Hope you had a nice weekend watching NBA hoops. Now we're into the thick of it with the second round of action. Better teams should equal better games, fingers crossed. Here are a few quick thoughts.
1. Kevin Garnett (Celtics): Don't be talking any junk about this man! Wow! Fired up and producing. He's playing lights out right now and the fact that Doc Rivers is using him at the 'five' spot and forcing folks to match his smaller lineup has really helped KG's game at this stage of his career. He's a tough guy to cover for opposing 'fives' due to his face up ability and solid quickness at that position. His versatile perimeter skills force you to stretch your defensive coverage's to him and his length allows him to get away with giving up size, while still being able to stand his ground defensively. Game 1 with the Sixers was an intense, fiery affair and that's right up KG's alley. Fun to watch him right now.
2. Jeremy Lin (Knicks, Restricted Free Agent): Mitch Lawrence of the NY Daily News wrote this weekend that the Toronto Raptors may have an interest in him in the open market this summer. I wouldn't rule anything out this off-season with the Raptors. I think they'll be very assertive/strategic in their approach and you'll see a different cast of characters next season that's for sure. Can Lin play? Yes. Is he a starting point guard on a winning team? Only time will tell. Young player whose got a nice feel for the game and should improve. He knows how to run a team, that's for sure. Must improve his stamina and get a lot stronger. His handle has to tighten up considerably and the turnover numbers have to lessen. Can he do it? Sure. Steve Nash's name will be out there as well. It wiill be a fun summer for Raptors' fans with their franchise poised to make moves that will be the critical steps to the turnaround of the team's fortunes. Draft picks, trades, cap space, amnesty provision -- lots of possible moves that will lead to a different and better team next year.
3. LeBron James (Heat): Congrats on MVP number three! Well-earned and well-deserved. He had a terrific year and what a performance on Sunday versus the Pacers in Game 1. His play in the second half was complete and with a purpose. Too often we take what this guy can do for granted and focus on what he hasn't done yet. Put him in any era of the NBA and he'd be one of, if not the best players of that era. I know he hasn't won yet but if he keeps up this tear, he'll have more than one when it's all said and done. Nobody's better in the league right now. Now he's got to do it with consistency the next six weeks. You're defined by your elite level performance in the most meaningful games. The spotlight will grow brighter as we move along and he looks even better prepared to handle it.
4. Clippers vs. Spurs (Spurs in Six): Spurs on a roll with great balance, defense, role definition and they're on a mission. Clippers are feeling really good (as they should) about themselves right now with their stirring victory in Round 1 over the Grizzlies. Bottom line: Confidence is high in both camps, but I just have this feeling that the Spurs are more solid, stable and consistent throughout games. Wonderful point guard matchup with Chris Paul and Tony Parker. It will be a classic, as both were sensational this season. I just look at this series and my gut tells me the Spurs were very fortunate to avoid the Grizzlies again and this is a better match up for them and they will prevail.
5. Lakers vs. Thunder (Thunder in Six): Tempo is crucial in this series. Thunder must get out and run the Lakers as much as possible. Force the Lakers hand and make them match you at times in small ball with Kevin Durant at the 'four' spot if need be. Lakers must dominate inside and Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum must come to play each-and-every night. Thunder impressed me with their poise/composure closing the deal versus the Mavs and don't think they'll get rattled in this series either. They appear ready to take the next step as a team. Great test dealing with Kobe and company. Lakers defense on the road has been disappointing and they must generate better energy and bring force to Game 1 and 2 in OKC or they'll be up against it quick. The game has changed a whole lot over the years and having the better perimeter crew is usually the true test in whether you win or not and the Thunder are better overall at the one through three spots.