BASKETBALL Thread [Archive] - Page 19

jhomai14

June 11th, 2012, 03:16 PM

For our collegiate basketball fans....

Filoil finals: Bulldogs’ firepower vs. Archers’ grit
By Jude Roque | Sharp Shooter – 2 hours 14 minutes ago Yahoo Sports

The National University Bulldogs hope to sustain their amazing winning streak in the Finals of the 2012 FilOil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup against the upset-conscious De La Salle Green Archers on Independence Day, June 12, at The Arena in San Juan City. Led by the spectacular Bobby Ray Parks, who has been averaging 18.5 points per game, the Bulldogs swept the elimination round and made mince meat of defending UAAP champions Ateneo Blue Eagles in the semis, 85-68, to book the first finals ticket.

But they will be challenged by a rejuvenated La Salle side, which slew three giants in a row, beginning with archrival Ateneo (62-59), then San Sebastian in the quarterfinals (84-70), and finally defending NCAA titlist San Beda in the semis (50-46). Under new coach Gee Abanilla, La Salle slowly worked its way up in this tournament through its tough and aggressive defense. DLSU allows its opponents just 63.8 points per game, which is third-best in the tournament. In the semis, the Archers limited the Red Lions to only 46 points, a far cry from the latter's average of 71.9 points. The Archers are very disciplined with their defensive rules and the effort of each member on the floor is evident.

NU, on the other hand, ranks first in scoring, with 81.3 points per game. Against the Eagles, Parks exploded with 30 points, on remarkable 12-of-17 shooting or 71%. He was unstoppable with his off-the-dribble jumpers. But what sealed the victory for NU was that the other Bulldogs also had their fingers in the scoring pie, with three others posting double digit numbers — Jeoff Javillionar (13 points), Denice Villamor (12 points), and Emmanuel Mbe (10 points). The team shot 51% from the field and converted 10 treys. This was just too much firepower even for a great defensive team like Ateneo. Coach Eric Altamirano's boys are playing beautiful music on the hard court and know their respective roles very well.

So it will be interesting to test the Bulldogs' offense versus the Archers' defense.
Also to watch out for is the match-up between Mbe and Norbert Torres of La Salle. Torres has shown tremendous improvement this season, especially with his post moves. He is the Archers' top scorer in the tournament with 11.6 per game. He totally outplayed San Beda import Olaide Adeogun, posting numbers of 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists versus the latter's 7 markers and 6 boards. Torres has become the main offensive weapon of DLSU inside the paint, which has also opened up its gunners.

The Archers have become deeper this year, without a doubt. The entry of rookie sensation Jeron Teng (11.5 points per game) has definitely been a huge lift for La Salle's scoring. LA Revilla, Almond Vosotros and Mark Tallo are also respectable shooters.

Many are convinced that NU will win the tournament on Tuesday, especially that it has been unconquered so far. But La Salle is riding on a staggering momentum after three straight colossal upset wins. The Archers are raring to prove that they will be a force to reckon with in the coming UAAP wars. And the Bulldogs are hungry for a basketball title they have not tasted in many years.

1100

June 11th, 2012, 04:36 PM

^^ Eh di ba si JaVale McGee nga maski purong Kano pero gagawing naturalized Filipino so he can play for the Philippine team. Parang di naman tama yan. There's something wrong with that picture. Di ako pabor dito kasi dapat yung may Filipino lineage ang magrepresent sa Philippine team para sa Pilipinas.

What about Marcus Douthit?

