"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

I love this time of year. The smell of spring, 'madness' and playoffs in the air. It's beautiful, really. A player hoping to enjoy the playoffs and this time of year is LeBron James. He is making his top bracket picks known but trying not to rustle any feathers at the same time. LeBron James says he still wants longtime favourite school Ohio State to win the 2011 NCAA title. He has a vested interest in declaring this publicly since this team wears the LeBron line of shoes and clothing. But if you go on his website, you'll see he picks Duke to win the final crown. Fan or not, this could also be considered another vested interest pick since Duke Head Coach Mike Kryzewski is also heading up USA Basketball's Men's National Team through to 2012. If LeBron James is looking to have an integral role on Team USA, this may be at least in the back of his mind inching forward. I do agree with LeBron when he says, "It's all fun. I love March Madness". So Happy St. Patrick's / March Madness Day to you and let the fun begin.

Last Thursday, I told you we would be continuing our playoff discussion the following Tuesday. It got bumped to today since there is just so much going on in the NBA right now and I am endeavouring to bring you the best of everything. In addition to our playoff discussion, we'll talk about Grant Hill taking on Jalen Rose and the Sacramento Kings moving in on Clippers and Laker territory.

"It's sad and pathetic"

Here we go. As we discussed Tuesday in "NBAz in 7 Dayz", there are many NBA players with special attachments to NCAA clubs. Grant Hill and Jalen Rose are no exception. So when an NBA colleague makes disparaging comments about your Alma mater, of course you are going to feel the need to respond. Grant Hill (former Duke Blue Devil) is criticizing Jalen Rose (former Michigan star) for saying Hill's old college team "only recruited black players that were 'Uncle Toms". Now, this is a pretty strong statement to make. In a recent documentary about Michigan's Fab Five, Jalen Rose made these comments saying he hated Duke back then and said the ACC program would never recruit someone like him. Grant Hill collects his thoughts and warns his colleagues and Michigan alumni in a New York Times column Wednesday: "fabulous five friends [should] avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped them back then for their appearance and swagger". A little tension among the ranks, perhaps? Maybe Jalen Rose is hanging on to the 1992 national title game when Duke beat Michigan? In any case, when you make emotionally-charged statements like that, you better be prepared to stand against the fire. I might not have used the words "sad" or "pathetic" to describe what Rose said but I can see why Grant Hill used them.

'We are but we aren't. Oh and no comment'

The Sacramento Kings are packing their bags and moving to Southern California - maybe. With the Kings contemplating a move to Anaheim, an attorney representing the team's owners filed for at least four federal trademark registrations this month. The names are not very eye- popping either: Anaheim Royals, Anaheim Royals of Southern California, Orange County Royals and Los Angeles Royals. This filing was made on March 3rd and attorney Scott Hervey (representing the owners of the Sacramento Kings) has not yet made any comments as of Thursday morning. This is where things go south for me. Not just because we already have a Clippers and a Lakers in Los Angeles but because the deadline has already passed for move applications. NBA Teams have until March 1st to apply to move their club the following season. The Kings now have an extension until April 18th to make their formal move application as per the NBA. So what is the league trying to say? For years, Sacramento has been against a publicly financed facility but the Sacramento Kings' owners, Joe and Gavin Maloof, think public funding crucial. Even Sacramento Mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson, thinks they are on their way out after having met with them last month, but says it is not yet a done deal. Although Major Johnson seems to be supporting the move, he also said the City of Sacramento will work to build a new arena for an NBA franchise "with or without the Kings". (Hmm. Representing the interests of his constituency or his personal connection to professional basketball?)

So if Sacramento has long said no to aiding in the construction of a new arena and now Major Johnson is open to the idea and that is what the Kings' owners wanted in the first place, why move now? It's the voting public in Sacramento. In 2006, voters turned down the idea to increase a sales tax to fund a new arena. The NBA stepped in and tried to help the city and the team find another solution to stay. But come the 2011 NBA All-Star weekend, David Stern said enough is enough and the league would no longer being investing any more time or energy on the matter - the Sacramento Kings were free to go. This is where it gets interesting. The city of Anaheim has been shopping around for an NBA club to share the Honda Center with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks since 1993. The Clippers almost considered teaming up with the Ducks but instead chose the Staples Center in 1999. So why are the Sacramento Kings and the NBA humming and hawing over this? I know there are board approvals, possible relocation fees and legalities to think about but if the city of Anaheim can embrace hockey, surely they can make room for the NBA.

Off to the playoffs

Here's a recap of my playoff picture as stated last week:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston Celtics over Indiana Pacers
Orlando Magic over Atlanta Hawks
New York Knicks over Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls over Philadephia 76ers

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio Spurs over Memphis Grizzlies
Oklahoma City Thunder over Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers over Portland Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks over New Orleans Hornets

I am confident in my picks except for two points: Miami and San Antonio. While I don't think based on their track record the inconsistent Heat can go the distance against teams in their playoff division, the inconsistent teams are sometimes the hardest to predict. Ask any defender and most will tell you it is easier to guard a stronger team or player because you almost always know what they are going to do next. The problem with this is making sure your conditioning and skill level can meet the standards needed to defeat said team. The Miami Heat have shown they can be strong but have also shown serious deficiencies, including metal toughness. While I chose the Lakers to be the NBA's Western Conference Champions this year, I hate to say it but the Spurs are ruffling the feathers a little. They are quietly doing all the little things to win games, not the most exciting (which is why they have remained under the radar) but all the right things. If the Lakers fall apart somehow (as they have shown this season - against the Cavaliers - case in point), the San Antonio Spurs are the only team in the West with the experience (and season record to back it up) to go the distance. This is as far as I go - you can debate the rest.

