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

And The New

Our Team from up North, The Toronto Raptors, has been cementing their names in the History books all season long but last night the Raptors officially stamped and branded themselves by dethroning the three-time Defending Champs Golden State Warriors on their own floor to now being crowned this year’s 2019 NBA Champion. Unbelievable!

The injury depleted Warriors fought hard all series and up until the last minute but ran out of ammunition to the stronger, more determined squad that had this year’s two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard leading the way. Kawhi played out of his mind and with a chip on his shoulder throughout the Playoffs. Kawhi had something to prove and he wanted to be heard and seen doing it. I tip my “B” to the entire team for playing hard all year long, but truth be told Kawhi was the one missing piece that made this amazing year possible. Kawhi is a game changer who dominated all sides of the game averaging 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the Playoff run, and when healthy he proved to be one of the top NBA players in the game today. Real Talk!

24 Years in the making while going through the tough times and the good times, the Toronto Raptors franchise has finally achieved the pinnacle point of being crowned this year’s 2019 NBA Champions. For the first time in NBA History, the Larry O’Bryan Trophy will rest up North in Canada.

Congratulations to our Canadian team the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors had themselves an amazing season, it’s only right that they finished the year crowned “King of the NBA Court 2019”. Respect due to the baddest squad, you Boys have now officially tipped the landscape of the NBA.

Blaze

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

NBA FINALS 2019

This is history in the making. Our own Canadian team the Toronto Raptors went toe to toe with the No. 1 team in the league, The Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Our Raptors were down 2-0 to turning things around and winning the series 4-2. It wasn’t an easy task but them Raptors played their hearts out and laid it all on the court and mentally and physically dismantled the Bucks in a very convincing fashion. The Raptors’ resilience on offence and defence was next to none and for that, Toronto became the first Canadian team to reach NBA Finals. These Raptors have a complete squad who are geared up to do battle against the best of the best. The addition of Kawhi Leonard has improved this team dramatically and definitely gave them a different swag that is clearly paying off.

The Raptors have passed every test on the Eastern side but the biggest and final test of them all awaits them in the form of the Western Conference three-time Defending Champions Golden State Warriors. The Warriors aren’t at full strength coming into the NBA Finals but they still own the rights to the Throne until proven otherwise. That being said, the Warriors are once again chasing history. Being able to three-peat is a rare feat and if they were to accomplish that, their legacy would speak volumes.

In the public’s eyes, the Warriors are now viewed as the more vulnerable team since the Raptors’ momentum is on a high. This will be the Warriors fifth trip to the Finals in the last five seasons to the Raptors first time under the brightest lights and the biggest stage of their existence. The pressure will be high for both teams but I can’t front, the familiar grounds and the experience that the Warriors carry make it real hard to go against the Defending Champs. If the Raptors want to continue writing their names in the history books, they will have to take the Crown from the Warriors.

So, tune in Thursday night, May 30, 2019 for Game 1 in Toronto at the Scotiabank Arena, which will become the first city outside of the United States to entertain an NBA Finals game.

Blaze

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

2019 NBA CONFENCE FINALS

It’s about that time: the NBA’s version of the Final 4 is set to start tonight in Oakland in the Western Conference, when the Defending Champions, the No. 1 seeded Golden State Warriors will be looking to reach the finals by going ball for ball against the 3rd seeded Portland Trail Blazers. Both teams are coming in wounded but driven to reach the Finals by any means necessary. I’m anticipating a serious shootout between them two teams and for the guard play to be a major factor considering both team’s backcourt is their most noticeable strength. The Warriors have been looking vulnerable during this year’s Playoff run but are still considered the favourite to come out of the West. That being said, you can’t count the Blazers out, them boys have been on a mission to silence all the doubters. The Blazers have been balling out of their minds and their swag is on 100 right now. The Blazers have been battle tested during this Playoff run. Now it’s time for them to keep that momentum going long enough to reach the NBA Finals. Tune in this Tuesday night May 14, 2019 and witness the Western Conference shootout under the bright lights!

