On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

The NBA-Who’s On Top?

We are officially well passed the midpoint mark for the season with 57 plus Games played to date and lo and behold we have a new contender in the Milwaukee Bucks (43-14) holding down the No.1 Spot by a very small margin over our own Canadian team the Toronto Raptors (43-16). Giannis and The Bucks have been looking like legit contenders as of late. Real Talk! The Bucks as a Team are looking to secure their bid for the NBA Finals by balling hard every night with their MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with his do it all, no holds barred playmaking. Giannis is balling on another level right now and the Bucks are definitely benefiting from it. That being said, the Raptors still have a very good chance of claiming the No. 1 Spot in the Eastern Conference as do the Indiana Pacers (38-20), the Boston Celtics (37-21) and Philadelphia 76ers (37-21). They are all battling to secure a better seeding come Playoff time.

Holding down the Western Conference once again is the Defending Champs Golden State Warriors (41-16) but, surprisingly, behind them is the standout play of the Denver Nuggets (39-18). The Nuggets are the wild card in the Western Conference that can undeniably disrupt the seedings and possibly take the No.1 Spot if the Warriors are caught slipping. Real Talk! That being said, the Western Conference is still a tight and competitive race with Oklahoma City Thunder (37-20) balling hard while holding on to the third spot but could perhaps shuffle up or down with the Portland Trail Blazers (34-23) and the Houston Rockets (33-24) breathing down each other’s necks. The Los Angeles Lakers (28-29) have fallen off as of late but do have “King James” on the squad that could still flip a switch and turn things around and get back into contention.

The landscape is changing fast for both conferences and making it that much more interesting. Keep tuned in to see the final stretch to the NBA’s version of the “sweet 16” aka the Playoffs?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The 68th 2019 NBA All-Star Game”

This Year the 68th 2019 NBA-All-Star Game will be taking place at the Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the Charlotte Hornets on TNT Sunday February 17, 2019.

In an effort to make this Year All-Star Game even more exciting and competitive, the NBA changed the format from the traditional Eastern Conference vs Western Conference to an All-Star Draft-Style format that was viewed live for the first time. As usual the starters were chosen by the fans and the media and players also had a say to the votes. Captains were able to draft from the pool of players voted as Starters and Reserves.

Representing the Eastern Conference Starters this year are

-Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Team Captain
-Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
-Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
-Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)
-Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets)

Reserves
-Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
-Nokola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
-Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers) (Traded to Team LeBron for Russell Westbrook)
-Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons)
-D’Angelo Russell (Brooklyn Nets)
-Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic)
-Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
-Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) (drafted in the third and final round per Adam Silver as special team roster additions for the All-Star Game)

Coach Mike Budenhozer (Milwaukee Bucks)

Representing the Western Conference Starters this year are

-LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Team Captain
-Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
-Kyrie Irving (Toronto Raptors)
-Kawhi Leonard (Boston Celtics)
-James Harden (Houston Rockets)

Reserves
-Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
-Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
-Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
-Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) (Traded to Team Giannis for Ben Simmons)
-LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs)
-Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
-Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
-Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) (drafted in the third and final round per Adam Silver as special team roster additions for the All-Star Game)

Coach Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets)

Once again, “King Of The Court” is up for grabs come Sunday night February 17, 2019. Which side will claim all bragging rights for this year All-Star Game?

Tune in!
Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Eleider Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev”

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Last night, at the Ford Center at the Star, in Frisco, Texas, Sergey Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 Kos) successfully avenged his previous loss to Eleider Alvarez (24-1, 12 Kos) by defeating him by unanimous decision.

With new trainer Buddy McGirt in his corner, Kovalev was a completely different fighter then the one who fought 6 months ago and lost his title to Alvarez. Real Talk!

This version of Kovalev who stepped into that squared circle last night was laser focussed with controlled aggression and a very effective jab that was on point throughout the entire bout. Kovalev stuck to the “game plan” at hand and never wavered. He showed patience with no signs of stamina issues well into the second half of the bout.

I was impressed and surprised by his discipline in this bout. Sergey controlled the fight from start to finish while being mindful of Alverez’s effort of trying to land something significant all night.

Alvarez’s approach in this bout was confusing to say the least. Alvarez was hoping to catch Sergey slipping in the second half but to his surprise Kovalev actually stepped it up and finished stronger than expected. Alvarez had no real answers for Kovalev’s strategic approach. Alvarez’s low punch output was definitely the most unexpected to me. Alverez’s overconfidence this time around cost him to succumb to his first professional defeat and his WBO Light Heavyweight Title.

