On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA – The Restart “

Due to the Covid-19 epidemic that’s been affecting the World as of late, the NBA was forced to lean back for a few months to now finally being able to get the green light as per the NBA’s Board of Governors, to officially resume play this Thursday July 30, 2020 and conclude August 14, 2020.

A lot has changed since the last NBA Game in March 2020. To stop the spread of Covid-19, games will be played inside a quarantine-safe site without fans at Orlando, Florida’s Walt Disney World aka “the Bubble”.

A total of 22 teams will be in Orlando Florida. The 16 teams currently in the Playoff position and six teams within six games of the No. 8 seed, in either conference.

Eastern Conference

1-Milwaukee Bucks (53-12)
2-Toronto Raptors (46-18)
3-Boston Celtics (43-21)
4-Miami Heat (41-24)
5-Indiana Pacers (39-26)
6-Philadelphia 76ers (39-26)
7-Brooklyn Nets (30-34)
8-Orlando Magic (30-35)
9-Washington Wizards (24-40)

Western Conference

1-Los Angeles Lakers (49-14)
2-Los Angeles Clippers (44-20)
3-Denver Nuggets (43-22)
4-Utah Jazz (41-23)
5-Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24)
6-Houston Rockets (40-24)
7-Dallas Mavericks (40-27)
8-Memphis Grizzlies (32-33)
9-Portland Trail Blazers (29-37)
10-New Orleans Pelicans (28-36)
11-Sacramento Kings (28-36)
12-San Antonio Spurs (27-36)
13-Phoenix Suns (26-39)

The eight seeding games will continue each day through August 14, 2020 to determine Playoff positioning. The postseason will follow the traditional format with the best-of-seven-game series all the way through the NBA Finals.

The stakes have gone up for the remainder of the 2019/2020 NBA Season. The challenges of having to deal with the high risk of Covid-19 and staying and playing out the rest of the NBA Season in one location is going to be quite the experiment to say the least but one I am very curious to see the outcome of.

Tune in on TNT Thursday night July 30, 2020 and be part of the “Restart” of the second half of the NBA Season 2019/2020.

Blaze

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

The NBA-Who’s on Top?

We are at the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and both the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference have been playing some serious early competitive ball to jump start this NBA season 2019/2020.

The Milwaukee Bucks are taking claim of the No. 1 Spot on the Eastside for the time being with an impressive start of 20-3 record. The Bucks have been looking good and playing hard on both ends of the floor and although we are early in the season, they are definitely seeking to hold onto that No. 1 spot. The Boston Celtics’ 16-5 record is a well-balanced squad with Kamba Walker now leading the show and definitely keeping it interesting with their play. The surprising play of the Miami Heat 17-6 has made things very interesting.With the addition of Jimmy Butler, the Heat have improved dramatically in a competitive way. Without Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, our own Canadian Team the Defending Champs the Toronto Raptors 15-7 have managed to stay competitive at both ends of the floor and they’re not showing any signs of folding under any pressure of the competitive Eastern Conference. That being said, the Philadelphia 76ers 17-7 and the Indiana Pacers 15-8 are not to be overlooked.

The Los Angeles Lakers are also taking claim of the No. 1 Spot on the Westside with their own impressive start of 21-3 records. The powerful combination plays of LeBron James and Anthony Davis creating havoc on both ends of the court is this year’s version of showtime. The Lakers are looking to hold on to their No. 1 Spot but doing so will not be easy. The Dallas Mavericks 16-7 are surprisingly climbing up the rankings with their steady play as of late. They have a deceiving squad that can hang with the best of them on any given night. The Los Angeles Clippers 17-7 have all the goods and can turn things around in a blink of an eye. The combination of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is certainly keeping this team in the running. The Houston Rockets 15-7 are not to be taking lightly. As long as they stay focused and competitive, they can duke it out with the best of them on any given night. The Western Conference is a battle within itself. That being said the Denver Nuggets 14-7 and Utah Jazz 13-10 can’t be slept on just yet.

