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.
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.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Should Derrick Rose Play?
If you've been to a Chicago Bulls game as of late, you've witnessed Derrick Rose participating in shoot around.
Rose has not only looked healthy, but he looks as if he's ready to play.
Leaving fans with the question of, "Should Derrick Rose Play?
It has been noted, that Rose has been "dominating" in practice.
Which has left Chicago Bulls fans scratching their heads, and they have every reason to. One second you hear he's not fully 100 percent yet, then you turn around and see footage of him domination in practice, along with looking good during shoot around.
Derrick Rose has not struck me as a guy, that would lie, never has his character been questioned when it comes to his love and respect for the game. He's a Chicago native, that loves playing for the Bulls in from of his hometown.
I do believe Rose is 100 percent healthy, but that's not what I believe is holding him back from returning to the floor.
One word, confidence.
The guy is not confident, and he should not return until he is confident in his game.
The Bulls should understand that as well as his supporters. The Bulls do have a shot to win a NBA Championship, which is why many are wondering why Rose has yet to return. I'm not sure if people have forgot, but there is a guy named LeBron James that plays with the Miami Heat, that will win the league's MVP and more than likely win the NBA Championship come June.
Rose should and will wait to return to the floor next season, and I can not fault him for it, and neither should you.
Why succumb to the pressure of sports writers and fans?
Why risk injury and further injury your 24 year-old superstar, who just happens to be your franchise player?
Let the man return when he is ready.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: http://.www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Rose has not only looked healthy, but he looks as if he's ready to play.
Leaving fans with the question of, "Should Derrick Rose Play?
It has been noted, that Rose has been "dominating" in practice.
Which has left Chicago Bulls fans scratching their heads, and they have every reason to. One second you hear he's not fully 100 percent yet, then you turn around and see footage of him domination in practice, along with looking good during shoot around.
Derrick Rose has not struck me as a guy, that would lie, never has his character been questioned when it comes to his love and respect for the game. He's a Chicago native, that loves playing for the Bulls in from of his hometown.
I do believe Rose is 100 percent healthy, but that's not what I believe is holding him back from returning to the floor.
One word, confidence.
The guy is not confident, and he should not return until he is confident in his game.
The Bulls should understand that as well as his supporters. The Bulls do have a shot to win a NBA Championship, which is why many are wondering why Rose has yet to return. I'm not sure if people have forgot, but there is a guy named LeBron James that plays with the Miami Heat, that will win the league's MVP and more than likely win the NBA Championship come June.
Rose should and will wait to return to the floor next season, and I can not fault him for it, and neither should you.
Why succumb to the pressure of sports writers and fans?
Why risk injury and further injury your 24 year-old superstar, who just happens to be your franchise player?
Let the man return when he is ready.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: http://.www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Monday, March 18, 2013
How Will The "Triangle" Teams Fair In The Big Dance?
UNC, Duke, nor NC State are popular
picks to win the 2013 NCAA Tournament, but one thing their fan bases can hang
their heads on is that each team has the potential to make a run deep into the
field of 64.
The Tar Heels have had a solid
season, in which many saw as a “down” year for a team who lost four of their
starting five players being top 14 picks in the 2012 NBA Draft. Credit Roy
Williams, with making the switch from going being to small. The small lineup
gives the Heels favorable match-ups being able to space the floor giving their
shooters PJ Hairston and Reggie Bullock opportunities to connect from behind
the arch. The Heels will face a stiff opponent in Kansas in the second round,
that’s where it could get interesting. Many don’t have the Heels beating
Kansas, and rightfully so, but when the Heels are shooting the ball well they
can play with the best the nation has to offer. Prime example look at the two match-ups during conference play when the Heels played Miami, the Heels lost
both games, not shooting the ball well. Sunday afternoon in the ACC
Championship the Heels gave Miami everything they could handle and then some.
Though they were unsuccessful in earning the victory, they showed the country
what can happen when they shoot the ball well. Ultimately Hairston, Bullock and
James Michael McAdoo have to score 18 points at least, along with Marcus Paige,
Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald bringing something to the table along the
lines of eight points apiece for the Heels to make any sort of noise in the
tournament.
