home to lead the Dallas Cowboys to their first two Super Bowl championships. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

4. Joe Namath: Namath is more of a legend because of his swagger, rather than his actual statistics. He guaranteed a win in Super Bowl III and delivered on his promise.  When Namath wasn't acting in movies and television commercials, he threw for 27,663 passing yards in his football career. Just like Staubach, he was a part of the 1985 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3. Tom Brady: Brady was a sixth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2000. He took over the starting job after Drew Bledsoe was injured in Week 2 of the 2001 season and led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title. Brady has thrown for 43,812 yards (nearly 25 miles) and 329 touchdowns. He is a two-time MVP and has won three Super Bowls.

2. Roberto Alomar: Regarded by many as the greatest second baseman of all time, Alomar was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and led the Toronto Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.  Alomar wore No. 12 for each of the eight teams he played for during his career. His 2,724 career hits and 1,1,34 RBIs led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2011.

1. Terry Bradshaw: Bradshaw didn't put up huge statistical numbers, but he knew how to lead his football team to victories. He finished his career with a 107-51 record and four Super Bowl rings. Bradshaw was named MVP of the NFL in 1978 and was also the Super Bowl MVP twice. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Honorable Mention: Michael Jordan
Jordan made the No. 23 famous, but was forced to wear No. 12 for one game in 1990. On Valentine’s Day in Orlando, he had his jersey stolen from the locker room prior to the game. Jordan scored 49 points in 47 minutes, but the Bulls lost in overtime 135-129.

"That has never happened to me before,'' Jordan told the Orlando Sentinel at the time. ''It's pretty irritating because you're accustomed to certain things and you don't like to have things misplaced.''

Jordan may have been frustrated, but my guess is that the fans in Orlando were more than happy. They got to witness history in the making, Jordan have another outstanding game and their team pull off a surprising victory.

Nuggets Sign Ty Lawson to Four-Year Extension

The Denver Nuggets have signed point guard Ty Lawson to a four-year, $48 million extension. (Chris Humphreys)

The Denver Nuggets had a busy offseason. They landed former All-Star Andre Iguodala in a four-team trade. Then, they signed JaVale McGee to a four-year, $44 million deal. On the eve of their regular season debut, the Nuggets knew they had one last piece of offseason business to take care of. That was to sign their young, budding point guard to a contract extension.

On Tuesday, they managed to do just that. Point guard Ty Lawson agreed to a four-year extension worth $48 million. This means that the Nuggets have McGee, Lawson and Italian small forward Danilo Gallinari locked up under contract for the next four years. Given what happens with the Iguodala experiment, he could be back as well if it is for the right price.

This is a solid core upon which one can build around, but the knew that Lawson is the crucial piece that holds all of the other ones together. Lawson had a career year last season when he averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 49 percent from the field and 37 percent from downtown.

Lawson led the Nuggets and their dynamic offense to the playoffs as the Western Conference's sixth seed. He was the catalyst for their league-leading scoring offense (104.1 points per game) that shot 47.6 percent from the field as a team (second best to the San Antonio Spurs).

As if that weren't enough, Lawson stepped up his game even more in the playoffs. In the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 19.0 points per game, 6.0 assists per game and shot 51 percent from the field. Even though the Nuggets lost the series in seven games, it was not for a lack of superb play by Lawson.

Last season was Lawson's first in complete control of the reins. The fact that he is still only 24 years old and in his fourth season in the NBA means that he might be a golden Nugget for many years to come. The Nuggets are now his team. The rest of the NBA just better hope they can keep up.

Analyzing the Dwight Howard Trade From All Angles

At a press conference Friday, Dwight Howard holds up his new jersey as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. (Kevork Djansezian)

When a blockbuster trade such as this occurs, it isn't just the teams involved who are affected. The whole league feels the repercussions. Just as with every action there is a reaction, every trade seems to have its winners and losers. With a trade this large, the winners and losers become more broad as well. I will focus on what I believe to be the teams that are most directly affected by this trade.

