Hail to the King

Congrats to the Miami Heat won second consecutive NBA Championship and 3rd overall as a franchise (first title was in 2006).  SF LeBron James elevated his game to new heights.  For Example, James learned to slam dunk, and block shots in a more frequent rate with his dominant hand which is his left hand (Yes he shoots right handed but his left hand is his writing hand and dominant hand if readers didn't know that.)  James perimeter game and steals are second to none in this era of the NBA today.  In my eyes James hands down was not only the best defender for his size, he looked to me a guy who grown to relish the opportunity to stuff opponents into clam shells by breaking off screens and anticipates shots going up with impeccable timing and blocks the ball to the front row seats.  James growth as a dominant force in the NBA was no surprise to me, but only not fans who like him or still punish him for "The Decision" in 2010 press conference have a hard time  deny how good he is now and how great he shall become in due time.  James was named MVP 4 times in the last 5 seasons,  his hardware could only grow as much as a cost of his Air Jordan's shoes...just Kidding.  Miami Heat did not win 66 games by accident, if SG Dwyane Wade were more healthy and more consistent post play in the paint by C (but naturally a PF) Chris Bosh and more touches by PF Udonis Haslem and a spread out perimeter play was erratic at times by sophomore SG Norris Cole the Heat would have challenged a chance to win 70 games, almost happened during the 27 consecutive games won streak which ended in the hands of (would be 2nd round foe) in March the Chicago Bulls.  Does this mean the Heat will win 3rd consecutive NBA title..probably so, but the team will have a hard time winning 60 games, but with a trade for a front-line player to replace C Chris Anderson, Haslem or SF Miller will help Bosh play from the inside out as he did when he was a Toronto Raptor. 

Here are lessons of the 2013 NBA season Eastern Conference style

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Larry Drew after 45 wins.  Hawks are the wrong team in the wrong conference to expect to win 50 games every season.  PF Josh Smith is expected to test free agency during the offseson, GM Danny Ferry has made a good move in dumping G Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets before the season, now the Hawks have to learn how to lose as a team and not winning in remaining in mediocrity.

Charlotte Bobcats future looks promising with G Kemba Walker being the franchise leader.  Even so, the Bobcats lack of size will ensure the team of winning less than 23 games.

Washington Wizards Branded Beal And John Wall have proven that one more year together this team will be climbing wondrous steps to become a playoff team.  Team needs to re-sign C Nene and sign a guard with experience to help Beal and Wall.  Wizards should win around 30 games next season.

Orland Magic completed the worst record in franchise history offset with the 4 way trade which set C Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.  The future of PG Jameer Nelson is mostly cloudy at best after the 2013-14 season as free agency approaches for him.  Magic will win no more than 17 games next season which would increase chances of firing young head coach Jacque Vaughn.

Central Division

Indiana Pacers need to re-sign PF David West and draft an adequate point guard will help George Hill play his natural position as Shootig Guard.  Pacers also have to decide on future of SF Denny Granger who miss most of this past season with knee issues.

Chicago Bulls need a relief shooting guard to replace Richard Hamilton since James Butler played so well at the end of the season to win the job.  PG Derrick Rose will be rusty since being out for the entire season, but he should be ready mentally to withstand the pounding of his knees.  Rose needs to develop a complete

perimeter game to alleviate the crashes he takes on the floor.  Bulls should look at a young post up presence during the draft to help PF Carlos Boozer who has become reliable in the last 2 seasons in scoring and the complete perimeter play outside and a dominate force  C Joakim Noah has become can not take anymore loss of back-court play.

Milwaukee Bucks are hard pressed to re-sign SG Monta Ellis, but money comes hard to buy in this small market.  The Bucks situation worsened as the team won only 5 games with 1 month left to end the season (33-30 start turned out to be 38-44).  Branden Jennings is a star in his own island as his free agency is approaching quickly, Bucks do not have any more room for error considering head coach Scott Skiles was fired as head coach in January, then dumped intern coach Jim Boylan for former Hawks head coach Larry Drew comes in with hard nose offense and a sputtering defense in the paint outside of C Larry Sanders.  Future of the team is bleak and maybe the future of Staying in Milwaukee could be in trouble too.

Detroit Pistons hiring Maurice Cheeks as head coach was a good move, now what to due with SF Charlie Villanueva and SG Ben Gordon's contract respectively.  C Andre Drummond looks to be a diamond in the rough as Greg Monroe has turned out to be as well.  Pistons need better coach Cheeks will provide considering what I saw from the few games I watched the Pistons players losing any attention of former coach Lawrence Frank. Team needs solid back court play and better free throw shooting.

Cleveland Cavaliers landed the #1 NBA Draft pick for the second time in the last 3 seasons. Progress has been made by PG Kyrie Irving, SG Dion Walters and SF Tyrus Thompson.  Cavaliers need rebounding assuming the team are not able to keep Anderson Varejao who had a promising season recording 15 points and 15 rebounds a game before injuries derailed his season.

Atlantic Division

New York Knickerbockers have to rebound after retirement of PG Jason Kidd and SG J.R. Smith hoping to land an $80 Million contract.   Retirements of PF Marcus Camby, C Kurt Thomas and SF Rasheed Wallace before the playoffs exposes the teams need to have a Center behind Tyson Chandler off the bench.

Knicks at least should keep PF Kenyon Martin for one more year since the list of prospects of PF are endless after the 2014 NCAA basketball season.

 

Brooklyn Nets signing Jason Kidd as head coach was a baffling move to write the least.  Yes Kidd guided the Nets to 2 consecutive NBA Finals apperances from 2002-03 when the franchise was in New Jersey, but were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers respectively and the San Antonio Spurs in 6 game the following

season.  Nets dumped for coach Kidd ruined Avery Johnson after Christmas game loss to the Boston

Celtics, then fired intern coach P.J. Carlesimo who rescued the sagging Nets to become playoff bound.  What to do about my assessment of the Nets outside of PG Deron Williams,  hopes of keeping Gerald Wallace and the growth of C Brook Lopez what to make of this team now especially acquiring Paul Pierce Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry from Boston.

Boston Celtics are in an ugly mess.  Rajon Rondo and Courtney Lee are in place, but the future of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce is very foggy.  Head coach Doc Rivers has no idea what he would like to due, resign or coach the Los Angeles Clippers?  Pierce is from Inglewood, Ca where the Lakers used to play at the Great Western Form before moving to Downtown Los Angeles at the Staples Center in 1999.  Los Angeles is a second home to Garnett in the offseason....rebuilding is on the mind in Boston.

Philadelphia 76ers lost season before the start of the season with the acquisition of C Andrew Bynum in the 4 way trade which sent Sf Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets had degenerated knees and knee surgeries on top of surgeries he already had. PG Jrue Holiday and C Spencer Hawes were the bright spots for the team  this past season. 76ers will not win no more than 30 games unless Bynum who is a free agent in the offseason is willing to stay. Head Coach Doug Collins resigned at the end of the season.

      

Toronto Raptors made franchise altering move by acquiring SF Rudy Gay from brother franchise the Memphis Grizzlies in 3 way deal which sent PG Jose Calderon to the Detroit Pistons before the trade deadline.  Raptors looked like a cohesive unity in the back court as Gay became a decent distributor in assist and was willing to play man to man defense in times compared to playing a system style defense while he was playing for the Grizzlies due to lack of details.  Raptors are in a good place to win 40 games, but will the Eastern Conference will be strong for the team to reach the playoffs...time will tell.

Photo taken after the NBA Finals ended on Thursday night. 

Sorta coach 965 on June 21, 2013 the first day of Summer.