Shenzi

June 11th, 2012, 06:49 PM

Predictions time fellas ..who ya got

Okc in 6

Durant Mvp

1100

June 11th, 2012, 06:56 PM

OKC in 6

LeBron chokes in 4th quarter of crucial games :nuts: :nuts:

gmaer

June 11th, 2012, 09:52 PM

Predictions time fellas ..who ya got

Okc in 6

Durant Mvp

Same with me! :cheers:

anak_mm

June 12th, 2012, 12:02 AM

Not a big lebron fan but

Miami in 6,

Erik Spoelstra first pinoy Head coach to win an NBA champinoship?, yay! lol

i think he got a ring in 2006 as asst coach

gmaer

June 12th, 2012, 12:25 AM

Not a big lebron fan but

Miami in 6,

Erik Spoelstra first pinoy Head coach to win an NBA champinoship?, yay! lol

i think he got a ring in 2006 as asst coach

Erik Spoelstra was supposed to be the lead coach in the 2006 Miami Heat championship team but Pat Riley took over in December 2005 after Stan Van Gundy resigned as head coach so the credit of the Miami Heat's 1st NBA championship ring went to him.

Pat Riley has won 4 championship rings as a head coach with his former team -- the L.A. Lakers.

3cr

June 12th, 2012, 12:51 AM

Yup yup... OKC Thunder wins it's first NBA title and Durant is named NBA Finals MVP. That's been my original prediction and am sticking with it. Go Thunder! :okay: :okay: :cheers:

jhomai14

June 12th, 2012, 01:26 AM

Sana umabot hanggang Game 7, kahit sino manalo. But since the question is kung sino mananalo....I pick Thunder in 6. Their defense will have a field day vs. The Heat's isolation offense. They're also younger and have more weapons.

Split yung season nila both teams winning at there home court..
Thunder this time around has a deep bench.. and who will guard Harden?
Chalmers?

3cr

June 12th, 2012, 01:41 AM

^^ Depende sa line-up but I think the Heat is going to have match up problems. Fisher can guard Chalmers. Westbrook will probably guard either Chalmers or Wade. Sefalosha will probably guard Chalmers or Wade or LeBron. Harden will probably guard Chalmers or Wade or LeBron or even Battier. Durant will probably guard LeBron or Battier or Bosh. Collison can guard LeBron or Battier or Bosh or Haslem. Perkins can guard Haslem or Anthony. And Ibaka can guard Haslem, Anthony and protect the rim of course! Mahirapan ang Heat sa tingin ko since they don't have as deep and talented bench to play against this young and talented Thunder team. Exciting hopefully & not a blow out.

Planning Democracy

June 12th, 2012, 03:02 AM

Sad the Celtics lost... but I guess its time for the new generation? I hope the Celtics stay together for one more year, and by some miracle have a deeper bench of something.

Anyway, I hope OKC does its job and win the championship! Durant is way more likeable than Lebron. Although Lebron seems more desperate this year which makes him dangerous, but I feel OKC has the young legs plus the benefit of two veteran stars who have rings.

3cr

June 12th, 2012, 09:28 AM

Let the games begin - LeBron vs Durant, Heat vs Thunder, in NBA finals
Fox Sports

LeBron James versus Kevin Durant. It is the story of these NBA finals.

Except to the guys who share the top billing.

One of them will emerge with his first championship and probably the title of best player in the game.

It could be James, the three-time MVP. Or it might be Durant, the league's scoring champion the last three years.

All they know is whoever it is won't have done it alone.

''Everybody is going to make the most out of the matchup of me versus LeBron, but it's the Thunder versus the Heat,'' Durant said Monday. ''One guy versus another guy, it's not going to be a 1-on-1 matchup to win the series, it's going to be all about the team.''

Maybe, but it's easy to get caught up in their individual brilliance.

It's the first time the MVP and scoring champ have met in the finals since 1997, when Michael Jordan's Bulls knocked off MVP Karl Malone and Utah.

They are friends and workout partners, play the same small forward position and are blessed with unlimited basketball talent. After years of waiting on a James-Kobe Bryant finals matchup that never materialized, the league gets one starting Tuesday that's perhaps even better, if not quite as sexy, to wrap up a successful season after the lockout.

''It's great for the NBA,'' Miami's Shane Battier said. ''I anticipate record ratings, which is great, so maybe we can get some of the escrow check back from the owners. First and foremost, that's why I'm excited to see Kevin Durant versus LeBron James. But selfish reasons aside, it's just a great matchup.

''There's so many young, great players in this league and established players and All-Stars. If you're a basketball fan, you're missing out if you're not watching this series.''