Winners

Los Angeles Lakers
Putting Dwight Howard's deficiencies aside, he is still the best center in the league. Whatever team has him is a better team from a talent standpoint. The Lakers have been trying to land him for a long time. They've come to realize that the combination of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in the paint simply wasn't good enough to bring them a championship. After sending offers with all sorts of combinations of players and picks, the Lakers ended up only having to give up Bynum and one first round pick for Howard. Any GM would give that up in their sleep. Combine this trade with their one for veteran point guard Steve Nash, and the Lakers have to become the favorite in the Western Conference. With a core four of Howard, Nash, Gasol, and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers are going to be tough to beat on any given night. Resigning Howard long-term could turn into another media circus, but the Lakers will worry about that next offseason.

Philadelphia 76ers
Without giving up the best player in the deal, the 76ers were the beneficiaries of receiving the second-best player, Andrew Bynum. Bynum is a 7-footer who averaged nearly 19 points and 12 rebounds per game last season. Those type of players don't become available very often, especially one as young as Bynum. In return, the 76ers did trade away their best player, Andre Iguodala, and their two most recent first round picks, Nikola Vucevic and Moe Harkless. The team's relationship with Iguodala wasn't the best, and while Vucevic and Harkless do show promise, neither one is expected to blossom into stars nearly as talented as Bynum. The big question for the 76ers as well is whether they can re-sign Bynum long term. Since he grew up not too far from Philadelphia, there is certainly a chance. Even if they are unable to resign him, they will have freed up enough cap room to sign a top free agent or two.

Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were able to acquire Andre Iguodala from the 76ers as part of this trade. Iguodala will pair beautifully with Danilo Gallinari to give them a dangerous duo at the wing. Iggy won't have the pressure on him to score like he did with the 76ers. He will be able to focus on playing tenacious defense and let that lead to fastbreak offense. The Nuggets did give up guard Aaron Afflalo and veteran big man Al Harrington, but that combination doesn't come close to comparing to Iguodala. Additionally, the Nuggets will reportedly save approximately $23 million in future money as a result of the trade. This means that the Nuggets were able to become a better team and save a considerable amount of money down the road. That shows they are a winner if you ask me.

Losers

Orlando Magic
You know I didn't think that anyone could handle this situation worse than Dwight Howard, but the Magic themselves found a way. In July, the Magic were fielding some great offers. The Brooklyn Nets offered Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, and four first round picks. The Rockets offered roughly $12 million in salary-cap relief and a better package of picks. The Lakers even offered Bynum and Gasol combined with picks. No, the Magic turned all those down to settle for this in August. You have got to be kidding me. The Magic are getting the combination of Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, three lottery-protected first round (five overall) picks. There's a lot there so there's a chance that someone could turn out to be a star, but there isn't anyone there right now. The Magic turned down a bunch of better offers only to accept this assortment of unknowns. I am disappointed for the franchise and their fans.

Small Market Franchises
All around the league, there are small market front offices shaking their heads at this trade. As the old mantra goes, the rich gets richer. That's what happened again here. While many franchises hope to have just one superstar player, the Lakers now have four. While the new CBA does discourage signing many stars like the Lakers have done, it doesn't stop them from doing so. Even though it is true that the small market teams below the tax will benefit from the Lakers' penalties, it won't help them to get any closer to a championship themselves. This trade only hinders these small market franchises even further.

Western Conference Contenders
Just in case the road to the NBA finals wasn't difficult enough last season, the Lakers are now absolutely stocked and reloaded. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks now have to adjust their lineups to be able to matchup with the new Lakers lineup. Each of these teams and any team in the Western Conference are going have to work even harder in order to make it to the NBA Finals.

New York Knicks Allow Linsanity to Join the Houston Rockets

Jeremy Lin had a magical run in New York City with the Knicks, but now he must take his act to Houston to play for the Rockets. (Jim McIsaac)

Unless you were living under a rock (literally or metaphorically) last February, you more than likely know the incredible rise of Jeremy Lin to international acclaim. Nevertheless, the legendary tale is worthy recounting. The New York Knicks were mired in a rut of frankly terrible basketball. One of the major issues was they were lacking a true leader at starting point guard. Due to injuries and other issues, the Knicks were struggling to find anyone to play the position. At the end of the bench, they spotted a long forgotten kid from Harvard, named Jeremy Lin. Lin had gone undrafted, been cut by two teams during the preseason, and played in the NBA's D-League, before filling out the end of the Knicks' roster.