With this win Kovalev now becomes three-time WBO Light Heavyweight Champion of the World and is now anxiously looking for a unification bout with either Titleholder in the 175-pound Division.

I’m curious to see which of the Champions is going accept the challenge.

Until then, congratulations on regaining your Championship Belt, Kovalev.  Job well done.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Keith Thurman vs Josesito Lopez”

WBA “Super” Welterweight Challenge

Fresh off his 22-month layoff, Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22 Kos) successfully defended his WBA “Super” Welterweight Title against tough and rugged Josesito Lopez (36-8, 19 Kos) last night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. “One Time” was surprisingly in a tough bout that took him all the way to the 12th round. Keith established himself early when he knocked down Josesito for an 8 count in the second round but was still unable to finish him off.

Lopez came to fight and didn’t let the second round deter him from the “game plan” at hand. He kept on coming forward and stalking the champ as much as he could and landed some heavy shots whenever he managed to connect.

Keith kept his jab, movement and his work rate on point. There were no real signs of ring rust but his stamina did look suspect at times. There was a significant scare in the 7th round when Lopez connected with a flurry of shots that had the champ hurt and retreating for the rest of the round.

This bout was closer then it looked and Josesito gave it a good run but Keith managed to compose himself and fought through the rough patches while still maintaining his early lead.

That being said, Keith outscored the game Josesito (113-113, 115-111 and 117-109) to retain his WBA “Super” Welterweight Belt by majority Decision.

It may not have been Thurman’s best performance to date but with a 22-Month layoff to speak of we’re happy to see him back in that squared circle with a win.

Now on to the next Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Manny Pacquiao vs Adrien Broner”

WBA Welterweight Challenge

Last night, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 Kos) proved to the naysayers that turning 40 is the new 30 the way he looked inside that squared circle dismantling the much younger Adrien Broner (33-4-1, 24 Kos) to retain his WBA “regular” Welterweight Title.

This bout was a beautiful display by Pacquiao but an embarrassing and disappointing one by Broner. Real Talk! Once again Broner failed to let his hands go or assert himself inside that squared circle. I’m not sure what “game plan” his corner had for him but in watching that fight I personally think Broner left the “game plan” back in the change room when the bout started. Real Talk! Broner did nothing but try to survive which was very hard to watch. All that trash talking and nothing to back it up. Broner showed absolutely no urgency throughout the entire bout and for that it cost him dearly.

As for Pacquiao, “the Professor” for the night, clearly schooled “the student” Broner with his aggression and quickness round by round. Pacquiao stuck to the “game plan” and administered a stiff and effective jab all night. There was absolutely no doubt that Pacquiao was the stronger, busier fighter landing the heavier shots when it counted.

In the end, the three Judges scored it 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112 for Paquiao. Nuff said!

Pacquiao still got the “juice” and is willing to keep going for as long as his body will allow him to. That being said, the Welterweight Division has been put on notice that the “Pacman” is out here looking for that smoke.

Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Marcus Browne vs Badou Jack”

WBC Light Heavyweight Eliminator and WBA Interim Light Heavyweight Title

In the co-feature, last night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, Marcus Browne (23-0, 16 Kos) asserted himself early in his bout against Badou Jack (22-2-3, 13 Kos) and never looked back. Real Talk!

Browne executed the “game plan” at hand perfectly to a “T” and boxed beautifully inside that squared circle. Browne showed to be ready and on point and didn’t miss a beat as the rounds wore on. Badou had no answers to Browne’s slick movements and it cost him early big time.

Clearly behind by the seventh round, Badou suffered a nasty gash in the middle of his forehead on an accidental head clash that had him looking like a warrior from Vikings – blood everywhere. Real Talk! This unexpected accident didn’t help Badou at all but it did make it harder for him to see his opponent.

That being said Browne stuck to the task at hand and continued to batter his wounded warrior all the way to the 12th round. I tip my “B” hat to Badou for withstanding the onslaught while being blinded by his own blood. Dude is a serious warrior hands down.

With this impressive and convincing win over an established highly ranked adversary, Browne has truly showed that he belongs among the top Light Heavyweight in the Division.

Browne now has options in front of him after winning the WBC Light Heavyweight Eliminator and picking up the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight Title.

Congratulations Marcus on your latest accomplishments. Your future is looking brighter by the day, keep it up.

Blaze