Both have sworn off Twitter, at least for the time being, James posted his last message on April 27 and Durant on May 1.

For now, KingJames and KDTrey5 will stick to making their statements on the court.

''Kevin is locked in on what he needs to do to help the team win,'' Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook said. ''It's going to be a great series for both teams and hopefully we can come out with the win.''

James is back for a third crack at his first championship, his Cleveland Cavaliers swept aside by San Antonio in 2007 just a couple of weeks before Durant was drafted by the then-Seattle SuperSonics with the No. 2 pick in the draft.

James fell short again last year in his first season with Miami, then carried the Heat to another chance with victories in the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics, starting with a sensational, 45-point, 15-rebound Game 6 performance in Boston.

''You know, third time in the finals in nine years, there's a lot of guys who don't get there once,'' Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. ''Of course, that right there in itself is an honor. But you want to win one. You want to get there and win one. Obviously, LeBron wants to win a championship. I can't say that he wants to win more than the next man, than anybody on OKC. I can't say that. But obviously he wants to win and get another opportunity. I'm sure he will try to seize it a little bit better than he did the first two times.''

A disappointment last year in the Heat's six-game loss to Dallas, James has said he's been in a better frame of mind this season and is looking forward making up for his previous failure.

''I didn't play well. I didn't make enough game-changing plays that I know I'm capable of making and I felt like I let my teammates down,'' he said.

''I'm happy and I'm humbled that I can actually be back in this position less than 12 months later to do a better job of making more plays, more game-changing plays out on the floor on a bigger stage. So we'll see what happens.''

Though their core of Durant, Westbrook, sixth man of the year James Harden and Serge Ibaka are all 23 or younger, the Thunder enter as the favorites in their first finals appearance since moving to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008.

With signs backing the Thunder hanging from buildings throughout the city, Oklahoma City has watched Durant grow up from the player who arrived here as the rookie of the year. He received some guidance along the way from James, who reached out to Durant when he was in high school and then invited him to his home in Akron, Ohio, to work out last summer.

''For me, I understood what the situation he was getting himself into being drafted as high he was, and the things that came with being drafted to a team that needed a marquee player or superstar,'' James said. ''You know, from Day One I always lent my hand out to guide him if he needed it through anything, and that's on and off the floor, because to that point I seen everything, and I'm still learning. ...

''Our relationship is really good. Our relationship is going to continue to grow and I'm happy to be in this position where I can compete against him.''

Only one can be considered the best player in the game, and it's probably the guy who walks out of this series as a champion.

''I think it's going to bring the best out of both of them, and it's going to be the best for the game,'' Wade said, ''and it's going to be a great show.''

gmaer

June 12th, 2012, 09:28 AM

BergenScooterPatrol

June 12th, 2012, 04:34 PM

The Boston Celtics can entice good, championship hungry players to join them since it will be hard for the next champions to do this.

Ray Allen will surely go, KG is an unrestricted free agent but Boston may sign him for one more year or 2. Pierce is still on board as does Rondo. Avery will definitely be better next year. I hope they bring back Brandon Bass too. So basically, that's your first five right there:

pg - Rondo
sg- Avery (so versatile, he can play both guard position and is the best on-ball defender not named kobe )
sf - Pierce
pf - BBass
c - KG

but that team is not made for the long haul, and the front line looks thin, the depth of the bench is a big issue too, so off to the free agent market :

among the availables are:
C - Omer Asik (big man, can fill up space, probably better off the bench)
C- Roy Hibbert (long shot, but worth a try)
C - Chris Kaman (i really thought N.O. will buy him out, and the Celts will sign him up late this season. should be the greenies No. 1 priority next year )
C - Ben Wallace!!! (last option, just because)

F - Ersan Ilyasova (20-10 guy last half of the season)
F - Nicolas Batum (versatile wing man, can spell Pierce)
G/F - Anthony Parker (can spell rondo, avery and pierce)

Ray Allen's replacements:
G - Rudy Fernandez
G - Courtney Lee

but the key for holding this together is Coach Doc Rivers. W/O him, even with a complete line-up, the Celts may not go deep. and also, I hope they can steal a pretty good player in the upcoming NBA Draft. Hey, maybe they can trade and draft Austin Rivers, that'll be perfect.