In February, the Knicks finally decided to give Lin a chance. All he did was lead the Knicks to seven consecutive wins. In nine of his first ten games, Lin scored at least 20 points. He started 25 of his 35 games with the Knicks, while averaging 14.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Sadly, Lin's phenomenal season was ended prematurely because of his need for knee surgery.

This summer, Lin became a restricted free agent. This meant that while Lin could sign an offer sheet with any team, the Knicks had the right to match it and accordingly keep Lin. As Lin explored options, so did the Knicks. They convinced veteran Jason Kidd to come aboard in a backup point guard facility. Meanwhile, Lin signed a three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet with the Houston Rockets. This left the decision as to whether or not to match and re-sign Lin up to the Knicks.

The dilemma the Knicks faced was that the contract offered from the Rockets included a $14.9 million balloon payment for the third year. If they signed Lin, it would cost them another $35 million or more in luxury-tax penalties. The decision came down to whether or not the man in charge, Jim Dolan, was willing to pay the additional money. As it turns out, he was unwilling. Instead, he decided to do a sign-and-trade for another veteran point guard, Raymond Felton. Dolan also declined the option of signing Lin and trading him to the Rockets for something in return.

In my humble opinion, Dolan simply made the worse possible decision for his franchise. The Knicks supporters had already suffered from many of the rash decisions his regime had made. Long mired in mediocrity and continued failure, Lin awoke a stagnate and unhappy fan base. He energized them and gave them someone to hope and believe in. So when Dolan is given the chance to re-sign Lin, what does he do? He simply allows him to walk, while getting nothing in return.

Way to alienate your fan base even more, Mr. Dolan. You should reward yourself with a nice, big bonus. Every move the man makes seems to turn out as a complete flop. The one thing that turned out beautifully, he lets go. All because he doesn't want his franchise to have to pay the additional money out of pocket. Jeremy Lin's historic rise from unknown commodity to international sensation is unprecedented. He has become one of the most popular athletes in the world. I guess all that wasn't enough to earn him a second year in New York.

Twitter, blogs, and more are ablaze with the frustration and harsh criticism of Knicks' fans. Many have stated that they have switched their allegiance to supporting the newly relocated Brooklyn Nets. Normally, I would say that you should support your team no matter the circumstances, but I understand where these fans are coming from. Jim Dolan has time and time again hindered the success and growth of this franchise. As long as he remains in control, I would not dare to wish the fate of being a Knicks fan on even my worst of enemies.

Brooklyn Nets Rally Ignites Fans and City

Joe Johnson (left) and Deron Williams (right) were introduced as "Brooklyn's Backcourt" to fans and media present at the rally. (AP Photo) 

The Brooklyn Nets are new to life in New York City. So they planned a rally on the steps of Brooklyn's Borough Hall. They hoped to get their mission across and to introduce some of their new top players. The Nets did exactly that Friday.

The rally began with a remix of M.O.P.'s "Ante Up," which stated, "Respect mine, we Brooklyn-bound" and included play-by play calls about the Nets' new dynamic duo, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams. General Manager Billy King and Head Coach Avery Johnson tried to address the focus of the franchise and answer questions about the future of the team.

One of the obvious highlights of the rally was the introduction of Johnson and Williams. Both can shoot, pass, and defend the ball quite well. Either one is capable of taking over a game and scoring 30 or more points. Referred to as "Brooklyn's Backcourt," many claimed during the rally that the duo is the best the NBA has to offer.

The Nets have also signed Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace, Mirza Teletovic, and Reggie Evans. This definitely gives the team some of the pieces to become a playoff team. There's still a need for some important back ups, but they are well on their way to postseason success. The Nets have put the disappointment of not being able to trade for Dwight Howard behind them for now. There is a possibility of their renewing talks in January if Howard is still available. But for now, the Nets will proceed accordingly.

Lastly, the Brooklyn Nets got some jabs in against new crosstown rival, the New York Knicks. Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn borough president, announced to the crowd, "For nearly 40 years, the Manhattan Knicks have shown that they can't bring the championship home to New York City. So it's going to take the Brooklyn Nets to get the job done." While that may still be something to be accomplished in the more distant future, it gives their new fans and followers something to look forward to. The Brooklyn Nets are in a new home and beginning to look like a brand new franchise. That's certainly something worthy of celebrating.

