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

The NBA-Who’s On Top?

We are officially passed the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and with the successful completion of the second NBA In-Season Tournament, now dubbed the Emirates NBA Cup, proving that even with a bad start at the beginning of the season you can still have enough time to change the negative to a positive.
Although the NBA ratings are down this year, the added Emirates NBA Cup cash prize brought life to all participating teams and raised the competition to an NBA Playoff level type vibe.

The two teams who represented their respective coasts for this Emirates NBA Cup in Las Vegas were the No. 5 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) for the Eastside and No.1 Seeded Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) for the Westside. Staged on a neutral floor, both teams balled out like it was the NBA Finals and made the game that much hyper, but it was the Bucks who showed up and played with that hunger and armed with a two-time League MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo determined to lead the way by making his presence felt with his 26 points, 19 boards and 10 assists on the night. Giannis walked it like he talked and delivered on his promise on claiming the Emirates NBA Cup for the Bucks by defeating a very gamed Oklahoma City Thunder team who fell short on the night. Hopefully the Bucks can use this accomplishment as momentum and build towards their main goal of another NBA Championship.

In Season Tournament aside, the true and surprising team holding down the No. 1 Spot is none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4). Them Boys are looking stronger and stronger game by game improving on every aspect on the floor. The defending Champions the Boston Celtics (21-5) are proven and still the team to beat and are well-equipped for the long haul this early in the season. The New York Knicks (16-10) with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson and an improved team defense, are prime to keep things interesting. The Orlando Magic (17-11) is surprisingly in the mix with a young nucleus competing night in and night out. The Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) fresh off winning the Emirates NBA Cup, the momentum is on their side, now its up to them stay in the running and keep climbing up with Giannis in top MVP form. The Miami Heat (13-11), the Atlanta Hawks (14-13), the Indiana Pacers (12-15) and the Chicago Bulls (12-15) are all still in the running but gotta fight hard in these early stages to maintain a spot.

As for the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) may have fallen short in the Emirates NBA Cup Finals, but they still hold the No. 1 Spot in the competitive Western Conference looking like the team to beat. Let’s not get it twisted-them Boys are a powerhouse on any given night and with Shai Gilgeous Alexander leading the squad the sky is their only limit. The Memphis Grizzlies (18-9) are picking up steam with a healthy Ja Morant on the floor. Now it’s all about building their way to the top and maintaining a strong hold. The Houston Rockets (17-9) are just now getting it together and improving as a young unit game by game. They have the potential and the goods to stay competitive all season long. The Dallas Mavericks (17-9) are steadily getting it together with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving gelling game by game with their supporting cast playing their positions. Them Boys will remain a threat throughout the season. The Denver Nuggets (14-10) are not to be overlooked. Them Boys are going through the motions right now but remain in contender status and could easily take over the Western Conference at any time with Nikola Jokić averaging 30 points, 13 boards and 10 assists leading the pack. The Phoenix Suns (14-11) are definitely in the mix for contender contention but only if the 3 headed shooters Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal can stay healthy long enough to maintain a position in the running. Real Talk! As for the Golden State Warriors (14-11), the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11), the LA Clippers (15-12), and the Los Angeles Lakers (14-12), any one of these competitive teams could easily move up in the tough Western Conference so don’t be surprised at an inevitable shuffle in the future standings.

Stay locked to another interesting Season.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA Season 2024/2025”

NBA Season 2024/2025

With the Boston Celtics regaining control by winning last year’s 2024 NBA Championship, the Celtics’ once again have a target on their backs and getting back to the promised land will not be an easy task this go around. However, with their team still intact with the same squad that got them their NBA leading 18 Championships, this team will definitely be looking to defend their hard-earned crown while welcoming all challengers from the East/West trying to block them of achieving back-to-back Championship glory.

The Eastern Conference has gained some significant ground with the Larry O’Brien trophy residing on their side for the time being but aside from the Defending Champions Boston Celtics, the jury is still out on who out of the Eastern Teams will come out the pack and pose a legitimate threat to the Celtics.

The New York Knicks have done a major upgrade by adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to run aside a battle tested squad of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson. Giving the formidable starting 5, they will have to put in some serious work as a full unit in order to eclipse their previous successful year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers showed us once again that them Boys can ball during the regular season but they keep falling short in the playoffs. The Cavs just need to keep that same energy throughout the season and the postseason long enough to prove the naysayers wrong. I have them on the come up this year.

