Post by jenny123 on Oct 22, 2013 1:27:39 GMT -5
Were started up and into the NBA season. Its opening night for the Toronto Raptors this evening and I cant wait! Here are a few quick NBA thoughts for you. 1. LAKERS SECOND UNIT: For all of the hype about the stars in LA this season, a big concern reared its ugly head last night vs. Dallas. Their bench got outscored by 20 points (37-17) and thats got to be a huge concern for coach Mike Brown. An older team with Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest needs some back up on many nights and this could be a big issue over a long season. If not, youll see their starters playing major minutes and that could lead to injuries/issues into the spring when it really counts for them. Its only one night but its an issue that Id keep my eye on. I still like them to end up being the best when its all said and done in the West but we might have to see some magical personnel move being made to upgrade their bench. 2. ANTHONY DAVIS (Hornets): From what Ive seen of him in the preseason, hes got the look of a Rookie of the Year written all over him. I loved him at Kentucky and feel that he can really shine as the talent level improves around him in New Orleans. He will be an impact guy from Day 1 as a rebounder and shot blocker. His offense will be hit and miss early on and hell get out-muscled many nights. I think you have to match him up as much as you can to the opposing skilled post guy rather than the brute to keep him fresh and effective. Bit of a chess match moving him around. If hes on the court and in that lane - watch out! Hes punching your shot out and snatching loads of 50/50 balls. 3. NYC METROPOLITAN AREA: As most of you know, Im from Brooklyn and I gotta tell ya that Im hurting right now with the devastation of what took place with Hurricane Sandy. I truly feel for those folks there. Lots of family and friends impacted by the storm. Thank God that people are OK. Lots of rebuilding to do but they will be back. As we saw with the devastation of 9/11, the folks in that area are resilient and tough as nails. Theyre down but far from out. At Mayor Michael Bloombergs request after damage from the hurricane, Thursdays Knicks-Nets game has been postponed and I fully support the decision. 4. RAY ALLEN AND RASHARD LEWIS (Heat): 29 points combined on 9 of 12 shooting for the newcomers. Masterful moves by president Pat Riley. Veteran guys who totally get it, have played in winning environments and have produced. If you thought twice before about doubling LeBron and D-Wade youll be thinking it through even more now with two more sharpshooters camped out waiting to drill open shots if you dare to leave them open or youre slow rotating and closing out on shooters. Its a preparation nightmare for opposing coaches when you play Miami. Choose your poison. Yes theyve got wonderful talent there, no doubt, but theyve got excellent management and coaching as well. Leadership and vision really matter. 5. ANDERSON VAREJAO (Cavs): Wow! What a performance vs. the Wizards. Nine points, 23 rebounds (12 of them on the offensive boards) and nine assists. Big time night. Hes a live wire out there playing with incredible energy and persistence. Cavs missed him big-time last year due to the injuries and with him healthy, he gives them a little personality and swagger. Love his enthusiasm. Will he put numbers like that up every night? No. But when you have as young a team as they have they need someone to show the way about how hard youve got to play this game every night and to be professional in your approach on every single play. He doesnt take plays off - thats a good example for coach Byron Scott to have. Elite Bengals Jersey . Finally, hes getting back on the field. 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The Bulls rallied from a 13-point deficit to tie the score 78-all with 9:27 remaining on Butlers dunk after a steal.The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded goaltender Steve Mason to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for goaltender Michael Leighton and a 2015 third-round draft pick. Mason has posted an 3-6-1 record in 13 games with the Blue Jackets this season with a 2.95 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage. In his first three seasons with the Blue Jackets, Mason had been a workhorse, appearing in 50 or more games in each. Originally selected in the third round (69th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus, Masons best proo season by far came as a rookie.dddddddddddd Mason would win the Calder Trophy in 2009 after posting a 33-20-7 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage while posting 10 shutouts. In 232 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Mason has posted a 96-99-27 record with a .903 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average. The 23-year-old is in the final year of a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.9 million. He will remain a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current deal. ' ' '