Eric Gordon Signs Maximum Offer Sheet With Suns

Eric Gordon celebrates his game-winning three-pointer against the Phoenix Suns, the team he now could be playing for next. (AP Photo)

The New Orleans Hornets had planned on rebuilding their franchise around guard Eric Gordon. After all, he was the prize possession of their trade that sent their last franchise player, Chris Paul, to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 23-year-old Gordon was supposed to be their cornerstone to which they could add young talent, such as recent top ten picks Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers. But all of these plans hinged on re-signing Gordon, who became a restricted free agent this summer.

While exploring his options, Gordon began to have talks with the Phoenix Suns. The more the talks wore on, the more Gordon liked the franchise. This evening, Gordon surprised many people by signing a maximum-salary contract worth $58 millions dollars over four years with the Suns. In his statement about the signing, Gordon concluded by stating, "I strongly feel they (the Suns) are the right franchise for me. Phoenix is just where my heart is now."

Since Gordon is a restricted free agent, the Hornets do have the option to match the Suns contract offer. They are fully expected to do so, but now the franchise is in a precarious position. Their franchise player has clearly expressed the desire to play elsewhere. They have the option to disregard this completely. But they have to remember what happened with Chris Paul. If Gordon truly won't be content in New Orleans, the Hornets may explore the option of a sign-and-trade with the Suns or another franchise.

It is somewhat ironic that the two teams involved are the Hornets and Suns. Gordon's greatest moment as a Hornet came in Phoenix when he buried a three-pointer with 4.4 seconds left to beat the Suns 86-85 on December 26, 2011. The Suns clearly recognize the potential Gordon has. He could be a great fit to fill the void that will likely be left by free agent Steve Nash. Meanwhile, the Hornets need to talk to Gordon and determine where things stand. As much as they would love to have Gordon as their franchise player, they might need to begin looking into a Plan B.

Nets Acquire Johnson in Hopes of Getting Williams to Return

The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade Joe Johnson and his $89.3 million contract to the Brooklyn Nets. (Getty Images)

With the current roster they had, the Brooklyn Nets knew that they need to acquire a big name player to help convince free agent Deron Williams to return to the Nets, rather than the Dallas Mavericks. They took the first step by re-signing defensive-minded small forward Gerald Wallace to a four-year, $40 million deal. After failing to come to an agreement with the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard, the Nets moved northwest and found one of the biggest men available, Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks. Johnson was considered by many to be unmovable due to his enormous contract. His contract still owes him $89.3 million over the next four seasons. However, the Nets had the cap room and knew Johnson was the type of player they were looking for.

With the trade in place, the Atlanta Hawks are officially in rebuilding mode. It took new general manager Danny Ferry just one week on the job to transform the Hawks from a stagnate franchise to one thrust full force into rebuilding mode. While the team's fans might be initially disappointed, they have to realize it is the best move for the future. In return for Johnson, the Hawks receive the expiring contracts of Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Jordan Williams, and DeShawn Stevenson. They also receive the Houston Rockets' lottery-protected first-round pick in 2013.

In a separate trade, the Atlanta Hawks sent Marvin Williams to the Utah Jazz in return for point guard Devin Harris. Williams never developed into the player everyone thought he would in Atlanta. Harris is a good value to receive in return. Both trades give the Hawks the needed cap room to rebuild. They also still have two of their best players, Josh Smith and Al Horford. The Hawks still have the option to trade either one or both of them. If they choose to move neither, the duo provides a core in which to rebuild around.

As I have already mentioned, the Nets will receive Joe Johnson. Johnson has declined over the last couple seasons, so they hope that a move will revive his career. This trade, of course, is in hopes of convincing Deron Williams to return to the Nets. Williams is currently mulling over decision to return to the Nets or to join the Mavericks. The Nets are offering Williams the maximum five-year, $100 million deal. That is one year and $25 million more than what the Mavericks can offer. The Mavericks will try to sell Williams on the fact that he can join Dirk Nowitzki in a quest to win another NBA title. The Nets will counter with the allure of playing in Brooklyn and beside Joe Johnson. Deron Williams has a tough decision to make to be sure.