The No. 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks have been dominating all year and haven’t lost a step during their Playoff run to date. Them Boys only lost one game during the first two series of the Playoffs. The Bucks have arrived and are determined to complete their “Cinderella” year by reaching the NBA Finals and seizing that Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy. That being said, our very own No. 2 seeded Canadian team The Toronto Raptors, have their own dreams and aspirations of them also reaching the NBA Finals and seizing that Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy for themselves. This Eastern Conference Finals will be must watch TV at its best. Real Talk! While Milwaukee cruised their way to the Conference Finals, the Raptors needed a heroic game 7 in their second round to secure their seat at the table. Although both teams match up pretty well, I think the deciding factors will fall on the respective play of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard. Them two have been playing on some next level. We’ve seen Kawhi’s clutch play at this level. He’s been here before now its for the rest of the team to follow his lead. As for Giannis “The Greek Freak”, this is his first time going deep into the Playoffs, but you wouldn’t be able to tell the way he’s been “Ballin”. Giannis has looked unstoppable as of late making this match up that much more intriguing. So, tune in Wednesday night May 15, 2019 and see who will be repping the East come Finals time.

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 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 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 sitting at the top above all for the moment is our own Canadian team The Toronto Raptors with a 18-4 record. I didn’t anticipate this great start from the Raptors considering the dramatic changes that were made over the summer but “DAMN”, the addition of Kawhi Leonard has them Boyz swagged up in a different way. Real Talk. It’s still early in the season but as of right now this team is looking on point on offence and defence. The Milwaukee Bucks are surprisingly tearing it up with some much-improve play cause them Boys have been “Ballin outrageous” with a respectable 15-6 record to date. The hunger and the talent are there now it’s just about keeping a steady healthy momentum throughout the season and these Boyz can certainly be a threat to any team. The Philadelphia 76ers have had an up and down start but managed a 15-8 record to date. With the latest addition of Jimmy Butler to the squad the 76ers will now have a solid set of 3 all-stars in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Expectation will be high for them three to gel quickly and turn things around. Peeps keep talking about the Eastern Conference being weak but Real Talk, the Division is still competitive. The Pacers’ 13-8 record, The Pistons’ 11-7 record and The Hornets’ 11-10 record are all keeping it real interesting. Now what I’m most surprised by is the play of The Boston Celtics with their record of 11-10. Unbelievable! Now I know it’s still early in the Season, but them Boyz need to get it together asap and start ballin. There’s way too much talent on that team to be sitting at the borderline like that. Real Talk!

The heated Western Conference is an early roller coaster ride with some teams playing musical chairs in the standings so far. Still premature into the Season, The Los Angeles Clippers are surprisingly holding on to the No. 1 Spot with a 14-6 record. These Boyz are ballin with a chip on their shoulders trying to prove the naysayers not to take them lightly with their revamped roster. The Defending Champs Golden State Warriors have taken an early set back with Steph Curry and Dramond Green who’ve been out of the line up for a few games. They’ve been able to sustain themselves for now with a 15-7 record, but truth be told they need Curry and Green back asap if they want another crack at the gold again. I know Its still early into the season, but the West is too strong of a Division to be hobbling around. The Denver Nuggets have dramatically improved on both side of the court and are breathing down all opponents’ necks with their record of 14-7 to date. They have a good thing going on over there and only time will tell if they’re for real with it. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 13-7 record, Portland Trail Blazers’ 13-8 record, Memphis Grizzlies’ 12-8 record and The Los Angeles Lakers’ 11-9 record, are all bubbling teams that can intertwine and change position amongst the standings at any given time. That’s how tight this Division is. Surprisingly, The Houston Rockets are on the outside looking in with their disappointing start of 9-11 record. They were hit early with games missed by James Harden and Chris Paul as of late. I’m not counting these Boyz out just yet, but they absolutely need to get it together and play catch up Basketball sooner rather then later. The Western Conference is an endless race that can leave you behind in no time, good or bad.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA Season 2018/2019”

The NBA Season is set to start this upcoming Tuesday night October 16, 2018, and the back-to-back Defending Champs Golden State Warriors will be looking to start the season once again as the team to beat. The Warriors still have the tightest squad across the board. Them “Boyz” are truly battle tested and are destined for another unforgettable journey-type NBA Season. Real Talk!

The Houston Rockets will be looking to pick up where they left off last season. The Rockets were one game away from dethroning the Defending Champs but fell short when it counted the most. That being said, the Rockets have reloaded and are ready to give another memorable run at it with no excuses. Them “Boyz” can ball in Houston and it’s time to put it all together and show out.

