HOUSTON WINS: THE ROCKETS CAN'T BEAT THE WARRIORS

     As soon as the words, 

      "THE ROCKETS CAN'T BEAT THE WARRIORS, "  were spoken by Charles Barkley, my fate was sealed.  And, it is these words that might also seal the fate of the Golden State Warriors.

On any other day, spoken by any other human, I "may" have agreed.  I will say this, that until I heard these words spoken by the incomparable Charles Barkley  

                         [click on link to video  @ 1:04 mark to witness for yourself]

     In spite of the US Supreme Court Ruling today that would allow legalized gambling in every state in the Union, I am not nor am I going to be a "betting man."  That does not stop me from picking teams, and if it wasn't for the Barkley Curse I would have gone with Warriors, but in 7 games.  6 at the very least.

But that fate reversed it's course when as soon as the "Rockets" landed in that phrase spoken by Chuckles.

I don't particularly care for the Rockets Team and have disdain for former Lakers' Coach, Mike D'Antoni.

That being said, since Chuckles Barkley said, " the Rockets CAN'T beat the Warriors," and "Warriors in 5., " I am going with HOU in 7, SMH, reluctantly. https://t.co/FLeJOdv8dG

— Juan Cortes (@showtime17505) May 9, 2018

SO, I am going to tell you WHY THE ROCKETS CAN BEAT THE WARRIORS:

1) I have a problem with anyone telling anyone else, especially sports teams on this level, that they "Can't" do something.  Rest assured that these quotes have been plastered all over the bulletin boards in H-Town.  Anyone can beat anyone on ANY given Day

2)  Didn't the Rockets have the best record in the NBA this season?

3) Flukey things happen, ie calls, ejections, or an injury that can change the course of 1 game which may dictate the end result of a series.  So, the unpredictable is in play!

4)  Chris Paul: CP3 is On a Mission (NOT a NEWS FLASH)

5) The Scoring Threesome of James Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon is going to put a lot more pressure on the Warriors defense than any other team 

14.1 (#1) MADE 3-pointers to 9.8 (#11 GSW)

6) To go along with a high powered offense with multiple weapons, 

the Rockets actually HAVE A DEFENSE! 

 (#6 in the regular season (GSW #9) and number 2 in the playoffs (GSW #1)

7) Trevor Ariza vs Kevin Durant:  I assume the Rockets will look (mostly) to Ariza to defend Durant.  With the talent around the perimeter putting added pressure on guys like Steph Curry (between CP3 and Harden) Ariza and co (Capela) will be able to make things tougher on Durant than most teams have been able to do.  If Ariza has an ALL-Star worthy defensive campaign againt Durant, Houston wins.

8) Houston is only allowing 10.7 Points off Turn-Overs to the opposition and Golden State is allowing 15.9

9) Two-In-One stat(s):  HOU allowing opposition 8.9 points off second chance opps vs GSW at 12.2, AND HOU allowing 10.4 to opp off Fast Breaks vs GSW 13.6pts

Most ALL other "stats" are comparable except for the aforementioned_ 2018 NBA PLAYOFF sample

and, finally

10) Because Charles Barkley picked the Warriors in FIVE !

The Mayo, not Mustard, is off the hot dog: OJ Mayo Banned from the NBA and the insanity of NBA Free Agency

    This OJ, Mayo, might be moving slower today than a "slow white Bronco" carrying an OJ of a different last name some 20 years ago.  Speaking of a slow white Bronco, we will get to Peyton Manning shortly. 

OJ Mayo is Banned from the NBA

       Mayo came to a school that seemingly will forever be known as a "football school." Yet, somehow, USC pulled 1 of the two biggest names and brightest stars the nation had to offer that year (2007-8) coming out of High School.  That reminds me, how did Ben Simmons arrive at LSU?  Shaquille O'Neal recently told "us" that he (Shaq) went to LSU because, "they paid the most.  Don't worry the statute of limitations has worn off." 