1100

June 12th, 2012, 05:13 PM

Lee won't go anywhere, unless Morey gives a lot more money to Goran. Ayoko nang masira pa yung core ng Houston, unless si Kevin Martin ang ipamigay.

jhomai14

June 12th, 2012, 06:32 PM

It's evident that Ray's time in Boston is over. You can sense it from his post-game interview after that devastating Game 7 loss.

whoever they get, I hope these people won't develop any sudden heart conditions...

Boston should build around Rondo. Players that can compliment his running and passing. Boston is Rondo. Maybe even get Rondo have a say on who he wants to be teamed with.

Personal opinion - keep Bradley, Hollins, Bass and even Williams which I think should have been given more minutes nung na-acquire siya

jhomai14

June 12th, 2012, 06:38 PM

BergenScooterPatrol

June 12th, 2012, 08:18 PM

Report: Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo Had 'Friction' This Season (http://www.nesn.com/2012/06/report-ray-allen-rajon-rondo-had-friction-this-season.html)

Ray Allen hits the open market this summer, and if he doesn't return to Boston, it could be because of some tension with a teammate.

Allen had "friction" with Rajon Rondo this year, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, which could impact the veteran's decision in free agency.

"I think there's no question that the relationship was strained over this year," Mannix said of Allen and Rondo during an appearance on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan. "How strained is the key, and it's still a little bit unclear. There was some friction between those two. I think that could play a role in Ray's decision not to come back. Now, I agree, I think that Boston probably wasn't going to bring him back anyway, you're right, it's Avery Bradley's job and Ray isn't coming back to the Celtics to be a bench player, especially when he can be a bench player on a team that might be more likely to win a championship. But I think the relationship over the last year between Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo soured. Now, I'm not entirely clear as to how bad it got. But certainly I know that there was some legitimate, palpable friction between those two players and I think that will ultimately affect his decision in free agency."

Allen battled through injuries this season, and, as Mannix mentioned, Bradley really emerged as a legitimate impact player before going down with a shoulder injury. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising to see Allen leave Boston in free agency, although the news of "friction" is a bit shocking given how tight-knit the Celtics looked on the surface.

----Word is, Ray Allen is Miami Heat's top priority next summer

BergenScooterPatrol

June 12th, 2012, 08:21 PM

Top of the list should be McGee next would be Hibbert. I don't like Kaman coz he's already 30 and is injury prone.

Sana ma-retain big 4 + quality bench players for 1 more year,siguro naman BOSTON could get healthy players next year.

Mas maganda kasi yung 2013 FA class.

you are right, but i think Boston cannot afford McGee or Hibbert given the salary they'll give to Pierce and Rondo, and the money to entice KG for one more run. Kaman is cheaper and may command just the mid-level exception. Bu we'll never know.

3cr

June 12th, 2012, 09:16 PM

Yup Boston will not be able to afford Hibbert nor McGee. Besides Hibbert already said he wants to be back in Indiana and the same for McGee in Denver. So as long as both Indiana and Denver teams feel the same, then all they have to do is match up any salary offers and they should be able to keep their respective centers from going anywhere.

Celtics are really on a rebuilding mode now. Celtics really made a mistake in trading Kendrick Perkins (for Green) but the reason why they traded him was they felt they would not be able to resign him in the first place. This will make it hard to sign a good center then when Boston seems committed to resigning KG for good money than signing a good center so aside from drafting for a Center, it will be the likes of Chris Kaman, Kwame Brown and other journey man type Centers that the Celtics will be able to afford to sign as well as other team's Center rejects like Golden State's Andris Bedriens for example whom they've been actively shopping. Golden State might even throw in a draft pick or two ( they have 4) just so another team takes his contract from the Warriors.

gmaer

June 12th, 2012, 11:43 PM

Kevin Garnett might end up being the next Robert Parrish if he doesn't retire soon! Ray Allen and Paul Pierce should all go since they have already achieved winning an NBA Championship, I don't want them to be forcibly retired due to an injury which can handicap the rest of their lives.