Thanks for joining me this week. As always, keep your comments and suggestions coming by following me on Facebook (Danielle de Graauw) and Twitter (@ddegraauw). Next Thursday, why don't we discuss MVP, Rookie of the year and all such accolades? Think about it over the weekend and in the meantime, I will see you on Tuesday for more NBA news coverage in "NBAz in 7 Dayz".

Raptors Rewind- High Speed Edition

You can take the title for however you like. Was it a comment on the pace this game is going to be played at? Maybe. It also could be a comment on how you would need to view it. Yes once again the game has been held hostage on TSN 2. I am really out of jokes, out of patience and convinced that no one in this stupid dispute cares about me and the feeling is mutual on my part. So we have a basketball game to cover. If I wanted to make a point I guess I could to a re-cap of the Stampede game which you can also see via the internet. However that is just me doing the same thing. So as always the Dino Nation Blog will do the best possible to cover the game for you. This has been such an awful season one of the worst I can remember. The fact Steve Nash will not play in this game gives me no confidence it will matter. It should but the way this team has been who knows. There have been good signs as both Bargnani and Bosh had great games. It still is laughable to me that Raptors are only 4.5 games back. I am not saying I have changed my mind about the playoffs. I have not but that being said the East really stinks at the bottom. Prior to this game starting I was watching the Wizards and the Bulls. The Bulls sit in 9th place. The President of the United States comes the cheer them on and they come out flat as a pancake on Tuesday. As for Obama he is great. Not in a private box. He was right down on the floor. They delayed the start to await his arrival. That is something. Anyway Suns and Raps heading your way I only have one prediction for this game. What is that? Defense will be a rumour because you will not find an evidence of it here.

1st Quarter

So the Suns win the tip and go to match-up of Bargnani on Shaq. Smart move and easy 2 points. Raps would get a score and Shaq would look to score again and fumble it. What looked to be a shot clock violation and it would end up a jump ball. It was won by Suns and lead to a Shaq dunk. Bosh would respond with a jumper. Barbosa and Bargnani exchange baskets. Shaq attack in full effect making another basket but could not make the foul shot. Raptors have no answer for the many with more nicknames than I can remember. He also has the best Twitter out there The Real Shaq. Shawn Marion and Jose Calderon are not on Twitter to the best of my knowledge but that had back to back baskets.

Raptors would take a 13-12 lead thanks to Bargnani. But Shaq would return after a short rest and he would take advantage again. This was a vintage performance by the big man and Jay Triano had not answer as Jake Voskhul was no better a match up than Bargnani was. The Suns had a 28-23 lead Shaq had 12 points already. Bosh was off to a good start with 8 points. However the storyline of this game seems to be how can the Raptors stop the Big Cactus. Shawn Marion would make a nice floater in the the lane. But Dudley would score. Dudley was acquired as part of the deal that brought Jason Richardson to the Suns. Matt Barnes would get a basket and was fouled by Jake Voskhul. That was Jake's 4th foul in 4 minutes. I mean that is just unreal. Andrea Bargnani got fouled and made a couple from the line. Jason Kapono would make a bucket. Patrick O'Bryant was in with Voskhul gone. He fouled Dudley who made a pair from the line. Bargnani missed one of two from the line. Suns would add a basket and lead by 7 with score 37-30 after one. Nothing looking good for the guys in the alternate blacks. Yes they were scoring but the defense was totally non existent unless you count fouling as defense. If that is true Jake Voskhul is playing GREAT D.

2nd Quarter

Parker opens the second with a 3 pointer from his sweet spot in the corner. Suns respond with an alley opp play for 2. Bosh made a pair from the line. Bargnani with the drive and some lucky gets the basket plus a foul. He would make that and The Raptors had cut the lead to just 1 point. Suns respond with a basket but Bosh would answer that score and the lead would remain at one. Bosh would be fouled and he would have a chance to tie it as Shaq was ready to check back in. Actually it was non shooting but no matter Bosh buries the jumper and were are tied at 42.