The Duke Blue Devils can beat
anyone on any giving floor with their three main contributors Seth Curry, Ryan
Kelly, and Mason Plumlee. The Blue Devils are one of the best teams in the country,
only when they are shooting the ball extremely well. This means Seth Curry and
Ryan Kelly must play well, along with Mason Plumlee, who has been missing in
action after a hot start to the season. The Blue Devils will advance out of the
second round, but they’ll run into some trouble in the form of the Cincinnati
Bearcats. The Blue Devils are in the same boat as the Tar Heels, despite
sweeping the Heels in the season series. Both ball clubs when “hot” can make a
run, but if “cold” will struggle, and exit the tournament earlier than
expected. Cincinnati is a ball club that is a physical defensive ball club,
Duke struggles against teams who get physical with them, Miami and Maryland
both defeated the Blue Devils off of playing a physical style of play. I expect
the Blue Devils to pull it out, but honestly it can go either way. Basketball is
a game of match-ups and playing styles, the Devils are clearly the more skilled
team, but Cincinnati is the more physical of the two. If Duke gets hot, it can
get ugly in a hurry. It will be interesting to see who will be able to impose
their will, but that’s why we play the game.
The NC State Wolfpack had have a
disappointing season after being ranked sixth in the preseason rankings, last
year the Pack got hot around this same time last year can it happen again? With
the talent on this ball club anything is possible. The Wolfpack have enough
talent to compete with the best the nation has to offer, but that’s not their
problem. The Wolfpack struggle when it comes to consistency, which landed them
out of the top 25. Its tournament time, and I know Mark Gottfried will have his
team ready and prepare to make a run, seeing they advance to the second round,
they should see Indiana. Yes, Indiana is a better team, but that does not mean
they can’t shock the country. If Scott Wood keeps shooting the ball like the
way he has as of late, and CJ Leslie come to play with Howell on the boards, having
Lorenzo Brown at the point, the Wolfpack can pose a treat. It is not a matter of
if they have the talent, but will they be able to put it all together is the
question? We’ll have to wait and see, but don’t be shocked if the Wolfpack of
NC State make a run.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
LeBron James "I'm Not MJ, I'm LJ"
Before I go any further, LeBron James is the best player in the NBA right now, and if you feel otherwise then you obviously don't know basketball.
There has been so much criticism of how LeBron is overrated, can't shot and I've even heard people go as far saying he's not even the best player on the team he plays on.
The only statement that once was true, was his inability to shoot the basketball consistently. Here's something to think about at the end of his rookie season he shot the ball .417 percent from the field, he's currently shooting the ball .565 percent from the field. Night an day from his rookie season.
At 6'8 250 pounds, this specimen of a basketball player that is LeBron James is unstoppable, what he has done over the past week or so is unheard of.
In his last six games he is the only player in NBA history to score 30+ points in combination with shooting 60 percent from the field.
His impact on his teammates you ask? Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have been balling right along with him, playing there best basketball of the season over the duration of this six game stretch.
I knew this day would come I just didn't know how soon or when it would come, but I no longer need to wait, because the time is now.
What makes this special is that the guy is 28 years old currently in his tenth season, he has yet to hit his prime that comes usually when a player hits 30 years of age.
I'll leave you with this, can you imagine if he added a consistent three point shot to his game? He currently is shooting .420 percent from behind the arch better than his rookie season of .290 percent.
Many toss around the coined saying "The sky is the limit", but it holds validity when you speak of LeBron James.
Justin Tyree
ESPN Charlotte 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
There has been so much criticism of how LeBron is overrated, can't shot and I've even heard people go as far saying he's not even the best player on the team he plays on.
The only statement that once was true, was his inability to shoot the basketball consistently. Here's something to think about at the end of his rookie season he shot the ball .417 percent from the field, he's currently shooting the ball .565 percent from the field. Night an day from his rookie season.
At 6'8 250 pounds, this specimen of a basketball player that is LeBron James is unstoppable, what he has done over the past week or so is unheard of.
In his last six games he is the only player in NBA history to score 30+ points in combination with shooting 60 percent from the field.
His impact on his teammates you ask? Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have been balling right along with him, playing there best basketball of the season over the duration of this six game stretch.
I knew this day would come I just didn't know how soon or when it would come, but I no longer need to wait, because the time is now.
What makes this special is that the guy is 28 years old currently in his tenth season, he has yet to hit his prime that comes usually when a player hits 30 years of age.
I'll leave you with this, can you imagine if he added a consistent three point shot to his game? He currently is shooting .420 percent from behind the arch better than his rookie season of .290 percent.
