Miami took games one and three, while the Pacers took claim to games two and four, the question is simple with three games remaining in the series.
Who are you taking?
With Miami being the higher seed of the two, the Heat will get two of the three games played on their home-court of American Airlines Arena.
Both teams have won a game on the others respective home floor, so the home-court advantage arguement can be thrown out the window.
You can make a case for both teams on who should and will win the series, now the series has officially begun.
LeBron James has been the most consistent player on the floor, but James alone will not be enough to win the series, that means Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh must come to play, or there's a good chance they can go home.
Indiana has one thing going for them and that's "belief", they believe they can beat the Miami Heat.
They have found a formula they believe that can lead them to the NBA Finals, when Hibbert can remain out of foul trouble, Indiana can keep James out of the paint.
In Miami's wins James made a living in the paint, getting the higher percentage shot attempts he wanted, but in game four when Hibbert remained in the game, that kept James out of the paint.
Indiana can live with James taking long contested jump shots, thats exactly want they want for him to do.
This can work because with Wade and Bosh have been playing mediocre basketball at best, and the supporting cast of the Heat has not been performing as expected.
At the same time I can make an arguement for Miami, in a sense that Indiana struggles at times to score baskets with Miami's pressure defense.
In a best of three series LeBron James has enough talent and skill to win one if not two of the three, but he shouldn't have to, thats why he has two other teammates that makes up the "Big 3".
Indiana has a team that can dethrown the defending champs, but will Paul George and Roy Hibbert be enough to get it done?
Something has to give and we'll know by the end of the day, tip-off for tonight's game is scheduled for 8:30.
Who are you taking?
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
I'm Justin Tyree a junior attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke majoring in Journalism, come into my world when it comes the topic of sports.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
LeBron James Comes Up BIG
As I wake up on this Thursday morning, I reflect on the amazing basketball game that took place last night in American Airlines Arena.
Paul George had his official coming out party, with David West and Roy Hibbert playing the role of supporting cast.
Coming into the series I picked Miami to win in five, and I stand by my decision.
When the game was on the line, the superstars of Miami showed up and closed the deal.
"Superstars make players."
The "Big 3" of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh scored the last four buckets for Miami, with James hitting the game-winning layup.
Yes, Frank Vogel made a coaching mistake of removing Hibbert from the last two possessions of the game, but Miami doesn't win if James doesn't recognized the move and makes the heady decision to take the ball to the rim.
Let me not forget about George overplaying James and letting him go right by him to hit the game-winning layup.
Indiana played the game they wanted to play, forcing Miami to play Pacers style of basketball out rebounding Miami along with forcing turnovers, but that wasn't enough.
Paul George did make an amazing three 32 feet away from the basketball to force the game into overtime, then had Wade make the mental mistake of fouling George on a three point attempt in overtime to tie the game going into the final possession.
These things aren't going to occur on a nightly basis in this series, but what I do know is when the game enters "crunch time" the Miami Heat have three players they can go to when they need a basket.
These games are going to come down to wire, but what separates the two, is one team doesn't really have a go to player when they need a bucket, when the other team has three options.
George finished with 27 points, West contributed 26 points, and Hibbert ended the game with 19 points.
James led Miami with a triple-double of 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, with Wade having 19 points and Bosh with 17 points of his own.
Game one was amazing, I expect nothing less from game two on Friday night.
Paul George had his official coming out party, with David West and Roy Hibbert playing the role of supporting cast.
Coming into the series I picked Miami to win in five, and I stand by my decision.
When the game was on the line, the superstars of Miami showed up and closed the deal.
"Superstars make players."
The "Big 3" of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh scored the last four buckets for Miami, with James hitting the game-winning layup.
Yes, Frank Vogel made a coaching mistake of removing Hibbert from the last two possessions of the game, but Miami doesn't win if James doesn't recognized the move and makes the heady decision to take the ball to the rim.
Let me not forget about George overplaying James and letting him go right by him to hit the game-winning layup.
Indiana played the game they wanted to play, forcing Miami to play Pacers style of basketball out rebounding Miami along with forcing turnovers, but that wasn't enough.
Paul George did make an amazing three 32 feet away from the basketball to force the game into overtime, then had Wade make the mental mistake of fouling George on a three point attempt in overtime to tie the game going into the final possession.
These things aren't going to occur on a nightly basis in this series, but what I do know is when the game enters "crunch time" the Miami Heat have three players they can go to when they need a basket.
These games are going to come down to wire, but what separates the two, is one team doesn't really have a go to player when they need a bucket, when the other team has three options.
George finished with 27 points, West contributed 26 points, and Hibbert ended the game with 19 points.
James led Miami with a triple-double of 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, with Wade having 19 points and Bosh with 17 points of his own.
Game one was amazing, I expect nothing less from game two on Friday night.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Has Carmelo Anthony Reached His Ceiling?