It's time to build a new Boston Celtics around Rajon Rondo as the new team captain or else this team might face the same fate as Chauncey Billups' Detroit Pistons which tried so hard to gain another championship run but failed.

3cr

June 12th, 2012, 11:55 PM

Knicks should be able to beat the Celtics next season but still do need to get better as they will still have to face the likes of the Pacers, Bulls, and Heat.

gmaer

June 13th, 2012, 12:25 AM

Who will be the available free agents after this NBA season?

Is Marcus Camby still around and available? He should return to New York where as a Patrick Ewing replacement, helped the 8th seeded Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals. This was a 1st in NBA history!

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/cambyknicks.jpg

anak_mm

June 13th, 2012, 12:44 AM

Erik Spoelstra was supposed to be the lead coach in the 2006 Miami Heat championship team but Pat Riley took over in December 2005 after Stan Van Gundy resigned as head coach so the credit of the Miami Heat's 1st NBA championship ring went to him.

Pat Riley has won 4 championship rings as a head coach with his former team -- the L.A. Lakers.

oo nga dapat naka isa na pala sya

------------------------------

NU Bulldogs filoil tournament champs.

Parks shines anew as Bulldogs complete Filoil sweep
MANILA, Philippines – Bobby Ray Parks Jr. nailed huge baskets in the second half as the National University Bulldogs downed La Salle, 64-54, to complete a sweep of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup championship at The Arena in San Juan today.

Parks, who succumbed to La Salle's stingy defense in the first half, unloaded seven points in the final minutes of the third quarter to put NU ahead by three heading into the fourth.

With the Archers threatening to inch closer late in the final canto, the Bulldogs once again went to their prized skipper, and the reigning UAAP MVP delivered with a huge three to extend the lead to six with just a minute left in the game.

Parks finished with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists to tow NU to the Filoil championship, rightfully being named the tournament’s MVP.

Fellow mythical team member and FIloil Defensive Player of the Year Emmanuel Mbe also had a huge game, scattering 13 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, while Gelo Alolino added 10 points for the Bulldogs.

http://www.philstar.com/sportshub/uaapseason74/uaaparticle.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=816543

1100

June 13th, 2012, 01:51 AM

Is Marcus Camby still around and available? He should return to New York where as a Patrick Ewing replacement, helped the 8th seeded Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals. This was a 1st in NBA history!

Camby is likely to retire after this season.

3cr

June 13th, 2012, 02:14 AM

gmaer

June 13th, 2012, 03:16 AM

Camby is likely to retire after this season.

Too bad for the NCAA Player of the Year 2006, he did not win an NBA Championship but was a really good defensive player.

One of my key defenders in my NBA Live/2k custom team. :cheers:

3cr

June 13th, 2012, 05:41 AM

WooHoo the young home grown talent of the Thunder defeat the aging store bought talent of the Heat. Thunder wins 105-94 and lead the series 1-0. Game 2 still at OKC. :banana: :banana: :banana: :cheers:

Askal82

June 13th, 2012, 05:43 AM

Wow! Impressive from a young team here. It seems that Lebron et al would be having a problem on this one.

gmaer

June 13th, 2012, 06:23 AM

Great start for the Thunder! They excelled well in defense and outside shooting.

3cr

June 13th, 2012, 06:33 AM

^^ Yup Thunder defense and hustle translated to points on the other end which help spark their offensive outburst in the second half. Sefalosha did such an amazing job on Wade that Harden was basically relegated to the bench. Harden played very sparringly and only scored 5 pts and yet Thunder won by 11. What more if Harden finally gets hot and plays more? On the other hand I really doubt the scoring outburst of Battier and Chalmers tonite is sustainable through out the series and the Heat simply has no other bench help. Doesn't look good for the Heat. Well if this is the best the Heat can do, then they really have not much of a chance of beating the Thunder in this series. Sorry LeBron but KD's Thunder is just that much better than your Heat.

