NBA Eastern Conference First Round Predictions

We are on to the Eastern Conference where I think for the first round, it's much more easier to pick and feel most of the series will not be long lasting in my opinion. I actually hope there are no upsets because the second round will be absolutely bananas. If you missed the Western Conference picks, you can check those out here.



1.) Chicago Bulls v. 8.) Indiana Pacers- This brings back memories of the late 90s with the great Bulls-Pacers playoff matchups where they fought down to the wire. Sadly that will not happen this season. No one can guard Derrick Rose on the Pacers, and the Bulls have enough defensive weapons to keep up with Danny Granger and friends. Hopefully fans show up for Game 3, the Pacers are currently last in the NBA in fan attendance, ouch. Ugly series though, don't expect a ton of scoring.  Bulls sweep.

4.) Orlando Magic v. 5.) Atlanta Hawks- The rumblings have begun that the Hawks gave up on another coach, and I hope that's not true for their fanbase. If I am Joe Johnson or Al Hortford, I want to make a statement in the first game after getting embarrassed by the Magic last season. I am throwing a big elbow, or putting someone on their ass to show this year is different. But the crazy thing is I think the Hawks don't care once again therefore the Magic are going to make quick work of the Hawks.  Orlando in five.

3.) Boston Celtics v. 6.) New York Knicks- A very excited series, and I look forward to Game 3 at Madison Square Garden in a couple days because it will probably be the best atmosphere in the first round. Originally, I said the Knicks would beat the Celtics in six games and was ready to stick to my word. But after listening to Bill Simmons' podcast where six, count them six NBA analysts said there is no chance this will happen, I started to get nervous. I hate to go against my word, but it's hard not to trust the C's even with their struggles. I do think this will be a slugfest that goes the distance.  Celts in seven.

2.) Miami Heat v. 7.) Philadelphia 76ers- The Heat played very well in the final month, and I think they might be hitting their stride at the right time. The Sixers played inspired all year under Doug Collins, and I see them winning one game in the city of Brotherly Love due to the good play of Andre Igoudala.  But the Sixers do not have the talent to keep up with both Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on a nightly basis. Heatles in five.  

-Charlie.

Melo's First New York Commercial Is Awesome

Just a great commercial from the people at Madison Square Garden.  It immediately pumped me up for tonight's game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks. The Bucks have a great 8-1 record against the Knickerbockers in the last nine games so hopefully they can keep it up. Another hope of mine is that I am watching the first game Michael Redd plays so I can go... MY GOD THAT'S MICHAEL REDD'S MUSIC!!!!!

(Props to the guys at NY Barstool for the vid.)

-Charlie.

Breaking Down The Melo Trade From All Angles

The New York Knicks knew they had to get this done. The fans worried that the Knicks will screw this up like they usually do, but that didn't happen. Finally, the Knicks have Melo. I am glad because this story will be dead by Friday and we can move on to beating a dead horse on another issue, joy.  If you need the details, here they are.

I like the deal for the Knicks.  Any time there is a player who is arguably one of the 10 best players in the NBA and is available, you have to find a way to pull the trigger.  Melo will work very nice with Amar'e Stoudemire, and honestly, I still think this is Amar'e's team, not Melo's. But it will be interesting to see if there is any conflict in the first month. The Knicks can spread out the court like Mike D'Antoni wants to, but they aren't as much of a run and gun team. Chauncey Billups will slow up what they really wanted to do with their offense, but I think D'Antoni is a good enough coach to make adjustments to his system.  I like Billups because I know he will not try to be the first or second scorer rather a guy who passes/penetrates to find guys like STAT and Melo.  

People are so worried about the Knicks bench, and that is puzzling to me because it's well-known that D'Antoni doesn't keep a deep bench. Unlike a lot of systems, the Knicks really do not need to have a bench. Maybe they will pick up somebody if they can figure out the salaries but I am okay with having Toney Douglas as their sixth man. He is a great energy player off the bench  Additionally, they have guys that have been valuable contributors for other teams in NBA such as Kelenna Aziubuke and Roger Mason Jr. 