  The other, Kevin Love, arrived in Westwood and the 
USC UCLA rivalry had some of its greatest basketball talent AND moments.

Mayo arrived at USC under some controversy, and scrutiny grew as the season progressed.  Questions about his age, money and gifts continued.  We all learned AFTER Mayo left there was at least money and gifts involved and USC was sanctioned as a result.

Perhaps what happened July 1, 2016 was some sort of karma.  Mayo might well be serving and paying the penance for what he was a part of back in 2007 when he escaped college without incident to make millions in the NBA.  That is now over for the next two years due to Mayo's violation of the NBA's Anti-Drug Policy.

The penance?  Banned from the NBA for two years AND reinstatement is not a guarantee.

Laker Fans might remember Robert Upshaw last season?  The un-drafted Center out of Fresno State via Washington.  A seven footer with all sorts of UPside yet fell away to the downside by also violating the same NBA anti-drug policy while playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders.  Being as how Upshaw was in the process of making it to the NBA he may not ever get a chance to get back in.  Mayo?  We shall see.  These are two examples of harsh-realities in what May-O May NOT be a microcosm of society, given the nature of the current dollars being tossed around in this NBA Free Agency Period. Especially, when combined with a current society that yields things like pill-popping housewives in places like Newport Beach, California and young kids everywhere becoming macchiato-addicted, attention-starved maniacs that later replace their macchiatos with methamphetamine (a substance listed in the NBA Anti-Drug policy).

Do you know of another job where you can make 25 times more money from one year to the next?  What is 25 times greater than $857,615.00?  22 Million.  THAT is what Hassan Whiteside will be making in year one of his four-year $97,900,000.00 Guaranteed Deal he just signed with the Heat.  Chew on that for a moment.

Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons) signed a comparable deal, albeit a larger total contract (130 M) where he will average 26 Million per season.  Drummond was previously making about 3 M per season so his jump was not as significant as Whiteside's.  Both have had their share of technical fouls, which is pretty usual, but Whiteside has had ejections with "kicking" and "fighting" on his NBA Record.

SO..

What happens when a guy that has been scrapping and clawing to get into and hang on in the NBA becomes one of the biggest Free Agent signings and has perhaps the most significant increases in "salary" in NBA History?

Jordan Clarkson went from the eight hundred thousand slot to about 13 Million per.  Kent Bazemore, who had a brief stint in LA, went from two million to 17.5 Million (average, per season).

We are seeing more significant "jumps" in salary due to the team salary cap increasing by an estimated 31% (from 72 Million to approximately 94 Million).

Did millions of dollars play a part in OJ Mayo's case?  Was his destiny already foreshadowed by his tarnished past of corruption with NCAA violations?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

This is where what is "between the ears" and upbringing will start to matter more and more as NBA franchises toss dollars around moreso than the USC boosters did that year to land Mayo in basketball and Reggie Bush in football.

Corruption is ever-present.  And, with increased dollars not only comes increased obligation and responsibility but also a greater propensity for corruption of any and all kinds to creep in.

Remember Ryan Leaf?  He was the second pick in the NFL Draft in 1998.  Peyton Manning was number one.

Ryan Leaf given multiple chances

 Leaf definitely had more chatter regarding his physical attributes at that time but he had questions about his "head" coming out of high school and college.  With Leaf adding twenty pounds before tryouts and Manning exceeding expectations on arm strength drills it made it easy for the Colts to draft Peyton with confidence.  Leaf goes to the San Diego Chargers and wrecks faster than the Amtrak Surfliner ride down the Pacific Coast.  Again, was this related to having millions or was the writing on the wall due to what is "between the ears?"  Something tells me we will begin to SEE the differences in Drummond vs. Whiteside much like we did in Manning vs. Leaf.

We are talking about being human as well.

Most people, when capturing an extra bonus or making a little extra during a regular pay period, might buy an extra nice pair of shoes or buy an extra cocktail at the bar.