The Milwaukee Bucks are still amongst the top dogs in the East any given year with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the pack but them Boys as a squad need to get it together asap in order to stay in the championship race.

The Philadelphia 76ers picked up Paul George to play alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey giving them their “Big Three” that is going to terrorize the league and give them a legitimate chance to compete for a Championship only if they can stay healthy enough for a long but competitive run.

The Indiana Pacers defied all odds last year by competing with the “Big Boys” night in and night out all the way to the Conference Finals but fell short due to injuries but with a healthy squad I expect these Boys to wreak havoc once again and outdo their previous year.

As for the remaining Eastern Conference teams the Miami Heat, the Atlanta Hawks, the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards there is too much uncertainty surrounding these teams at this point but hopefully throughout the season they will be able to show their true identity to stake their claim.

The Western Conference continues to bear the mantle of the strongest conference, hands down, but newer faces keep moving up shaking up the conferences from top to bottom.

The Oklahoma City Thunder who “Started from the Bottom to the Top” all the way to the Western Conference Finals may have fallen short of an NBA Final but have all the right ingredients to find their way back to championship contention with the added experience earned and a Bonafide superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading this young squad making this team must see TV on any given night.

The Dallas Mavericks reached the NBA Finals last year and with added fire power in Klay Thompson running aside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and their solid supporting cast, if all healthy, anything less than reaching the NBA Finals and getting a crack at the Championship would be considered a failure. That being said be prepared for some serious balling to be going down with this squad.

The Denver Nuggets and their three-time MVP Nikola Jokic can never be counted out the mix. This team is solid from top to bottom. Although they may have lost a few good contributors to the team, they still have the experience needed to compete with the young and the old on any given night.

The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to make some serious noise this year with a healthy and slimmed down Zion Williamson leading the pack of solid veterans with a mix of youngins watching his back, them Boys might just be able to play spoiler if all goes well.

The Phoenix Suns have the shooters in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to outscore any team on any given night but have yet to show their full potential due to injuries. Hopefully they can put it all together this year and give us a good run in the Western Conference.

The Minnesota Timberwolves took the league by storm last year by being competitive on both ends of the floor and secured the third seed in a very tough Western Division. With Anthony Edwards steadily improving year by year alongside a motivated squad, them Boys should be able to continue their rise to the top of the food chain at a steady pace.

As for the remainder of the Western Conference Teams the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs, the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers, the Jury is still out. No Western team can truly be counted out even if dead last and judging by how the usual suspects have fallen only time will tell which team will find their way out of the pack and back into contention status.

Tune in on opening night Tuesday October 22, 2024, and be part of an intense but intriguing new NBA Season 2024/2025.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2024 NBA FINALS CHAMPIONS”

2024 NBA Champions

The Boston Celtics continued to stay true to their character and their No. 1 Seed by closing out the NBA Finals 4-1 with a dominant performance win over the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics just added to their history by collecting their 18th Championship for their franchise and their first since 2008.

The Celtics, led by Jason Tatum and series MVP Jaylen Brown, were simply too much to overcome. Them two young and gifted athletes carried their tough squad to the promised land and delivered on their biggest night and did not drop the ball. Real Talk!

It was close out time and they did the job. The Boston squad knew what was at the end of the tunnel and as a unit wanted it more than the Mavericks who failed to keep up and never able to get back into the game when the Celtics came out the gate.

Simply put, it the Mavericks got outplayed, outgunned and out hustled by the better team.
The Celtics owned the NBA regular season and maintained the momentum to a dominant Playoff run all the way to conquering the NBA Finals to now being crowned the NBA Champion of the NBA Season 2024.

Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for completing a very convincing season from start to finish. You Boys earned this one Hands down!

Well Done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2024 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2024 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

The mission remains the same. The well-rested No. 1 Seed Boston Celtics have kept true to their strong standing throughout the first and second round of the Playoffs by dismantling the likes of the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers to convincingly securing their rightful position for their next challenge in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Next in line at attempting to derail the Celtics are the pesky No. 6 Seed Indiana Pacers fresh off a game 7 series win over the No. 2 Seed New York Knicks on enemy territory to secure their opportunity at shocking the world in their first Conference Finals since 2014.