Kevin Durant, Thunder pull away from Heat, win Game 1
ESPN
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320612025

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant showed the MVP, LeBron James, how to play the fourth quarter in the NBA Finals.

Durant scored 17 of his 36 points in another nightmarish final period for James and his team, leading a Thunder storm that overwhelmed the Heat and gave Oklahoma City a 105-94 victory over Miami in Game 1 on Tuesday night.

Teaming with Russell Westbrook to outscore the Heat in the second half by themselves, Durant struck first in his head-to-head matchup with James, who had seven points in the final quarter and was helpless to stop the league's three-time scoring champion.

Westbrook turned around a poor shooting start to finish with 27 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Thunder, keying a strong finish to the third period that gave the Thunder the lead for good.

Durant took over from there.

Scoring in nearly every way possible, Durant finished 12-of-20 from the field and added eight rebounds. He and Westbrook outscored the Heat 41-40 over the final two periods, showing that maybe this time it will be offense that wins championships.

James finished with 30 points, his most in any of his 11 Finals games, but had only one basket over the first 8:15 of the fourth, when the Thunder seized control of a game they trailed for all but the final few seconds of the first three quarters.

James averaged just three points in the fourth quarters of the Heat's six-game loss to Dallas last year, taking almost all the heat for Miami's Finals failure. He was good in this one, Durant was just better.

And when fans chanted "MVP! MVP!" late in the game, they weren't talking about James, the guy who won the regular-season award.

They meant Durant, who is in a race with James for his first ring -- and maybe the title of best player in the game.

Dwyane Wade had 19 points but shot just 7-of-19 for the Heat, while Shane Battier provided some rare offense by scoring 17 points, his high this postseason.

Turning to a small lineup late in the third quarter, the Thunder improved to 9-0 at home in the postseason. Defensive ace Thabo Sefolosha helped defend James during the Thunder's comeback, relieving Durant of the burden so he could focus on his scoring.

And right now, nobody does it better.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said his team, pushed to seven games against Boston in a grueling conference finals the Heat finally won Saturday, preferred this quick turnaround. But perhaps they ran out of gas against the young Thunder, whose core players are all 23 or younger and look as if they could keep playing all night.

James and Wade both were bent over, hands on knees, during one stoppage with about seven minutes remaining. Durant kept pouring it on, racing down the court to throw down a fast-break dunk and later adding a 3-pointer that pushed it to 87-81 with 6½ minutes remaining.

The Heat got within four points, but Durant hit two quick baskets and Westbrook added another for a 10-point lead with 3:35 to go.

It's been a rapid rise toward the top for the Thunder, who started 3-29 in 2008-09, their first season here after moving from Seattle. Fans were clearly embracing the Finals' arrival in Oklahoma City, where cars, buildings and even fans' hair seemed to be painted some form of orange or blue.

Fans standing until the Thunder's first basket didn't have to wait long, Durant knocking down a baseline jumper 70 seconds in. He made his first three shots, including two 3-pointers, but his teammates missed their first six attempts in falling into an early hole.

Durant made sure they were fine at the end.

Both superstars tried to downplay their individual matchup, Durant insisting it was about the team and James adamant that he didn't care about the best-player-in-the-game argument.

It was James' supporting cast that stepped up bigger to start, the Heat hitting five of their six 3-point attempts in jumping to a 29-22 lead after one quarter. Spoelstra kept Chris Bosh as a reserve, the role he has played since returning from a nine-game absence with a strained lower abdominal muscle. Smart decision, as Battier hit his first three 3-point attempts in the opening minutes to spark Miami's strong start.

Durant took only one shot in the second quarter, and it wasn't until nine minutes had passed. By then, the Heat had built a lead as large as 13 points, keeping it in or near double digits most of the period before the Thunder sliced it to 54-47 at halftime.