Many toss around the coined saying "The sky is the limit", but it holds validity when you speak of LeBron James.
Justin Tyree
ESPN Charlotte 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
2013 National Signing Day Preview
Tomorrow is national signing day, meaning the nation's top high school football prospects will be signing their national letter of intent. Which prospects will go to your favorite college football program? We'll find out tomorrow. According to ESPN.com here are the top 15 recruiting classes going into national signing day.
1. Florida with 26 commits and the 3rd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Vernon Hargreaves III a 5'11 185 WT CB
2. Alabama with 23 commits and the 9th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Derrick Henry a 6'3 243 WT ATH
3. Ohio State with 24 commits and the 11th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Eli Apple a 6'0 185 WT CB
4. Notre Dame with 23 commits and the 7th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Jaylon Smith a 6'3 212 WT OLB
5. Michigan with 27 commits and the 38th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Derrick Green a 6'0 215 WT RB
6. LSU with 26 commits and the 41st overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Kendell Beckwith a 6'3 225 WT ATH
7. Texas A&M with 32 commits and the 33rd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Derrick Griffin a 6'6 228 WT TE-H
8. USC with 13 commits and the 12th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Su'a Cravens a 6'1 205 WT S
9. Georgia with 30 commits and the 39th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Shaq Wiggins a 5'10 165 WT CB
10. Florida State with 18 commits and the 30th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Ryan Green a 5'10 187 WT WTH
11. UCLA with 23 commits and the 172nd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Eldridge Massington a 6'3 205 WT WR
12. Ole Miss with 23 commits and the 19th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Laquon Treadwell a 6'3 195 WT WR
13. Texas with 15 commits and the 17th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Darius James a 6'5 320 WT OC
14. Auburn with 20 commits and the 2nd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Carl Lawson a 6'3 251 WT DE
15. Clemson with 18 commits and the 78th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Ben Boulware a 6'1 225 WT ILB
Top five prospects who haven't committed:
1. Robert Nkemdiche the number 1 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'5 265 DE considering Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss
2. Mackensie Alexander the 4th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 5'11 175 CB considering Auburn and Mississippi State
3. Laremy Tunsil the 5th overall overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'6 295 OT considering Alabama, Florida State, USC, and Ole Miss
4. Matthew Thomas the 6th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'3 205 WT OLB considering Miami, Alabama, Florida State, and USC
5. Eddie Vanderdoes the 10th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'3 310 WT DT considering USC, Notre Dame, and Alabama
1. Florida with 26 commits and the 3rd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Vernon Hargreaves III a 5'11 185 WT CB
2. Alabama with 23 commits and the 9th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Derrick Henry a 6'3 243 WT ATH
3. Ohio State with 24 commits and the 11th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Eli Apple a 6'0 185 WT CB
4. Notre Dame with 23 commits and the 7th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Jaylon Smith a 6'3 212 WT OLB
5. Michigan with 27 commits and the 38th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Derrick Green a 6'0 215 WT RB
6. LSU with 26 commits and the 41st overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Kendell Beckwith a 6'3 225 WT ATH
7. Texas A&M with 32 commits and the 33rd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Derrick Griffin a 6'6 228 WT TE-H
8. USC with 13 commits and the 12th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Su'a Cravens a 6'1 205 WT S
9. Georgia with 30 commits and the 39th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Shaq Wiggins a 5'10 165 WT CB
10. Florida State with 18 commits and the 30th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Ryan Green a 5'10 187 WT WTH
11. UCLA with 23 commits and the 172nd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Eldridge Massington a 6'3 205 WT WR
12. Ole Miss with 23 commits and the 19th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Laquon Treadwell a 6'3 195 WT WR
13. Texas with 15 commits and the 17th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Darius James a 6'5 320 WT OC
14. Auburn with 20 commits and the 2nd overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Carl Lawson a 6'3 251 WT DE
15. Clemson with 18 commits and the 78th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 Ben Boulware a 6'1 225 WT ILB
Top five prospects who haven't committed:
1. Robert Nkemdiche the number 1 overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'5 265 DE considering Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss
2. Mackensie Alexander the 4th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 5'11 175 CB considering Auburn and Mississippi State
3. Laremy Tunsil the 5th overall overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'6 295 OT considering Alabama, Florida State, USC, and Ole Miss