The Pacers keep proving their resiliency when counted out and always bringing their best foot forward under the brightest of lights. Having never been in this position in quite some time, these fearless Pacers will be looking yet again at to defy the odds to their favor as their confidence keeps growing series by series. The Celtics, with their experience alone, are favored to prevail but these valiant Pacers have defied the odds twice already and have plans at continuing the trend in this upcoming series.

Tune in the night of Tuesday May 21, 2024, for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. When the dust settles, who will emerge victorious and have the right of passage to the NBA Finals?

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2024 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2024 NBA Western Conference Finals

With the No. 1 Seed Oklahoma City Thunder and No. 2 Seed Defending Champs Denver Nuggets officially expelled out of the Playoffs, a new face will be crowned to represent the Western Conference at the completion of this year’s Western Conference Finals.

The No. 3 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves needed a Game 7 to dispatch of the Defending Champs Denver Nuggets but with the experience earned throughout that tough series and momentum firmly on their side, these can be key factors in helping them overcome the No. 5 Seed Dallas Mavericks who themselves needed a Game 6 to dispatch of No. 1 Seed Oklahoma City Thunder to secure their spot as well.

Although the Wolves don’t possess the Playoff experience the Mavericks will be coming in with, they do have the NBA’s meanest defense when focussed at the task at hand. Both teams have the young personnel bubbling for super stardom and the capability to take over games. Anthony Edwards is looking at making a name for himself and the Timberwolves in this series while the tough one two punch of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way for the Mavericks, they will be looking to offset whatever the Wolves throw their way.

As great as Anthony Edwards is turning out to be he will need the help of his entire squad to slow down and dispatch this fiery Mavericks squad in order to move on to the NBA Finals.

The intrigue is at an all-time high in the Western Conference Playoffs so tune in the night of Wednesday, May 22, 2024, for Game 1 and witness the drama unfold.

Who you got?

Blaze

ON The Watch “It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS”

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

With the first round officially over, we can now set our attention on the second round of action where the No. 1 Seeded Boston Celtics took down the pesky Miami Heat in 5 games. Patiently waiting for their next target to be announced which now we know will be the No. 5 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers who needed a game 7 to dispatch of a very gamed Orlando Magic. The Celtics have proven all year long that they were playing levels above their competition. On paper, this should be an easy series for the Celtics but if Donavan Mitchell and the rest of the Cleveland squad can keep up their momentum and not let themselves be bullied by the Celtics, they could make something special happen here and silence the naysayers who have already counted them out.

The No. 2 Seeded New York Knicks are still in the game and balling hard without the services of key player Julius Randle due to injuries but were still able to fend off the Philadelphia 76ers in 6 games with the stellar play of Jalen Brunson who has been balling out of his mind to keep the Knicks in contention. With the No. 6 Seed Indiana Pacers also needing 6 games to dispatch of a wounded Milwaukee Bucks team, they have shown us they have absolutely no problem taking advantage of an injured squad to get to their destination of the NBA Finals. This Pacers’ squad is tough and resilient when push comes to shove so I expect a serious battle come game night where the Knicks will have to bring the “NEW YORK” style of play to stay alive and competitive in this series. Definitely an interesting matchup to pay attention to. Real Talk!

Tune in this Monday night May 6, 2024, for round two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The 73rd 2024 NBA All-Star Game”

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game

This year, the 73rd annual NBA All-Star Game will be hosted in Indiana at the Indiana Convention Center February 18, 2024, and will feature the return of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference classic matchup and traditional scoring system with four 12-minute quarters. The starters were chosen by the fans (50%), the players (25%) and the media (25%). The 30 NBA coaches selected the 14 reserves. The Western and returning leading vote-getter from the fans is Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and the Eastern returning leading vote-getter from the Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo will once again serve as Captains of their respective Conferences.

Representing the Western Conference “Team LeBron” Starters this year are:

-LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Team Captain
-Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
-Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
-Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Reserves

-Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
-Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
-Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
-Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
-Paul George (LA Clippers)
-Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers)
-Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Coach Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Representing the Eastern Conference “Team Giannis” Starters this year:

-Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Team Captain
-Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)(injury replacement player Bam Adebayo)
-Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
-Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
-Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks)

Reserves

-Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
-Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
-Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
-Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
-Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
-Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
-Julius Randle (New York Knicks)(injury replacement player-Trae Young)

Coach Doc Rivers (Milwaukee Bucks)

With the return of the traditional format back into play, the old-school atmosphere
of the NBA All-Star game will be in full effect vibe wise in the building at the Indiana Convention Center Sunday night February 18, 2024. “King of the Court” will be up for grabs once again, which squad will claim “GAME” when it’s all said and done.