Athletes?  Entertainers?  Drug problems, alcoholism and bankruptcies are, unfortunately, fairly prominent.

How many of "these guys" that are making these significant salary jumps will be singing "my Maserati drives 185" while actually driving 185 somewhere in Florida? Perhaps Biggie Smalls Hypnotize is more appropriate: "Escargot, my car go, 160, swiftly.." But, enough about Yasiel Puig...



These guys are ALL human.  And, as humans, we all make mistakes and failure of some kind IS imminent.  What is the price?

Mayo is now gone from the NBA where he had just earned 24 Million Dollars over the past 3 seasons and was up for a new contract in this crazy new world created by the CAP increase and owners' willingness to "make it rain" on the NBA's best and brightest.  Mayo may have cost himself an "easy" 70 Million Dollar Total Contract that folks like a Bazemore and a Dwight Howard just received (different total years of course).

Are we watching a bad Hollywood movie?  We already have.  Robert Downey Jr is an addict.  He has told us so and has claimed that he has been since the tender age of EIGHT.  He has had multiple relapses and convictions.  In June (1996) Downey was found with cocaine, heroin and a pistol in his car and was convicted on felony drug possession.  He served 1 year and three months.  Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Downey and thank GOD Jer had the foresight to NOT take "Iron Man" away from us because Downey is slated to make 200 Million Dollars on the next Avengers Film.  REPEAT: DOWNEY TO MAKE TWO HUNDRED MILLION on next AVENGERS film (look for human failure of an addict being given millions of dollars coming to a "real" theater near you..)

Perhaps the NBA should oversee the "Hollywood Anti-Drug Policy?" (ahem)

As crazy as this NBA Free Agency is, it pales in comparison to what the Hollywood "free agency" scene is.  Sports IS entertainment and the self-proclaimed "largest sports network in the world" is not only owned by Mickey Mouse Inc., it also starts with the letter "E" for Entertainment.

Based on the logic of this NBA free agency, combined with the life and times of a Robert Downey Jr., we should see more "cocaine" abuse from Mayo followed by a book deal and then a $250 million dollar (over 5 years) NBA deal in 2020.  So, things are looking up.

Someone, please.. STOP the insanity. What? Skip Bayless signed for HOW MUCH?  With FOX?

(I have to go..)

Iron Man, and drug addict, Robert Downey Jr to make around 200M on next Avengers film (source); mind blown?

NBA RULES: Lakers Forward Julius Randle Snubbed in more ways than one

WINNING MIGHT CHANGE EVERYTHING

BUT,

Winning will NOT change the fact that Julius Randle, the second-year forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, will NOT be participating in this year's "RISING STARS" game.

This year, the NBA has decided to have a team of world players vs a team of US players ALL in their first two years of play.

With both Jordan Clarkson AND D'Angelo Russell on the "US" team and a limited number of spots to fill a very prominent "third Laker" was left out."

All-Snub Team: Randle, Lillard, DJ, PAU, Kemba (not pictured)

I am sure Julius Randle feels similar to how former Laker, Pau Gasol, felt about his snubbing on the All-Star Team itself. 

 Gasol's numbers:

16.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.0 bpg

He is FIFTH in double-doubles with 26.  Andre Drummond, Russell Westbrook, Demarcus Cousins, and DeAndre Jordan are all ahead of him (the first three are All-Stars..)

Julius Randle is tied for nineteenth on the  NBA Double-Double Leader List .   

He is tied with  Paul Milsapp, who was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team AHEAD of players like Pau Gasol, and Hasaan Whiteside (HEAT).

Randle will also be left OFF of the list of NBA Rookie of the YEAR (ROY) candidates.


Here is a look at HOW Julius Randle "measures" up to presumably the TOP candidates for the 2016 Award for "first-year" players:

Please Click on the stats (graphic above) IT WILL ENLARGE

Which Brings the Question of eligibility of an NBA player for an award like the Rookie of the Year in spite of limited playing time: Julius Randle played 14 minutes in 2014-15.