4. Matthew Thomas the 6th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'3 205 WT OLB considering Miami, Alabama, Florida State, and USC
5. Eddie Vanderdoes the 10th overall prospect in the ESPN 300 a 6'3 310 WT DT considering USC, Notre Dame, and Alabama
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Bryce Hatley's Top 5 For The 2013 CFB Season
- AlabamaAlabama will be at the top of my preseason list as repeat national champions and with experience returning on both sides of the ball next season. Alabama’s dominate run will continue over to the 2014 season.2. LSUWith arguably one of the best back field’s in the nation LSU will come in a close second to the crimson tide. The 2014 season will bring the opportunity for LSU quarterback Mettenberger to solidify himself as a consistent pocket passer that he showed glimpses of this past season.3. FSUFlorida State will be in my preseason top 5 with an all-world roster Florida State should be a national title contender. Questions still linger at the quarterback position for the 2014 season. Let’s see of Jimbo Fisher can put it all together this season4. Texas A&MWith the return of Heisman trophy winner Jhonny Manziel along with the number one recruiting class in the nation Texas A&M will definitely be national championship contender. Dismantling Alabama at home this season gives us sign of what A&M has the potential to be next season.5. Stanford
Monday, January 7, 2013
My Preseason Top 5 2013 CFB Rankings
With the 2012 season already in the history books, its time to look ahead for the 2013 season, here are my top five teams going into the 2013 college football season:
1. Alabama
It’s hard to bet against a Nick Saban team who reached the national championship in a “down year” and down by 28. With A.J. McCarron returning for his senior season surrounded with a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball as well as on defensive, the Tide will probably be number one on many polls.
2. Stanford
The Stanford Cardinal will be a popular pick next season among national championship contenders. The Cardinals lose Stepfan Taylor and star tight end Zach Ertz, but return a stud at quarterback in Kevin Hogan and a stout defense look for the Cardinal to make a run at another Pac-12 Championship and possibly a national championship.
3. LSU
LSU will have another stellar defense as well as returning a young offensive line. I look for quarterback Zach Mettenberger to make a big jump and show why he was such a herald recruit coming out of high school. It also help that he'll have a stable of running backs. Though the Tigers lose some talent on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers will have a chance to compete for an SEC title as well as a national championship.
4. Florida State
Can Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles ever put it together? The talent is there coming off of a winning the 2012 Orange Bowl and ACC Championship, the talent is there. With a loaded team coming back off a 12 win season, the only question I have is who will be the quarterback will it be Clint Trickett or Jameis Winston?
5. Texas A&M
With Johnny Football returning the Aggies will be a contender, they do face some challenges going on the road to the Swamp in Gainesville and Death Valley in LSU two big games, in return they get to welcome Saban and the Tide to College Station. The big question will be with a season in the books, will Johnny Football have the same success in 2013 that he had in 2012? We'll have to wait and see.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
1. Alabama
It’s hard to bet against a Nick Saban team who reached the national championship in a “down year” and down by 28. With A.J. McCarron returning for his senior season surrounded with a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball as well as on defensive, the Tide will probably be number one on many polls.
2. Stanford
The Stanford Cardinal will be a popular pick next season among national championship contenders. The Cardinals lose Stepfan Taylor and star tight end Zach Ertz, but return a stud at quarterback in Kevin Hogan and a stout defense look for the Cardinal to make a run at another Pac-12 Championship and possibly a national championship.
3. LSU
LSU will have another stellar defense as well as returning a young offensive line. I look for quarterback Zach Mettenberger to make a big jump and show why he was such a herald recruit coming out of high school. It also help that he'll have a stable of running backs. Though the Tigers lose some talent on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers will have a chance to compete for an SEC title as well as a national championship.
4. Florida State
Can Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles ever put it together? The talent is there coming off of a winning the 2012 Orange Bowl and ACC Championship, the talent is there. With a loaded team coming back off a 12 win season, the only question I have is who will be the quarterback will it be Clint Trickett or Jameis Winston?
5. Texas A&M
With Johnny Football returning the Aggies will be a contender, they do face some challenges going on the road to the Swamp in Gainesville and Death Valley in LSU two big games, in return they get to welcome Saban and the Tide to College Station. The big question will be with a season in the books, will Johnny Football have the same success in 2013 that he had in 2012? We'll have to wait and see.
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
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