Tune in and enjoy the entire festivities of the weekend starting February 16 to February 18, 2024 on NBA TNT.

On The Watch “It’s All About 2023 NBA FINALS CHAMPIONS”

2023 NBA CHAMPIONS

Nikola Jokic has finally reached the mountain top of the 2023 NBA Season by closing out game 5 of the NBA Finals as best he could with a solid 28 points and 16 boards bailing out the squad as they were struggling heavily to maintain their hold on securing their first NBA Championship in franchise History.

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Jokic. This Dude’s strong mentality and solid composure throughout the NBA Season, the NBA Playoffs and the NBA Finals were levels above his peers, hands down. History was in the making the moment this year NBA Finals started. Jokic became the first player in history to lead the league in points (600), boards (269) and dimes (190) in a single postseason while practically averaging a triple-double per game, collecting averages of 30 points, 13.5 boards and 9.5 dimes. Worthy and deserving of the Bill Russell trophy as well as the NBA Finals MVP.

Record breaking accolades aside, Jokic couldn’t have completed these historical feats without a healthy Jamal Murray to release some of the responsibility and a driven and motivated squad that showed how battle tested they were throughout the entire Season with only one common goal in mind: the NBA Championship that they have now collected as a team.

The Heat should still keep their heads up high, real talk! Although they fell short once again at claiming the NBA Championship, they became the only second No. 8 Seed to make it to the NBA Finals after running through some very tough opposition. They balled hard night after night on both ends of the court but were met with a better team destined to enter the record books.

Congratulations to the Denver Nuggets for emerging as the NBA Champions of the NBA Season 2023. You Boys dominated the NBA Playoffs and the Finals in such a convincing fashion that the Championship could not be denied.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2023 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2023 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

The No. 2 Seed Boston Celtics put a beating on the 76ers today to secure their position at the Eastern Conference Finals pinning them once again for the second following season against the No. 8 Seed Miami Heat.

This is an Eastern Conference rematch that saw Miami fall short on their quest succumbing to Boston in a game seven last year but these are different times this time around. The Celtics have proven to be the team to beat all season long. They are determined to reach the NBA Finals and once again hoist that Championship Crown but one major obstacle ahead is the rejuvenated heat seekers Miami.

The Heat have already taken down the No. 1 Seed Milwaukee and the No. 5 seed Knicks in a very convincing fashion proving to be every bit ready to tackle their biggest hurdle who have prevented them from ever reaching the NBA Finals.

Miami is walking into this battle as the underdog but the hunger that this team displays on the court says different. They are the 8 Seed this time around looking to defy and upset the betting favourites Boston Celtics on the biggest stage. The odds are definitely stacked against them but the Heat wouldn’t have it any other way.

Miami beating the Celtics is history in the making but Boston would rather be the last team standing when it’s all said and done.

That said both teams match up well at every corner making this series that much more intriguing than the previous years. Tune in this Wednesday night to see which team will have kept the momentum going in their favor.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2023 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2023 NBA Western Conference Finals

The NBA’s version of the Final 4 is set to start this Tuesday night May 16, 2023 in the Western Conference, with the No. 1 Seed Denver Nuggets still going strong and ready to fend off the Play-In Tournament survivor Los Angeles Lakers who are fresh off a solid game six series win with the Golden State Warriors.

The way the season went on for the Lakers this year nobody expected them to crack the Playoffs let alone reach the Western Conference but they are here now and ready to rekindle the rivalry of their 2020 Western Conference Finals where the Lakers prevailed and eventually took the Crown that year.

Times have changed and this version of the Nuggets has gained massive experience and has a much healthier squad this time around to compete with the Lakers who have been playing some serious impressive ball as of late and will show resistance when push comes to shove.

The way the Lakers dismantled the No. 2 Seed Grizzlies and the Defending Champion Warriors is proof enough that the Lakers mean business and are quite motivated to win another NBA Championship but they have a formidable opponent that they must go through first in the Denver Nuggets, making this particular series must see TV.

Tune in this Tuesday night May 16, 2023 for game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals.

Blaze