This is how the League currently sits, although I was also informed that a player has to petition as an individual (no agent) within the first 5 games of the following season and it then has to be approved by the Teams.

Either Way, Julius Randle will not be considered for the Rookie of the Year (shame), but he IS one of the League's BEST "sophomores."   And, he is gaining respect around the league from his peers, like fellow snubmarine shipmate Dirk Nowitzki, but NOT from the League's Referees.

In fact, it seems like Kobe is NOT getting calls nor the Team (in general) for that matter.  Perhaps there is a different KIND of snubbery going on in LA LA Land.

I digress,

The issue is NOT whether Randle got snubbed or if Jordan Clarkson should be on the world TEAM.

The issue is that in lieu of the NBA's BEST First and Second Year players "we" get to see players like:

BOJAN BOGDANOVIC    

and

MARIO HEZONJA

WHO?

BOJAN averages 9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 1 apg.  He has 4 points in his last TWO over 39 minutes of action.

The "mighty" Hezonja averages 4.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 1.0 apg

Based on THIS math the REAL snubbing might be that MARCELO HUERTAS deserves to be on the World Team then, RIGHT?  Not so funny is it?

The fact of the matter is that no one but BORAT cares about BOJAN.

DON'T FANS DESERVE TO SEE THE VERY BEST ROOKIES AND SOPHOMORES?

So, Julius Randle GETS SNUBBED as an ROY candidate

SNUBBED as a sophomore...

and STILL

getting SNUBBED by REFS.

Did you hear where Julius Randle sells his unused Family Tickets?

SnubHub

The ALL-SNUB TEAM does look good, so Julius is in GREAT COMPANY...

Maybe All-Snub Insurance can sponsor them?

and they can go whale-watching and look for snub-nosed dolphins..have some snub-marine sammys ..?

AND, better yet, there might come a time when JULIUS RANDLE STOPS getting

SNUBBED

Fyron SCOTT: Los Angeles Lakers Coach Byron Scott needs to go

Are the Los Angeles Lakers Preparing to Fail?  What is the current status and culture IN and OUT of the Locker Room and BEYOND?

     My "fanship" of the Los Angeles Lakers began about the same time that Dr. Jerry Buss happened to take majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers.  I consider that Luck.

"3-2-1...Kareem with the sky hook at the buzzer" was a regular part of my basketball shooting rituals as a kid.

I witnessed the beginning and end of now Coach Byron Scott's NBA Playing Career.  His High School ball was played not too far from mine.

He was second, after Michael Jordan, in shooting guards for me.  

This is not to say that I thought he was the second-best shooting guard next to that MJ.  This is to say that it was Michael because it WAS all about Jordan and because I was a Lakers fan I did NOT look any further than Morningside High School's own Byron Scott.

I developed the same technical shooting form and same type of play.  Byron Scott was a tough, hard-nosed and fundamentally correct player that played with some of the Greatest Collection of Talent the Lakers and the NBA have EVER seen.

So, for THOSE reasons and many others, it has been very difficult to watch this team... this franchise be run lower and lower on the rungs of NBA success.  Especially when they are used to the Championship RINGS of success.

Players, Teams, Franchises have ALL leap-frogged past the Lakers not JUST in the "win" column but in NBA Prestige and Stature.  

Speaking of Wins:

Precedent has been set within the organization.  The Cleveland CAVS, on January 22, 2016, decided to move in a different direction when they fired David Blatt who was at the helm of the East's Very Best Team and Record.

"What I see is that we need to build a collective spirit, a strength of spirit, a collective will," Griffin said. "Elite teams always have that, and you see it everywhere. To be truly elite, we have to buy into a set of values and principles that we believe in. That becomes our identity."
_David Griffin, Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager  (your move, Mitch...)

Hiring and Firing should NOT necessarily be based solely on WINS and Losses.  The franchise (Lakers) AND fans KNEW things would be rough given the injuries, moves (trades) gone wrong and now moving forward with draft picks.