The Los Angeles Lakers will be coming from the bottom to the top with their latest addition of LeBron James. The “King” has officially taken his talent to the WESTSIDE. This Dude joining the Lakers is beyond a game changer. LeBron’s track record has shown us in the past that his presence brings success and high expectations. That being said the Western Conference is the toughest side to ball in and only time will tell if the Lakers will have enough ammunition to compete at the top of the Western Conference.

It’s clear and understood that the Western Conference is no cake walk for any team, but expect the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and the rest of the western teams to compete every night at a high level in the hopes of establishing themselves as the next team on the come up!

With the departure of “King James” to the Western Conference, the Eastern Conference is now open season. The most notable team expecting to strong hold the Division is the healthy -looking Boston Celtics. With their full squad intact for the upcoming season their sole destination is nothing short of the NBA Finals. The rumblings have already started. Boston vs Golden State has already been mentioned as a possible NBA Finals.

That being said the Eastern Conference has showed much improvement the last few years. Our own Canadian team the Toronto Raptors will be looking to recapture their No.1 Spot from last year, as well as the steady play of Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons. These teams seem to have it going on the right track at being competitive enough to make it interesting. Any one of these teams can give Boston a good run for their money, but the question still remains, which team will step up to the plate and deliver the goods.

Tune in Tuesday night October 16, 2018 and be part of the “New Wave” taking over the league.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2018 NBA FINALS CHAMPIONS”

BACK 2 BACK

It was written. The Golden State Warriors, in a blowout road win, completely annihilate The Cleveland Cavaliers by finishing them off in a sweep (4-0) to claim their first Back-To-Back Championship!! With this win Golden State join the Bulls, the Lakers the Celtics as the only NBA franchise to win three or more Championships in a four-year period.

Them Warriors came out with a game plan and executed it to a “T”. Real Talk! The “Hampton’s 5” and company were focus, ready and loaded to hand the Cavs their last game of the 2018 NBA Finals. I gotta tip my “B” hat to Cleveland, “King James” and his Cavaliers gave it a good run throughout the NBA Playoffs and the Finals but this Warriors squad was just too much for any team to handle. Real Talk!

The Warriors came into the Playoffs vulnerable but finished the series and the Finals strong and confident like the Champions they knew they were. There are levels to this sh*t and The Warriors are living proof of that.

Bron Bron put up some crazy MVP numbers over the four games with an average of 34 points, 10, assists and 8.5 rebounds but the 2018 Finals MVP was awarded to Kevin Durant for his Back-to-Back Bill Russell Trophy with an average of 28,8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. He was unquestionably the most consistent player for his team this series.

Personal accolades aside, it takes a serious squad to win an NBA Finals Championship and The Golden State Warriors were just that a cohesive squad with exceptional group of players with one common goal in mind. A Dynasty in the making.

Congratulation Golden State on becoming this Year’s 2018 NBA Champions!! Once again the Larry O’Bryan Trophy will rest in the West.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About NBA FINALS 2018”

2018 NBA FINALS

The number 2 and the number 4 seed representing their respective coast are set to do battle this Thursday night May 31, 2018.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Reigning Defending Champions Golden State Warriors will once again go head to head against the Cleveland Cavaliers in another dual of the NBA Finals. Both teams needed a game 7 this time around to reach the NBA Finals. King James and his newly revamped squad will be looking for some payback for failing to beat the Warriors last year but this year “Hampton’s 5” (hopefully with a healthy Andre Iguodala) seemed to be clicking at the right time.

Real Talk, I can’t front at the Cavaliers plays to date, LeBron’s got them Boys thinking they’re the sh*t! The squad that he’s rocking with is a challenge within itself. Aside from that Bron Bron has been playing out of his mind to bring this team to the Finals.

That being said the Warriors are chasing history with their own squad too. It’s been a bumpy road compared to their previous Championship run but truth be told them Boys look ready and loaded for the challenge ahead. Them Boys came from being down 3-2 to the Houston Rockets to secure their spot to the NBA Finals.

Injuries played a part on both teams throughout the regular season but still here they are again adding their mark to the history of the NBA Finals in being the only two teams to meet in the Finals four straight times in a row, something like an ever-ending rivalry.

The Warriors are slated as heavy favorites to repeat as the 2018 NBA Champions against the Cleveland Cavaliers but actions speak louder than words, so tune in Thursday night May 31, 2018 and see which team will prevail and get it popping under the bright lights of the NBA Finals.

Blaze