Stay tuned in. This NBA Season is full of surprises.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA Season 2019/2020”

The NBA Season 2019/2020

The NBA Season is set to start this upcoming Tuesday October 22, 2019, and our own newly crowned Canadian Defending Champs the Toronto Raptors will be looking to start the season right where they left off. However, they will be looking to repeat without their star player and Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. With Kawhi jumping ship, the Raptors’ chances of repeating have definitely slimmed down but with the emergence of last year’s Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam they may have found another go to player to help them restore the balance needed to get back to the Finals and defend their Championship.

With the season that they had last year the Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to bounce right back into contention considering that their squad is still intact with a few new faces to help maintain their status quo as one of the top teams that could possibly reach the Eastern Conference Finals if all goes right for them.

After falling short at the buzzer to the Toronto Raptors in the Easter Conference Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers had a hard look at their team and decided to fine-tune their roster to hopefully have that edge needed to conquer the Eastern Conference and set foot to the NBA Finals. As it stands right now, they may have the biggest starting line-up this year if all goes as planned with 6-5, 6-9, 6-10, and a big mobile 7-footer. Defence this year should not be a problem, but Philly will definitely be gunning for that No. 1 Spot. Their time is now.

The lack of chemistry that the Boston Celtics displayed last year cost them dearly and with the departure of Kyrie Irving and Al Holford, they might have slipped a little but I’m not counting them boys out just yet. Coach Brad Stevens is a proven winner and with Kemba Walker now running the show along with a young athletic squad, the Celtics will still be in contention and may be the sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.

The Brooklyn Nets acquired Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant over the off season in a serious power move, but we won’t be able to see the two heavy hitters share the court together until possibly next season since Kevin Durant is expected to miss the entire 2019/2020 season recovering from his Achilles injury. I expect the Nets to be competitive but not ready yet to steal that No 1 Spot in the East.

That being said the Eastern Conference is still steadily improving. The Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards will keep it interesting throughout the season.

Out West the tables have changed dramatically, with the departure of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson sidelined until possibly after the All-Star break. The Golden State Warriors will have no breathing room or any easy nights in the Western Conference. This season might be their toughest to date. The Warriors are not ready to concede the season just yet. Counting them out with a healthy Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still holding it down until Klay comes back is not something I’m willing to bet against at this time.

The two LA teams have done some power moves of their own and in doing so may have reignited the Lakers/Clippers rivalry. The Los Angeles Lakers will start this season with a well-rested and healthy LeBron James and newly acquired Anthony Davis. The Lakers have revamped their squad and are already talking Championships. However, their neighboring team the Los Angeles Clippers have also added two valuable pieces to their already proven squad in the form of reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Now that was an unexpected chess move by the Clippers. Both teams have easily vaulted themselves into contention but in the WESTSIDE, nothing is as easy as it’s sounds. The road to the Western Finals is a never-ending gauntlet. There are quite a few contenders willing and ready to snatch that No. 1 Spot.

The Houston Rockets will be starting two former NBA MVP’s in James Harden and Russell Westbrook. This is an intriguing backcourt but one that I am definitely looking forward to seeing in action at this point in their careers. The pace that these two can play at might be the key that gives them the edge and push them over the hump.

The Denver Nuggets are no longer flying under the radar. That squad balled out of their minds last year and are determined to give it another run at the No. 1 Spot. These Kats have a well-balanced squad who plays that team ball the proper way. No game is an easy game against them. They have arrived and are definitely in the mix.

Fresh off their Western Conference Finals showing, the Portland Trail Blazers have retooled their squad to give it another run. Their goal remains the same as all the top contenders in the Western Conference and that is Championship or bust. They have one of the best backcourts in the league in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Now it’s all about putting the right pieces together and making every game count.

Again, the Western Conference is so competitive that you cannot afford to sleep on any team on any given night. That being said, be on the lookout for the New Orleans Pelicans, the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks to ruffle up the pecking order and create their own havoc in the Western Conference.