But.. Is the current culture of the Lakers too far mired in misery to the point of players gathering in some sort of bond that creates mutiny?

I don't really know.

Is Byron motivating his players beyond the seemingly hard-nosed approach of benching guys like Nick Young so his effort might increase?

Byron's tactics in some of those isolated incidents will probably prove successful.  The decision to bring both  Russell and Randle off-the-bench made big news when that happened; but this has forced both of these players to PLAY better ball as a result.  However, these players, along with players like Tarik Black, Metta World Peace and Nick Young seem to be unhappy and something tells ME it is not JUST about the Losing.

When a Coach has to explain to the Media why he is NOT playing a player like Tarik Black that should say something, right?

His explanation was that he told Tarik that he wanted him to be more like Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace and the reporters who sit in the locker room ACTUALLY Believe this garbage. 

( I already wrote and presented the statistical information on Tarik Black_ click HERE )

The stats show what Tarik does but ALL you really need to do is WATCH him play:

        This might sound silly but one thing that struck me as being curious is that ALL of the SPURS were wearing Shoes of their TEAM colors: SILVER/ BLACK / White

The Lakers had several players (seen in clip) that were wearing colors of the SPURS as well.  One thing is certain: Not ONE SPUR was wearing a gold or a purple and gold shoe and there is 

NO WAY Gregg Popovich would ever allow that to happen.  

Where is the discipline?  Where is the unity? 

 Where is the TEAM?

This gentleman (video) tells the story of Kareem, Wooden and how Coach John Wooden would have his team tie their shoes together.  You can  forward that clip to the 2:05 minute mark but I found that video useful to illustrate a few things.  

"John Wooden, the Coach of the Century (ESPN), first day of practice started with socks and SHOES."

This would make an impact on EVERY Bruin that played with him including Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Marques Johnson.

So, I don't care about their "RECORD" necessarily, I care how the TEAM is responding.  I care about their function and unity given the very best possible position to BE SUCCESSFUL.

And I CARE that this TEAM not coming out wearing all the same colors as their opponent and I care that more than ONE LAKER wore shoe colors of their opponent on game night.

SO...Back to the drawing board Lakers and..

+Los Angeles Lakers  (shouldn't Kobe have the shoe deal with his OWN TEAM?)

Start with the SHOES!




Then lose the manbuns, the head in hands and the lethargic play.


other notes from John Wooden ...


"Failing to prepare is preparing to FAIL." 
_John Wooden

Jordan Clarkson commented on how the Lakers can learn about ball movement by watching the Spurs.  Yes, JC... You can ALSO learn about TEAM, UNITY, Camaraderie, DISCIPLINE and Communication.

The Los Angeles Lakers: In the TANK

I have fond memories of Chick Hearn putting Lakers games "in the refrigerator." 



It seems like those years and times for the purple and gold are eons away.  They (the Lakers), now, seem firmly rooted in TEAM TANK

Many jokes have been made and many different memes of either Mike D'Antoni, Byron Scott, Mitch or Jim (Buss) driving an actual tank over the past several seasons.

I am not so sure the Lakers are losing "deliberately" or not but they have definitely lacked effort AND have failed badly (see huge OKC losses).

Here are the Western Conference Standings currently:

This makes me want to vomit.  Not because "my team" is last in the Western Conference and en route to yet another record setting type of season in the worst way, but because I believed this:

"I don't see why we don't contend for a playoff spot," Kupchak said, "but our young players have to grow beyond their years, and we have to stay healthy."

_Mitch Kupchak July 2015

I don't see WHY either Mitch.

Personally, I see an easy five games that SHOULD be in the win column which puts the Lakers currently in the hunt for the 8 seed:

Game One v Minnesota: The Lakers had control for three quarters and then watched the T'Wolves comeback and win during the fourth

They were in Games 3 and 4 Versus the Mavs and Nuggets and then got a dub vs the Nets.