Besides resigning Williams, the Nets will also focus on re-signing their other top free agents, Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and Gerald Green. Each are expected to rejoin the team, especially if Williams re-signs. Also on the Nets' radar is Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic. Teletovic played last season in Spain, but is now looking to make the move to the NBA. He has the same agent as Williams and could be nice fit next season in Brooklyn. Regardless of Deron Williams' decision, the Nets are headed in a new direction, and it's much more than just their geographical move to Brooklyn.

2012 NBA Draft Winners and Losers

Harrison Barnes could be the potential star of what is a solid draft class for the Golden State Warriors. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Draft Winners


1. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors couldn't have been happier to have Harrison Barnes fall in their lap. Many experts love to bash him for his struggles in the NCAA tournament after point guard Kendall Marshall got hurt. However, I believe his rare athleticism, pure shooting, and solid defending make him a potential All-Star. He fits a need for the Warriors and will slide in their starting lineup at small forward alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut. Then, later on the Warriors got Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green. Ezeli is a big man full of raw talent. He will slot in well behind Bogut. Green provides good awareness and athleticism at either forward position. With the move to San Francisco under way, the Warriors are a franchise headed in a promising direction.

2. Houston Rockets
Everyone knows about the Rockets attempts to land Dwight Howard. They might not have been able to pull it off on draft night, however, I believe they did very well with the draft picks they used. With the 12th overall pick, they got Jeremy Lamb, who wasn't expected to fall out of the top ten. Lamb is a great shooter and has solid athleticism. While he doesn't have that killer instinct, he has the talent to become an excellent role player. At #16, the Rockets picked one of the most interesting talents in the draft, Royce White. While he doesn't really have a true position, his offensive awareness and hard working attitude make him a special talent. With 18th overall pick, the Rockets added Terrence Jones. While most Kentucky draftees are overrated in my opinion, Jones might be the exception. His ability to shoot and attack the basket make for a great value pick. The Rockets are stock loaded with talent. They definitely now have the depth to trade for Dwight Howard or another star player who's available.

3. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons were another beneficiary of a player falling in their lap. Their man is seven-footer Andre Drummond. Drummond didn't have as good of a freshman year as many expected, but all of the talent is still there. I believe he can learn a lot from Greg Monroe, who has developed into a double-double machine for the Pistons in the post. If Drummond and Monroe click well together, the NBA better watch out. In the second round, the Pistons added two athletic wings in Khris Middleton and Kim English. Middleton's draft stock took a drop this past season due to decreased production. If he is able to regain his form, he has the ability to be a solid complimentary player. English is a great defender and pure shooter. Both Middleton and English should slot well beside Brandon Knight in a rebuilding Pistons team.

Draft Losers


1. Cleveland Cavaliers
After failing to trade up to the #2 overall spot in the draft, the Cavaliers shocked everyone with their selection at #4 overall spot. They selected Dion Waiters to be the backcourt partner to Kyrie Irving. From a logistical standpoint that makes sense, but Waiters had many question marks in the eyes of draft experts. His lack of size and defensive ineptness were two of the biggest concerns. Even if the Cavaliers believed Waiters was their man, they should have traded down to take him later and acquire draft picks in addition. The Cavaliers then traded their three other picks to the Dallas Mavericks for Tyler Zeller. Zeller certainly has potential, but he better develop into a special player, if you are going to give up three picks for him. The Cavaliers' draft day moves were puzzling from top to bottom.

2. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were looking for a guard and selected Terrence Ross at #8 overall. With the likes of Jeremy Lamb, Austin Rivers, and others still on the board, the pick was rather surprising. While Ross does have excellent athleticism and potential, perhaps the wiser move would have been to try and trade down to get Ross later and additional picks. The Raptors added Quincy Acy and Tomislav Zubcic in the second round. Both guys are athletic and have definite potential. Not a terrible draft for the Raptors, I just don't think Ross should have been a top ten pick.