As for the Nuggets, they are clearly in a rebuilding stage of their franchise. George Karl will probably retire after this season, Melo is now gone, and I have a feeling they aren't done dealing this deadline. Kenyon Martin has a big expiring contract at 16.5 million, and if the Miami Heat could figure out a way to get him, it would be over.  When I loaded up the ESPN Trade Machine, it would have to be a three-teamer but the Heat could use a physical guy like Martin off their bench. J.R. Smith will be dealt without question and I think New Orleans Hornets is his destination because they asked the Milwaukee Bucks about Corey Maggette for scoring purposes. The Nuggets need to find a player who will want be a career player for Denver and not head back east like Melo did to them. This will be a transition period for the Nuggets, but I expect them back in a couple of years.

It's like the Timberwolves were the nerds of this deal,  They wanted to feel cool and popular, therefore General Manager David KAAAAAAAAAAAHN decided to get involved.  He did lure a huge expiring contract and man in Eddy Curry, but traded away a young player with potential in Corey Brewer who in my opinion is getting slept on in this deal.  Also Kevin Love has to deal with Curry, Anthony Randolph, Michael Beasley, and Darko Milicic. That is more dysfunctional locker room than any season of Bad Girls Club. I wish K-Love luck.

I will be shocked if the Knicks are higher than a five seed come April. I do think they push Atlanta out of the five spot, but I do not think this team is better than the big four of Orlando, Chicago, Miami, and Boston. It will be good to have Madison Square Garden rocking during the playoffs, and who knows maybe the Knicks get to the second round where they will try to take out one of the big dogs. Only a matter of time before they become one unless Jimbo Dolan screws it up. Knicks fan will ignore that last sentence for now at least.

-Charlie.

The National Carmelo Nightmare Is Over

Carmelo Anthony finally got traded.  We will give you the details tonight, and someone will have their overall thoughts on the trade for all parties involved come tomorrow. If you want to be a part of the post tomorrow, feel free and leave a comment on what you think of the first NBA blockbuster of the deadline seasons.

KNICKS GET:
SF Carmelo Anthony, PG Chauncey Billups, SG Anthony Carter, C Shelden Williams SF Renaldo Balkman SF Corey Brewer

NUGGETS GET:
SF Danillo Gallinari, PG Raymond Felton, SF Wilson Chandler, C Timofey Mozgov, 2014 first round pick, two second round picks, and 3 million in cash.

T-WOLVES GET:
SF Anthony Randolph, PF Eddy Curry

-Charlie.

James Dolan Forgets What Got Them There

In the past couple months, I avoided the Carmelo Anthony trade talk like I have avoided discussing politics on Facebook. Of course, I have an opinion, but there have been probably 10,000 articles regarding what Melo is going to do so why give you another one? Frankly, I am sick of hearing about it every day on SportsCenter. But there is a disturbing thing that is happening right now during all of this, the rebirth of Isiah Thomas.  

Many people around the internet such as Yahoo!, New York Times and the New Yorker to name a few have said Knicks' General Manager Donnie Walsh has lost control of the management process. I would probably be consistently drinking if I were a Knicks fan because it's clear to me that Dolan will be the owner/general manager of the Knicks in the coming year. That is downright scary.  Let's add Thomas to the equation who will be a special advisor to Dolan. Scariest thing for New York sports in a long time.  

The NBA version of The Roommate, that horrible movie which paired hot girls together with one obsessed with the other, is Dolan and Zeke.  Dolan is obsessed with Thomas and I cannot figure out why. Thomas brought in the likes of Penny Hardaway, Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Jared Jeffries. Don't think I would forget the worst transaction of them all... Eddy Curry. These were all Isiah Thomas moves, and not a single one of them worked out for the Knicks.   

The Knicks looked like they were on the road to redemption with Donnie Walsh, Mike D'Antoni, and Amar'e Stoudemire. They started drafting better, signing key role players, and making the smart trades. Even if they didn't get LeBron James, people thought the Knicks were on the right track. Now, it appears the running joke of the mid-00s will be back in again in no time.  James Dolan is the Daniel Synder of NBA owners, and there is nothing Knick fans can do to get rid of him.  

-Charlie.

NBA's Fight Night

KG appears to hit Channing Fyre in the crown jewels when he goes up with the shot.  It didn't seem like much on the replays, but as all males know, one little hit is can be brutal.

Marvin Williams is a punk.  Who hits the guy from behind, and why do you mess with Shawne Williams?  Have you seen his rap sheet?  Dude is crazy.  The commentator is wondering why they would fight... I tell you why thanks to my friend Simmons... Women or Gambling.  

-Charlie.