Tune in Tuesday night October 22, 2019 and be part of one of the most interesting NBA Seasons.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS 2019”

2019 NBA PLAYOFFS

Once again, this NBA Season came down to the wire with teams aiming to position themselves for some tough matchups ahead of the Playoffs.
New faces have squeezed in this year to make the NBA’s version of the “sweet 16”. The struggle for “Supremacy” will be tested on both coasts.

This year Eastern Conference No. 1 Seed overall is the surging Milwaukee Bucks (60-22). Their record speaks for itself. They are the only team to finish with 60 wins this Season. Real Talk! The Bucks accomplished that feat in style dominating teams with superior offence and defence. With Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo leading the way with his MVP type play, we might just see a new team representing the East come the NBA Final.

That being said, our own Canadian team the Toronto Raptors are not quite ready to succumb to the Bucks just yet. The Raptors once again finished with an impressive record of (58-24). The second-best record overall. They too are battle tested and now have their own equalizer in Kawhi Lenord to help them get to the promised land of the NBA Finals.

The Eastern Conference teams are getting better and stronger year by year so the 3rd seeded 76ers (51-31), the 4th seeded Celtics (49-33) and the 5th seeded Pacers (48-34) are all determined to disrupt the outcome of the Eastern Conference Playoffs one way or another.

Representing the Western Conference with the No. 1 Seed is the Defending Champions Golden State Warriors (57-25). The Warriors had to battle a little harder this year but still managed to secure the No. 1 Seed over the rising play of the Denver Nuggets (54-28). As usual the Western Conference is competitive from 1 to 8. Real talk! The Blazers (53-29) have the 3rd seed while the Houston Rockets (53-29) have regained their mojo with their MVP candidate James Harden balling out of his mind. James definitely has a chip on his shoulders and the only way to release the stress is to have a good Playoff run all the way to the Finals. The Jazz, the Thunder, the Spurs and the Clippers are all in it to win it. The Warriors are looking to “three-peat” and cement their names in the record books but first must get through this Western shoot out.

Tune in Saturday April 13, 2019 and witness the outcome unfold right before our eyes. Game Time!!

Blaze

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 NBA PLAYOFFS 2018”

2018 NBA PLAYOFFS

Once again, this NBA Season was must watch TV from start to finish. REAL TALK!
Uncontrollable injuries and sudden surprising trades from East to West shifted the balance from good to bad depending on whom you’ve been rocking with from the jump. Whichever way you want to look at it two new faces from East to West claimed “Top Spot” at the end of this Season.

This year Eastern Conference No. 1 Seed is none other than our own Canadian Team The Toronto Raptors that finished the season with an impressive (59-23). This year The Raptors played with a different type of swag and competitive demeanor that wreaked havoc throughout the entire league. Them Boys are seriously aiming for that spot in the Finals to show the world what the North is all about. Real Talk.

The journey to the Finals won’t be a cakewalk judging by some of the new and old faces attempting to derail The Raptors on their quest. The bang-up Celtics, the young gunners of The 76ers, The Cavs and King James, The Pacers, The Heat, The Bucks and the 8th seeded Wizards all have a say in to how this Eastern Conference might play out.

Representing the Western Conference and the No. 1 Seed throughout the entire Playoffs is none other than The Houston Rockets with their imposing season of (65-17). Them Boys strait up snatched that No. 1 Spot from the Defending Champions Golden State Warriors (58-24). This year might just be theirs for the taking but judging how the West likes to roll I wouldn’t count the Defending Champs out just yet. The Warriors are walking into this year NBA Playoffs wounded but not ready to concede just yet. The Blazers, The Thunder, The Jazz, The Pelicans, The Spurs and the 8th seeded Timberwolves are all aiming to disrupt this year NBA Playoffs.

With this entire changeable outcome, I can’t wait to see that ball drop Saturday April 14, 2018 come Game Time!!