3. Boston Celtics
One of the biggest lessons we learned about the Celtics from this past postseason is that they don't have the athleticism and seed to compete with the NBA's best young teams. With the 21st and 22nd overall picks in the draft, the Celtics were in a position to dismiss that need. Unfortunately, I believe they missed the boat entirely. First, the Celtics picked Jared Sullinger. Sullinger is undersized and his back problems were a red flag everyone knew about. Second, they took Fab Melo. With a history of off the court issues and a lack of athleticism, Melo does not seem like a good fit for the Celtics. Neither player supplies the real need of the Celtics, and both players have been considered among the most likely draft busts. This draft appears to be a missed opportunity for the Celtics.

James, Wade, & Chalmers Lead Heat to 3-1 Lead in Finals

LeBron James is helped off the court late in the 4th quarter. (Lynne Sladky)

Trailing two games to one going into tonight's Game 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder knew how big a win would be here. There were definite things that looked like they were going to make that win a reality. First, the Thunder came out strong from the opening tip. They built a lead early, and it was a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Next, Russell Westbrook had one of the greatest performances in NBA Finals history. Despite receiving so much criticism, Westbrook went off scoring 43 points, while adding seven rebounds and five assists. Lastly, LeBron James was injured late in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a leg cramp. Shortly afterwards, the Thunder gained the lead. All signs looked good for the Thunder.

However, it wasn't over just yet. After receiving treatment, James returned to the floor with the Heat trailing 94-92. A turnover by Westbrook gave the ball back to the Heat. Dwyane Wade found Chris Bosh for the layup to tie the game up. Westbrook missed a contested jump shot the next time down the floor for the Thunder. The next Heat possession, James rose up and buried a three pointer to give the Heat the 97-94 lead. After the made shot, James hobbled down the court to play defense. A Thunder turnover by Kevin Durant lead to an easy basket for Wade. Even though the lead was only five, you could feel that it almost certainly over. Sure enough, more poor decisions by the Thunder lead to the Heat winning Game 4 104-98 and taking a 3-1 lead in the series.

If you are a Thunder fan, you have to be truly disappointed. Up until the NBA Finals, the young Thunder team would not allow their inexperience and youth to be detrimental to their play. That is no longer the case. In all three losses to the Heat, the Thunder's poor execution down the stretch has been their pitfall. Poor shot selection. Poor clock management. Not knowing whether to foul or not. These are elementary principles that the Thunder simply are not remembering. James Harden has displayed cowardice, rather than energy off the bench. As a matter fact, anyone not named Westbrook or Durant have yet to step up as needed. If the Thunder have even a miniscule chance of coming back to win this series, they must execute down the stretch immensely better.

If you are a Heat fan, you obviously have to be thrilled. LeBron James showed why he is a true star. I am not a Lebron fan at all, but his performance after the injury was impressive. He displayed grit to play through the pain and showed that he can hit a big shot with that three he nailed to give the Heat the lead for good. James finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists. Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers each added 25 points of their own. I have said it before and I will say it again. I have to give props to Chalmers. His performance in the playoffs has been very underappreciated. I believe that the Heat would not be where they are right not if not for the efforts of Chalmers. The Heat are just one win away from being NBA Champions. If they keep doing what they have been doing, they should be in pretty good shape.

NBA Finals Preview & Prediction

The NBA Finals, featuring the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder, is set to begin tomorrow night at 9:00 PM EST on ABC. My preview will look at the matchup position by position to see who has the advantage. I will conclude with my pre-series prediction.

Point Guard Matchup: Russell Westbrook & Mario Chalmers

Heat: Mario Chalmers

Chalmers has had some big moments for the Heat this postseason. In my opinion, they wouldn't be in the Finals without him. His ability to drive to the basket means he can't be neglected defensively. Chalmers does seem to get under LeBron's skin at times, so their camaraderie is something to keep an eye on.

Thunder: Russell Westbrook

Westbrook is ultra athletic and as volatile a scorer as point guards come. He has become more of an efficient shooter this season and even more so in the playoffs,  where he is shooting 43.6% from the field and averaging 21.7 points per game. Westbrook's ability to attack the rim is noteworthy as well.