Jason Kapono would make a mid range jumper and Raptors were back in front. Raptors had started the quarter outscoring the Suns 14-5. We had a Suns feed of the game and a guy made a half court shot that he made under handed. He won $77,777. Shaq makes that per game I believe and he got a score after the excitement during the time out. Grant Hill beats Kapono and scores with an and 1 foul shot. Suns back in front 47-44. The Raptors would pull back to with in one. But Shaq would score and Bosh would foul him. Shaq would have the rare convert of a 3 point scoring chance. Suns were back in front and if Raptors couldn't stop Shaq it was a safe bet they could stay there. Shaq continued to abuse a defenseless Bosh with a slam. Bosh already had 2 fouls and did not want to pick up a 3rd. Marion has a score the other way and Raptors were hanging around down 2 points. However back to Shaq and he had 23. Jose Calderon would answer. Suns were diving all over the place including Shaq and they were doing the little things that team do that need a win. It was that hustle that would lead them on a 6-0 run to take an 8 point lead. Barbosa had a drive and score and Suns had largest lead of the night at 10 points with score 64-54. Suns would get it up to a dozen until Bargnani would hit a 3 pointer to cut the lead to 9. Shawn Marion a basket, a steal leading to a Parker basket. The Raptors would end up with an 11-0 run. Raptors defense was awful but the Suns were equally as defenseless. This was ABA like with score 68-67 Suns at the half.

3rd Quarter

Raptors would take the lead only to see more of what they saw in first half with Shaq scoring. Bargnani stepped inside and made a lone 2 pointer. Calderon would make a jumper and the Raptors lead 73-70. Grant Hill would score. Only to have Bosh answer at the other end. Raptors offense has been re-born. Bosh would split a pair a the line. Grant Hill would pass it into Shaq and he would score. Hill had 9 assists and Shaq had a massive total of points. Shawn Marion would give the Raptors lead back after Suns had tied it at 76. But more Shaq and it was tied at 78. The big man had 29. Marion had 18 for the Raptors and Bosh had 16 and Bargnani 18. Could the Raptors 3 be able to counter the Big Old School Superman? Well Bosh would pick up his 4th foul and that would not help things. Shaq would score again and head to the line. He made the free throw and had 32 and the Suns lead 81-80. Jason Kapono would respond with a 2 point jumper. Barbosa back the other way and the Suns lead was 83-82. Shawn Marion was having a night in front of his former fans. He would make another basket and had 22 points to lead the Raptors.

Raptors lead it 84-83. But Suns would score out of time out. But A.P would make a corner 3 pointer. Raptors lead it 87-85. Grant Hill ties it up at 87. A Marion miss in the lane lead to another Hill basket the other way and he was fouled by Jake Voskhul who had now 5 fouls in 6 minutes. So Hill's five straight gave the Suns a 90-87 lead. A steal would lead to a dunk for the Suns and a 5 point lead. A Bargnani travel and Raptors may have got into a fight that they can't win. Naturally Jason Kapono makes a 3 pointer to make me look bad. Suns would get a score and Grant Hill was looking for another and got called for the offensive push off. But Matt Barnes would eventual get to the line and make 2 shots. Ukic would drive and score the Raptors were down 4. The score after 3 was larger than a lot of final scores you'll see in the NBA. Suns 96 and Raptors 92. If you like offense this is the game for you.

4th Quarter

The Suns got a basket plus a foul from Amundson. But Andrea Bargnani answers with a 3 pointer and as it was stated off the top if you expected defense in this game you would be sad with this game. Suns were starting to pull away with a 7-0 run that would have a Jason Richardson 3 pointer have the Raptors looking for a time out. Bosh would find Marion out of the time out for a dunk. However Amundson would score again he was 7-7 and had 15 points. Marion was fouled but missed his first and made his second. Matt Barnes would score and the Suns were pulling away up by 12 with score 110-98.

Calderon would get fouled and head to the line where he has missed only twice all year. No logger jinx he made both and it was 110-100. Suns just give it to Shaq why not. The big man would score again and had 38 points his career high with the Suns. It was 116-110. Shaq would foul Calderon and that was an easy 2 points for Jose from the line. Shaq with a dunk and he has 40 points and the Suns were just to much for the Raptors. He scored again and he had 42 and the lead was 120-102. The Raptors tank was on empty and it was showing as it was 122-104 as Shaq was fouled and Bargnani had fouled out. Bargnani had 21 points and 6 rebounds on the night. Shaq meanwhile has 44 points with a rare 2-2 effort at the line. Shaq was looking for more with an ugly hook it would fall but Jason Richardson had a massive put back. Shaq would get 1 more point before leaving to massive and well deserved cheers with 45 points and 11 rebounds. The Suns would out run the Raptors 133-113. A boxscore with lots of great lines for a lot of folks but none bigger than the man who was the Star of "Blue Chips".

Suns/Raps Boxscore

So the Raptors fall in what may have bee the best chance they had for a win on this road trip. If you consider the Suns played the night before and had no Steve Nash. The Raptors now travel to the lone star state home of CB4 to his home town of Dallas to face the Maverick and a tilt with Yao and the Rockets after that. Given what we saw tonight good luck to the Raptors in stopping Yao. Meanwhile Nathan Jawai made his debut with the Iadho Stampede and 8 points 6 rebounds but had 6 fouls and 4 of them were offensive fouls. The Stampede lost to Utah. Idaho will play the same Utah team tomorrow. I will likely check it out and give you an update on Nathan's progress. Former Raptor Luke Jackson is also on the Idaho Stampede. But turning back to the Raptors it is not going to be easy to find a win on this road trip. The offense ran out of gas and the defense well there wasn't any.