Carmelo Anthony through three quarters of game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals had 35 points, but came up short when his team needed him the most.
Anthony finished with 39 points, going 2-7 from the field with two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter that gave the Pacers the extra push they needed to win the game advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Has Carmelo Anthony reached his ceiling?
Many have defended Anthony claiming he needs a better number two, he receives the praise when he plays well, and he's going to receive the criticism for coming up short, again.
When facing elimination games, Anthony is 3-9 that is not a stat that validates him as a superstar in this league.
Anthony is big time, and its time he silent the critics as myself.
I'm not going to give him a pass, through three quarters of play he was the best player on the floor, but when it mattered in the fourth quarter he went missing in action.
At the 3:57 mark in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 92, Anthony turned the ball over on a bad pass, which was taken the other way with Lance Stephenson converting on a three point play.
The following possession at the 3:28 mark, Anthony doesn't take the best of shots, the Pacers get the rebound take it the other way and score two points, Pacers lead 97-92 at the 3:12 mark.
Now the crowd is into it, this is the time when your superstar comes up big three minutes to go in a must when game on the road.
Anthony turns the ball over on another bad pass that goes the other way for the Pacers with David West scoring increasing the Pacers lead 99-92 at the 2:34 mark.
By this time down seven on the road in a hostile environment, the Pacers go ahead and close the deal, defeating the New York Knicks 106-99.
Anthony had his best chance of his career to advance to the conference finals, and when it mattered he came up short.
Talent is not the issue, I do recall LeBron James leading the Cavaliers to victory in 2006-07 Eastern Conference Finals, James put the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back against the Detroit Pistons scoring 29 of the Cavaliers' last 30 points, finishing with 48 points.
James did not have much help if he had any, Anthony could have done the same, but he didn't.
Carmelo Anthony is a superstar in this league, but until he proves otherwise, he's reached his ceiling.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Anthony finished with 39 points, going 2-7 from the field with two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter that gave the Pacers the extra push they needed to win the game advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Has Carmelo Anthony reached his ceiling?
Many have defended Anthony claiming he needs a better number two, he receives the praise when he plays well, and he's going to receive the criticism for coming up short, again.
When facing elimination games, Anthony is 3-9 that is not a stat that validates him as a superstar in this league.
Anthony is big time, and its time he silent the critics as myself.
I'm not going to give him a pass, through three quarters of play he was the best player on the floor, but when it mattered in the fourth quarter he went missing in action.
At the 3:57 mark in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 92, Anthony turned the ball over on a bad pass, which was taken the other way with Lance Stephenson converting on a three point play.
The following possession at the 3:28 mark, Anthony doesn't take the best of shots, the Pacers get the rebound take it the other way and score two points, Pacers lead 97-92 at the 3:12 mark.
Now the crowd is into it, this is the time when your superstar comes up big three minutes to go in a must when game on the road.
Anthony turns the ball over on another bad pass that goes the other way for the Pacers with David West scoring increasing the Pacers lead 99-92 at the 2:34 mark.
By this time down seven on the road in a hostile environment, the Pacers go ahead and close the deal, defeating the New York Knicks 106-99.
Anthony had his best chance of his career to advance to the conference finals, and when it mattered he came up short.
Talent is not the issue, I do recall LeBron James leading the Cavaliers to victory in 2006-07 Eastern Conference Finals, James put the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back against the Detroit Pistons scoring 29 of the Cavaliers' last 30 points, finishing with 48 points.
James did not have much help if he had any, Anthony could have done the same, but he didn't.
Carmelo Anthony is a superstar in this league, but until he proves otherwise, he's reached his ceiling.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Kevin Durant's Learning Experience
There is one word that is overused when talking sports, espcially in basketball, the word "great".
There are many really good players that will eventually be "great", but aren't great right now in their career.
Last night, I witnessed Kevin Durant go through the humuliation phase as a player, which I believe will help him turn the corner evolving into a great player.
When you talk about the best to ever play the game Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James they all went through it, Kevin Durant just experienced his.
With Durant being 52 percent of the Thunder's offense revealed itself in a major way during the fourth quarter.
I watched Durant miss a big time free-throw, this also occured in game three, along with Durant taking some bad shots.
Despite the lack of lift he had in his legs, you still have to make smart basketball decision. Take a high percentage shot, instead of a long-range jumper fading away from the basket. Passing the ball out of a double team instead of dribbling into a turnover.
The game is mental.
Right now Durant is not a "great" player, but after the humiliation he suffered last night, I expect Durant to turn the corner and become a "great" player, just as Jordan, Kobe and Lebron did.
"I’ve been second my whole life. I was the second best player in high school. I was the second pick in the draft. I’ve been second in the MVP voting three times. I came in second in the finals. I’m tired of being second. I’m not going to settle for that. I’m done with it."- Kevin Durant
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
There are many really good players that will eventually be "great", but aren't great right now in their career.