Advantage: Thunder

Shooting Guard Matchup: Thabo Sefolosha & Dwyane Wade

Heat: Dwyane Wade

When Wade is at his best, he is among the most dangerous guards in the league. However, he has been wildly inconsistent this postseason. Wade is still averaging 22.9 points per game, but has disappointed at times, especially down the stretch. I think the Heat would be even happier with consistency from their star.

Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha

Sefolosha is considered to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. His athletic 6-7 frame allows him to matchup with the other team's best player. Not known for his offensive game, he can make the open three on occasion. He has made 36.8% from behind the arc in the playoffs.

Advantage: Heat

Small Forward Matchup: Kevin Durant & LeBron James

Heat: LeBron James

LeBron has proved himself so far in the playoffs. His performance in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a series-changer. In the postseason, James is averaging 30.8 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game. Needless to say, there is a reason he won league MVP this season.

Thunder: Kevin Durant

Durant's 28.0 points per game during the regular season earned him his third consecutive scoring title. He is a supreme athlete and has the dual package ability of being able to effortlessly attack the rim and drain most any jumper. No player means more to his team's success than Durant.

Advantage: None

Power Forward Matchup: Chris Bosh & Serge Ibaka

Heat: Chris Bosh

Without Bosh in the lineup, the Celtics were able worry less about the Heat big men and were free to double up Wade or James. However, Bosh appears to be healthy, especially after his performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals (19 points and 8 rebounds). If Bosh is truly healthy, I expect him to return to the starting lineup for the Heat and to play a significant role in the post in the series.

Thunder: Serge Ibaka

Ibaka led the NBA in blocks this season averaging 3.65 per game. Due to his emergence as a top shot-blocker and post defender, he finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Ibaka burst onto the national scene with his breakout performance in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals (26 points on 11-11 shooting from the field.). He is still a young, developing player and will continue to flourish and improve.

Advantage: Heat (if Bosh is healthy)

Center Matchup: Udonis Haslem & Kendrick Perkins

Heat: Udonis Haslem

Haslem's ability to crash the boards is what the Heat love about him. He had a couple big games in that department against the Celtics, but he also had some where he didn't seem to show up. The Heat need Haslem to step up and take control of the glass in a big way.

Thunder: Kendrick Perkins

Bringing championship experience, Perkins is a hardworking post presence who is a solid rebounder and defender. He did have a breakout game against the Heat during the regular season (16 points). Perkins' emotional nature will look to help propel the Thunder to victory.

Advantage: None

Bench Matchup: James Harden & Shane Battier

Heat Bench

If he doesn't start, Shane Battier will be the Heat's top man off the bench. In their Game 7 win over the Celtics, he nailed four threes. Battier will be crucial to the success of the Heat. Mike Miller has battled injuries the whole playoffs, but will continue to play through them. Rookie Norris Cole and big man Ronny Turiaf provide energy off the bench. Joel Anthony is another big man who will see some minutes.

Thunder Bench

James Harden, this season's Sixth Man of the Year, is the energizer off the bench. He is averaging 17.6 points per game in the playoffs. Harden is the Thunder's third best player. He just happens to prefer to come off the bench. Derek Fisher brings a veteran presence at guard. Daequan Cook will also get some minutes at the guard positions. Nazr Mohammad and Nick Collison are important post players off the bench.

Advantage: Thunder

Coaching Matchup: Scott Brooks & Erik Spoelstra

Heat: Erik Spoelstra

As a head coach in the NBA, Spoelstra feels the heat of pressure more then most. Expectations are high for this team. If something goes awry, Spoelstra is usually the first to get blamed. He got outcoached in last year's NBA Finals and can't afford to let that happen again.  

Thunder: Scott Brooks

Brooks is one of the NBA's best young coaches. He has a 156-80 record, despite coaching one of the league's youngest teams. Brooks was also named coach of the year in 2009-10. His decision to have Sefolosha switch and guard Tony Parker in the Western Conference Finals helped turn around that series for the Thunder.