They had the game against the Knicks but lost by 4

Remember game 8 against the Magic?  Yeh, I want to forget THAT one too.  A buzzer beater by Nikola Vucevic sealed the Lakers fate that day..

You can go through the schedule yourself and see that since THEN they have been IN, and have had chances to win games.  But, they have not, including another 1-point loss to the Wolves and close games recently versus the Kings and OKC.

THEY ARE BETTER THAN WHAT THEIR RECORD INDICATES

So...What gives?

The Lakers get Lucky with a win against the Pelicans on January 12, 2016 but did so WITHOUT Pels star forward Anothony Davis.  Davis played the NEXT night and had 24 points and 10 rebounds in a WIN against Sacramento  (109-97).

Hmmmmm.... 

BUT... when I see the Lakers FIRMLY planted at the bottom of the Western Conference and FIRMLY believe they are better than that; I have to then conclude that they ARE tanking with purpose.

This NBA game has QUICKLY passed Roy Hibbert by and Roy has NO BUSINESS starting and playing 25 mins per contest on a TEAM that can go SMALL(er) with the likes of NANCE, BASS, and even Metta or Tarik Black.  YET, "WE" continue to see Roy Hibbert run out there on a daily basis.

It sucks.

It sucks to feel like the Lakers resolved themselves to the fact that they WOULD NOT be vying for spot 8 or even higher in this year's Western Conference and are steadfastly working their record the opposite direction in hope to land themselves some Simmons.

Good LUCK with THAT!

FIRE (in the hole) Mitches

This game is in "the tank,"  The pin is pulled, the grenade is warming and the lid is closed.

BOOM

NBA 2014-2015 Power Rankings, Week-12

    Photo: Bill Baptist, NBAE, Getty Images

N.B.A. 2014-2015
POWER RANKINGS
ZERO OPINION; 100% statistical
By N.P.Misso

1/18/2015 (Prepared prior to games played on Sunday, January 18th, 2015)

Half of the 2014-2015 N.B.A. season has concluded & Golden State remains strongest thus far.  But, unlike 1-month ago, Atlanta is #2, moving up 3-positions and remaining the strongest team in the East.

Power Rankings here are based upon current Conference position & 18 statistical categories, including Offense (Points, Assists, Field Goals, Free Throws & 3-Pt FG’s), Defense (Opp Pts, Assists, FG’s, FT’s, 3’s, Rebounds, Blocks, Steals, Turnovers) & Point Differential’s (Point, FG, FT & 3-Pt FG Differentials).

NBA POWER RANKINGS (Previous Ranking)

1. Golden State Warriors (1)

2. Atlanta Hawks (5)
3. Portland Trailblazers (3)

4. San Antonio Spurs (4)

5. Los Angeles Clippers (8)

6. Memphis Grizzlies (2)

7. Dallas Mavericks (9)

8. Washington Wizards (6)

9. Chicago Bulls (10)

10. Milwaukee Bucks (16)

11. Toronto Raptors (7)

12. Phoenix Suns (15)

13. Houston Rockets (11)

14. New Orleans Pelicans (14)

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (11)

16. Indiana Pacers (19)

17. Denver Nuggets (18)

18. Detroit Pistons (27)

19. Boston Celtics (21)

20. Cleveland Cavaliers (12)

21. Charlotte Hornets (29)

22. Miami Heat (22)

23. Brooklyn Nets (20)

24. Sacramento Kings (22)

25. Utah Jazz (24)

26. Orlando Magic (25)

27. Los Angeles Lakers (26)

28. New York Knicks (23)

29. Philadelphia 76ers (28)

30. Minnesota Timberwolves (30)

Each category is weighted the same, irrespective of how a Fan, Player, Trainer, Agent, Coach, G.M. or Owner may revere a stat category, injury or current streak.  Scoring, handling-the-ball, (or not turning-it-over), rebounding, and blocking a shot is just as important/relevant as Free-throw Shooting Percentage, Points/Field-Goal Differentials, stealing the ball or holding the opposition to fewest points per game.