Last night, I witnessed Kevin Durant go through the humuliation phase as a player, which I believe will help him turn the corner evolving into a great player.
When you talk about the best to ever play the game Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James they all went through it, Kevin Durant just experienced his.
With Durant being 52 percent of the Thunder's offense revealed itself in a major way during the fourth quarter.
I watched Durant miss a big time free-throw, this also occured in game three, along with Durant taking some bad shots.
Despite the lack of lift he had in his legs, you still have to make smart basketball decision. Take a high percentage shot, instead of a long-range jumper fading away from the basket. Passing the ball out of a double team instead of dribbling into a turnover.
The game is mental.
Right now Durant is not a "great" player, but after the humiliation he suffered last night, I expect Durant to turn the corner and become a "great" player, just as Jordan, Kobe and Lebron did.
"I’ve been second my whole life. I was the second best player in high school. I was the second pick in the draft. I’ve been second in the MVP voting three times. I came in second in the finals. I’m tired of being second. I’m not going to settle for that. I’m done with it."- Kevin Durant
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Monday, May 13, 2013
Best Of Three? Thoughts On Tonight's Game Four's
With the series being tied 2-2 who will the best of three? San Antonio has the experience, but Golden State has the confident that they can go into AT&T Arena and win.
Golden State let game one split and bounced back to win game two, San Antonio is a veteran ball club, so I expected them to win one on the road and they did, with Golden State rallying to win game four.
I wasn't sold on Golden State winning this series, but now I am.
When Curry and Thompson went cold, others stepped in to fill the void, in game four Harrison Barnes and Jarrett Jack put them team on their back when it mattered.
The way Golden State has played in San Antonio I believe they'll win game five, and close it out at home in Oracle Arena in game six and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
I will say this Golden State will get San Antonio's best shot, the Spurs do no want to go back to Oracle Arena in a must win game six.
Tonight's Game Four's
Tonight Chicago and Oklahoma City, ultimately are in must win situations, neither team wants to go down 3-1, that's a hole to deep to ultimately get out of.
Chicago I expect to be competitive being on their home court, and possibly even win tonight's match-up, but I don't see it happening.
With Wade not being a hundred percent, Norris Cole provided the spark with 18 points off the bench in game three. Tonight it could be Ray Allen or Shane Battier, the Heat just have too many weapons for Chicago.
Tonight will be a dog fight, but Miami should and more than likely will come out on top going back to South Beach with a 3-1 series lead.
Big Night For Kevin Durant?
How will Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder come out tonight in a must win against the Memphis Grizzles?
For Oklahoma City to have any chance against Memphis tonight, Kevin Durant must have a monster performance, similar to LeBron's 45 points and 15 rebounds in Boston last season.
Serge Ibaka has been missing in action, and Kendrick Perkins hasn't brought much to the table either, Marc Gasol and Zack Randolph have imposed their will, and that's ultimately why they are in control of this series.
Kevin Durant has to come up big, along with getting contributions from Kevin Martin, Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson. If not, then Memphis will take a 3-1 series lead, and there isn't much to say about a team that falls 3-1, history does not work in their favor.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Golden State let game one split and bounced back to win game two, San Antonio is a veteran ball club, so I expected them to win one on the road and they did, with Golden State rallying to win game four.
I wasn't sold on Golden State winning this series, but now I am.
When Curry and Thompson went cold, others stepped in to fill the void, in game four Harrison Barnes and Jarrett Jack put them team on their back when it mattered.
The way Golden State has played in San Antonio I believe they'll win game five, and close it out at home in Oracle Arena in game six and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
I will say this Golden State will get San Antonio's best shot, the Spurs do no want to go back to Oracle Arena in a must win game six.
Tonight's Game Four's
Tonight Chicago and Oklahoma City, ultimately are in must win situations, neither team wants to go down 3-1, that's a hole to deep to ultimately get out of.
Chicago I expect to be competitive being on their home court, and possibly even win tonight's match-up, but I don't see it happening.
With Wade not being a hundred percent, Norris Cole provided the spark with 18 points off the bench in game three. Tonight it could be Ray Allen or Shane Battier, the Heat just have too many weapons for Chicago.
Tonight will be a dog fight, but Miami should and more than likely will come out on top going back to South Beach with a 3-1 series lead.
Big Night For Kevin Durant?
How will Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder come out tonight in a must win against the Memphis Grizzles?
For Oklahoma City to have any chance against Memphis tonight, Kevin Durant must have a monster performance, similar to LeBron's 45 points and 15 rebounds in Boston last season.
Serge Ibaka has been missing in action, and Kendrick Perkins hasn't brought much to the table either, Marc Gasol and Zack Randolph have imposed their will, and that's ultimately why they are in control of this series.