Tune In!!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About NBA Season 2016/2017”

The Newly Crowned Defending Champs Cleveland Cavaliers have cemented their names in the Record Book. The challenge for this upcoming Season is simple, repeating the same task. What sounds easy to say is unfortunately one of the hardest things to accomplish in any sport. REAL TALK! Cleveland will be the hardest Team to beat in the Eastern Conference hands down but will they be the Team to represent the EASTSIDE? Nuff

Teams have shuffled up their roster looking to compete. Our Canadian Team from ”Up North” The Toronto Raptors showed us last year what they were made off by reaching The Eastern Conference Finals but the improvements by Boston, New York, Chicago and Indiana make this Season even more interesting.

The most feared Team The Golden State Warriors, fell short of repeating last year but still remain the Team to beat with their latest acquisition signee in free agent Kevin Durant. All eyes will be on them and on how they perform as a unit. Anything short of an NBA Championship for them will be a disappointment, with that being said the Western Conference will most likely be a challenging warm up Season for them until June unless one of the contenders in The Spurs or The Clippers have something to say about it.

REAL TALK! Tune in this Tuesday night October 25, 2016 and be part of the “New Wave” taking over this NBA Season.

Blaze

On the Watch ” It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS 2014″

As expected this year’s 1st round showdown was must see TV with 4 teams East/West included, needing a game 7 to decide their faith on who moved on to the Conference Semifinals. With that being said the only 2 teams in the Playoff run coming in well rested for the second round are The Miami Heat who swept The Bobcats 4-0 and The Washington Wizards who outplayed The Chicago Bulls 4-1.

Now the “HYPE” continues for the second round, The Indiana Pacers will be going into battle with The Washington Wizards while The Defending Champs The Miami Heat face off with the only team they could not beat during the regular season, The Brooklyn Nets. REAL TALK!

The excitement alone surrounding this battle will undeniably be a series for the ages to come. (Reminiscing of the Heat/Celtics saga) the animosity these two competitive teams have for one another will be on display for all to see come Tuesday night May 6, 2014.

No rest for the West as each team took a longer journey into getting to the Conference Semis. The top seeded Spurs will be looking to slow down the hungry hot shooting Trail Blazers while L.A.’s newest representatives The Clippers will be battling it out with their Nemesis The Oklahoma Thunder.

This series will certainly be an exciting one to keep watch on considering how both teams are now finding a groove in team play well displayed by the way they both took convincing control of their opponents in the first round of an exhausting game 7.

Tune in Monday night May 5, 2014 and see who will be taking first crack at establishing their dominance at both end of the floor.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2013 NBA CONFERENCE FINALS”

NBA CONFERENCE FINALS

The NBA’s version of their Final 4 is about to start. The 2 teams representing the West Side in the Western Conference Finals this year is the No.2 seeded San Antonio Spurs and the fifth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. I have to tip my “B” hat to them Boys at Memphis cause these Dudes came to play. The way they dismantled the L.A. Clippers in the first round and then they out-hustled and eliminated the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City in five games in the second round, shows me that these Dudes are seriously thinking NBA Finals. REAL TALK! They have a well grounded Team orientate with an old school swagg that matches up very well with the 4 times defending Champs San Antonio Spurs, now its about defining who will be the chosen one to represent the West in the NBA Finals come June!

The 2 teams representing the East Side in the Eastern Conference Final this year is the No. 1 seeded defending NBA Champs Miami Heat and the 3rd seeded Indiana Pacers. I can’t front on them Dudes from Miami cause with only 1 lost between the first and second round combine, clearly shows me just how dominant and tight their game is. REAL TALK! Awaiting the Heat though is a hungry and determine Pacer team with a SERIOUS chip on their shoulders. The Heat eliminated the Pacers last May in the semifinals 4-2, with that being said the Indiana players are still choked over that series, therefore this rematch will most likely be quite exciting to see just how the Pacers plan on dethroning the defending Champs and take hold of that final spot in representing the East in the NBA Finals come June!

Let the Final 4 of the NBA Begin!!!

Blaze