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 well passed the midpoint mark for the season with 51 plus Games played to date and leading the entire league again this year is the Milwaukee Bucks (43-7). Them boys are on a redemption tour playing hard night in and night out from offence to defence. The Bucks are locked in and driven to get to the NBA Finals and the way they have been ballin all season it could very well be theirs for the taking. Our own Canadian team, the Defending Champions the Toronto Raptors (36-14) are surprisingly keeping it interesting considering the loss of their MVP Kawhi Lenard to the Clippers. The Raptors still have a solid squad that can definitely upset any team thinking that they are a walk over. The Boston Celtics (34-15) and the Miami Heat (34-15) are presently tied for third but either team could easily grab the No. 2 Seed with the way both teams have been playing as of late. They are both well- balanced teams who play hard ball from start to finish. The Indiana Pacers (31-19) and the Philadelphia 76ers (31-20) are both trying to hold down their respective spots for a Playoff seed but truth be told I personally expected Philly to be fighting for the 1 to 3 spot and not the lower seeds. That being said, there is still lots of ball to be played and the brackets could change come April.

With the Golden State Warriors forced to take a back seat this year, the Western Conference has a new face leading the pack with the Los Angeles Lakers (38-11). They started the season with the No. 1 spot and are still holding onto it thanks to the play of their two All Stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis helping to lead the way. That being said, holding onto the No. 1 spot won’t be that easy with The Los Angeles Clippers (35-15) chasing that No. 1 Seed and gunning for “king of the Los Angeles Court” with their two All Star players, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George getting it going come crunch time. The Denver Nuggets (35-16) are right there as expected and ready to take the No. 1 or the No 2 Seed if either Los Angeles team falter. The Nuggets may be overlooked here but they are definitely ballin the right way this season. The Utah Jazz (32-17) are bubbling at the right time securing their Playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference but holding onto their spot is a challenge within itself considering how tough the conference is. I expect a musical chair type seeding to happen within the remaining teams vying for a potential Playoff spot. The Houston Rockets (32-18), the Dallas Mavericks (31-19), the Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20) and the Portland Trail Blazers (23-28) all have a chance at a final run.

Just my thoughts.

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 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 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 The 2013 NBA Playoffs”

NBA Playoffs

It’s that time of the year again to show up or go home early REAL TALK! Any way you want to spin it, this year’s basketball season was a HELL of a surprise to me. REAL TALK! I would have never predicted the All-star Squad that the Lakers possessed this year would have been walking into the Western Conference playoffs as a seven seed or that my beloved Celtics would have been crawling their way into the playoffs in the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference. (Unreal!!) True say; uncontrolled injuries to key players definitely played a SERIOUS factor in this year’s season but if there’s one thing I can’t front on is the Miami Heat and their 3 Headed Monsters.

Them Dudes dominated through out the whole season REAL TALK! Their 27-Game winning streak put the league on notice that this year’s playoff is going to be EPIC. Them Dudes over there in Miami are looking HUNGRY for that O’Bryan Trophy. REAL TALK! Now the Million Dollar question is “Who is going to dethrone the Heat in their Quest to recapture that elusive peace of Gold?” Tune in to The NBA Playoffs, which are set to start this Saturday April 20, 2013. Let the Games begin!!!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About he 3-Headed Monsters (Wade, James and Bosh)”

 

The 3-Headed Monsters (Wade, James and Bosh) along with the rest of the team have finally reached the NEED and the WANT that had deprived them the previous year. I tip my “B” hat to the Miami Heat for prevailing in an astonishing fashion. “KINGS” of the 2011/2012 NBA finals; Bron Bron came in these series real focus and determined not to fail.

Homey filled up the stats sheets across the board with an average of 28.6 points, 10.2 boards and 7.4 dimes, the MVP of the series was definitely a no brainer REAL TALK! With 3 league MVP’s, one series MVP and an NBA Title now under his belt, Bron Bron has finally silent all his critics (and me) and earned his seat among the all times greats has one of the best who’s ever done it REAL TALK!

Blaze

On The Watch ” It’s All About Celtics-Heat Game 7″

Celtics-Heat Game 7 will forever be remembered has the end of an era. I tip my “B” hat to the Miami Heat and their 3 Headed Monsters (Wade, James and Bosh) for qualifying for the final spot of the NBA Finals. My Celtics gave it a good run but the Fantastic 4 (Rondo, Ray, Pierce and Garnett) and the rest of the team couldn’t close out the game and eventually fell to a better team on that night, but lets not get it twisted, REAL TALK my Celts went down fighting till the last call.

While everybody had counted them out before the playoffs started, my Celts showed the world and all their NAY Sayers what toughness along with real good team chemistry could accomplish as a Strong Unit. Even though my Celts came up short in their final quest, the Blue Print has already been set for the next generation of Celtics to come and take over from where this great Celtics team left off. “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” (Kevin Garnett voice)

Blaze

On The Watch “Celtics vs Heat Tuesday October 26, 2010”

On a side note For all NBA fans out there, there’s a must see game that real NBA heads can’t miss. My Celtics vs Heat Tuesday October 26, 2010 on national television. The New Big 3 of Miami will be facing off with the Original Big 3 of the Celtics in the TD Garden.

This will be a battle that will be nationally televised by TNT. There’s allot of talk right now that this season’s championship will be handed to the new Big 3 in Miami, but what the peeps need to realise is that Boston is one of the teams in the league that can seriously compete with the Heat about who will walk away Top Dog of the East.
After all, to be Top Dog of the league you have to beat the West which have the Lakers as the defending champions. GO Celtics!!

Blaze