Kevin Durant has to come up big, along with getting contributions from Kevin Martin, Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson. If not, then Memphis will take a 3-1 series lead, and there isn't much to say about a team that falls 3-1, history does not work in their favor.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Sunday, May 12, 2013
My Observations: 2013 NBA Playoffs
As we hit the midway mark of the 2013 NBA Playoffs there have been a few things that grabbed my attention:
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
- Many felt the New York Knicks were the biggest hurdle for the Miami Heat to reach the NBA Finals, but the Indiana Pacers might beg to differ. With Carmelo Anthony running into cold streaks, and JR Smith struggling shooting the ball, the Knicks are in a bind going into game four, that is definitely a must win.
- As many ridiculed Russell Westbrook for his reckless abandon on the offensive end, his lack of presence on the court is revealing itself, just ask Kevin Durant, who is having to do much more than just shoot the basketball. Though the series is 2-1, you can argue the Memphis Grizzles could legitimately be up 3-0. Serge Ibaka must improve his play if the Thunder have any chance of advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
- Who will come out of the Spurs Warriors series? Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson Jr. have shown they can shoot the ball earning the nickname "Splash Brothers", but despite the thrill of raining three-pointers the Warriors trail the Spurs in the series 2-1. The contrasting style of play between the two have made the series interesting, game four is this afternoon. Who do you have as the victor?
- Despite the Bulls 'bullying' effort of trying to intimidate the Miami Heat, the fact of the matter is that Chicago just does not have enough fire power to dethrone the defending champs. With the Bulls on their last leg, I still scratch my head on my Richard Hamilton has yet to see some action. The Bulls can attempt to rough LeBron James up, but when it matters they have no answer for the four-time league MVP.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Monday, May 6, 2013
Knicks Pacers Who Are You Taking?
As I wake up on this Monday morning, I've heard arguements from both sides of the table, about who's going to win this Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
Game one went to the Pacers 102-95, stealing one in Madison Square Garden.
I took two things from game one: the Pacers are a really good defensive ball club, and if the
Knicks are going to win this series Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith must play well.
Notice I said play well not just shoot well, playing well means being active on defense, taking good shots and winning the 50/50 battles.
The Pacers imposed their style of play, they let the Knicks take the bad shots, and they controlled the boards, winning the rebounding battle and points in the paint.
The Knicks are going to need for Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin to do their job, and that's rebound. The two combined for six rebounds, that's not going to cut it.
When you are taking jumpers and hitting them rebounding isn't an issue, but when you settle for long jumpers and aren't hitting you lose the battle for second chance opportunites. The Knicks are going to have to shoot well and rebound if they want to win this series, because the Pacers are long.
The knock on the Knicks is that they struggle with good defense ball clubs along the likes of Chicago, Miami and from the looks of game one the Pacers.
The victories against the Heat, don't fall in love with them, Miami is the better team.
This is a perfect opportunity for the Knicks to silence the critics, for Carmelo Anthony to answer the bell, and for JR Smith to show he is a consitent scoring threat.
Game two will be an interesting one to say the least, if the Pacers take it and head to Indiana with a 2-0 series lead, the Knicks will be in serious trouble.
I'm a fan of the game first, being an analyst second.
With that being said I'm pushing for seven games, the Knicks will win game two, and head to Indiana with the series being tied 1-1.
Game one went to the Pacers 102-95, stealing one in Madison Square Garden.
I took two things from game one: the Pacers are a really good defensive ball club, and if the
Knicks are going to win this series Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith must play well.
Notice I said play well not just shoot well, playing well means being active on defense, taking good shots and winning the 50/50 battles.
The Pacers imposed their style of play, they let the Knicks take the bad shots, and they controlled the boards, winning the rebounding battle and points in the paint.
The Knicks are going to need for Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin to do their job, and that's rebound. The two combined for six rebounds, that's not going to cut it.
When you are taking jumpers and hitting them rebounding isn't an issue, but when you settle for long jumpers and aren't hitting you lose the battle for second chance opportunites. The Knicks are going to have to shoot well and rebound if they want to win this series, because the Pacers are long.
The knock on the Knicks is that they struggle with good defense ball clubs along the likes of Chicago, Miami and from the looks of game one the Pacers.
The victories against the Heat, don't fall in love with them, Miami is the better team.
This is a perfect opportunity for the Knicks to silence the critics, for Carmelo Anthony to answer the bell, and for JR Smith to show he is a consitent scoring threat.
Game two will be an interesting one to say the least, if the Pacers take it and head to Indiana with a 2-0 series lead, the Knicks will be in serious trouble.
I'm a fan of the game first, being an analyst second.
With that being said I'm pushing for seven games, the Knicks will win game two, and head to Indiana with the series being tied 1-1.
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