Advantage: Thunder

Prediction

These teams matchup quite nicely. Durant and LeBron are probably the two best players in the NBA right now. Durant is the best scorer in the league, while LeBron is the best all-around player. The matchup between Wade and Westbrook should be intriguing as well. Both guards are explosive and have the ability to completely change the series outcome. I had a difficult time deciding who to pick to win the series, but nevertheless, I believe I have come to my conclusion. In my opinion, the Thunder have been the more consistent and complete team thus far in the postseason and will continue to be. I think Scott Brooks will make the necessary adjustments defensively to slow down the Heat offensively. Additionally, I predict that Westbrook will give the Heat trouble much the way Rondo did for the Celtics in the previous round. I believe the difference in the series will be the play of James Harden. He isn't the best player on the floor, but he has the ability to come up with the big play. My guess is that he will have several in the series. The Thunder will do enough to complete the task set before them and will win the NBA Title. 

My prediction: Thunder in seven games.

Thunder Earn First NBA Title Appearance Since Relocation

Russell Westbrook and the Thunder have plenty to be excited about. (Sue Ogrocki)

After winning Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs became just the fourth team in NBA history to win at least 20 games in a row. Experts and analysts were calling them unbeatable and the complete package. I guess the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't get the memo or buy into it. They dominated the Spurs in Game 3 and closed out Games 4 and 5 exquisitely to take a 3-2 advantage, heading into Game 6 back in San Antonio.

The Spurs knew the game was a must-win, and they displayed it from the onset. In the first half, they basically had their way offensively and forced many turnovers as a result. The Spurs advantage at the half was 15 points. However, the Thunder came out in the second half looking like a different team. They outscored the Spurs 59-36 from that point on. Kevin Durant led the way with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Russell Westbrook added 25 emphatic points.

The fact that the Thunder basically swept a Spurs team who had just won 20 games in a row is remarkable. What is even more incredible is when you consider where this franchise was just a few years ago. Three seasons ago, they started out 3-29, on pace for the worst record in NBA history. Add in the fact in the fact that in the playoffs, the Thunder beat they the only three Western Conference teams to reach the NBA Finals since 1998, the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Spurs. It is extraordinary what they have accomplished to get to this point. Now, they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals. No matter who they play in the NBA Finals, you can be assured that this young team and their enthused fan base will be ready to put forth their best.

Celtics Take Crucial Game 5 Behind Garnett and Pierce

Kevin Garnett helped lead the Celtics to their Game 5 win. (Mike Ehrmann)

When the Miami Heat came from behind in Game 2 to win, they took a commanding 2-0 lead and all the foreseeable momentum to Boston. My how the tables have turned since then. In Games 3 & 4, the Celtics took large leads early and demonstrated poise as they held on to level the series at two games a piece. Tonight, the series shifted back to Miami for the decisive Game 5.

The Heat came out strong in the first quarter, led by LeBron James. The Celtics struggled on the offensive end, as the Heat built the lead to as much as 11 in the first quarter. Midway through the second, the Celtics offense started to come alive. The third quarter saw back and forth action as the teams traded punches. However, it was the Celtics who locked down to close out the quarter on a 8-0 run to take a five-point lead into the fourth.

The fourth quarter turned into a classic battle. Both teams knew what the win would mean. With a minute to go, the Celtics led by one with the ball. Paul Pierce had the ball in his hands. From 25 feet out, he simply rose up and shot the three over LeBron's outstretched arm. Nothing but net. It didn't matter how much Pierce had struggled in the game prior. He turned to the Celtics' bench and shook his head. They knew how big the shot was. The Heat tried to come back, but clutch free throws by Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett sealed the Celtics' crucial road victory.

Three games ago the Celtics were too old. Now, they are one win away from a return to the NBA Finals. Garnett finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds. While LeBron may be the regular season MVP, I believe at this point Garnett deserves the Eastern Conference MVP. Following the game KG talked about the toughness of his team, "We stayed with it. We had a rough first quarter, first half. We got our stops and made our run ourselves. And when we had to, we had stops. He also commented on the teamwork the Celtics display, "We do it together; we don't do it individually...When we do it together, we look pretty darned good."

Pierce nailed another clutch shot, showing once again that he is one of the game's best closers. Game 6 returns to Boston with the Celtics needing just one win to advance. The pressure is on the Heat, who looked good early, but really didn't play well beside the efforts of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. They will need more of a team effort to have a chance in Game 6. Coverage of Game 6 is scheduled to begin Thursday night at 8:30 on ESPN.