Seemingly every fan was wearing the blue shirts hung on their chairs before the game -- an exception being rapper Lil Wayne, who caused a stir during the Western Conference finals when he posted on Twitter that the Thunder wouldn't let him into their arena, with the team saying simply that he needed to buy tickets if he wanted to come. He did, he and his guest both wearing black.

The sea of blue around the court looked like the scene last year in Dallas, where James struggled so badly when it mattered most. He admitted letting his team down, vowing he would have no regrets about his performance this time around.

Unfortunately, the result was all too familiar to the Heat.

James quickly answered after Oklahoma City tied the game for the first time at 60-all midway through the third, banking in a shot and powering in for a layup and a quick four-point lead. The Heat pushed the lead back to five, but the Thunder kept coming, finally pulling ahead for the first time when Westbrook darted into the lane and was fouled while scoring with 16.4 seconds remaining, the free throw making it 74-73.

Baskets by Durant and Sefolosha to open the fourth pushed it to a five-point lead, and the Heat never recovered.

gmaer

June 13th, 2012, 08:07 AM

^^ Tabo Sefolosha also did a great job defending LeBron James in the 4th quarter.

http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnbaexperts/LeBron-James-scrunchin-it-up.-AP.jpg

3cr

June 13th, 2012, 08:56 AM

^^ Westbrook was great as well (actually on both end of the court). Pati nga rin ang lolong si Fisher gave Chalmers such a hard time scoring on the second half. Scoring is almost a given especially with Durant but I have to say I really like what I saw in the way the Thunder defended tonite and I think they'll get even better as the series progress. Mukhang tagilid ang Heat.

1100

June 13th, 2012, 02:50 PM

^^ Is Houston going to resign Dragic or letting him go totally into free agency? Just that it may be to the Rockets advantage if they can do a sign and trade for something (players, draft picks, combination of both, etc.) as oppose to just letting him go for nothing. There'll be many teams interested in him. Actually he's even better than J.Lin imho.

Of course, every Rockets fan wants him to stay. Kitang-kita naman yung production nya, lalo na nung nawala si Kyle Lowry. From what I remember, Houston has a sizeable salary cap space this off-season so they can still acquire quality players. Pero si Dragic ata ang major player to re-sign ni GM Morey.

Pwede na nila itapon si K-Mart. :D

jhomai14

June 13th, 2012, 03:29 PM

Terrific comeback by the Thunder and securing the win.

Was surprised to see Collison play a lot of minutes under the Thunder's small ball lineup. But he did a great job on the boards nonetheless.

Ganda na sana nung contribution ni Battier at Chalmers nung first half, pagdating ng second half naging parang stagnant na yung offense. Kulang din sa intensity on defensive end ang Heat kanina. Ang daming instance na di nila makuha kahit easy rebound, ayaw humabol at ayaw mag box out.

Collison FTW. No need to worry for Ibaka and Perkins to be in foul trouble kung ganito palagi ilalaro nya.

spearhead

June 13th, 2012, 04:14 PM

I want miami to lose as much as possible, but if they win the series, its still ok. The only thing i like about miami is they are being coached by a half-pinoy, thats all. :lol:

gmaer

June 13th, 2012, 10:25 PM

When did Erik Spoelstra recognized his Filipino roots? He has been in the NBA since 1995 but it was only recent that he introduced himself as half-Filipino, I wonder why?

absinthe_888

June 14th, 2012, 02:16 AM

^^ Gawa lang ng PHL media.

spearhead

June 14th, 2012, 02:31 AM

^^Alam nyo naman sa pinas eh, malaman lang na may pinoy blood ka tapos sikat ka then big deal:

He is the son of Dutch-Irish-American Jon Spoelstra, who was an NBA executive for the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Buffalo Braves and New Jersey Nets, and the grandson of the late Watson Spoelstra, a sportswriter in the Detroit area. His mother, Elisa Celino, is from San Pablo, Laguna in the Philippines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Spoelstra

Gawa kaya yan ng pinoy media? :lol:

jhomai14

June 14th, 2012, 03:49 AM

When did Erik Spoelstra recognized his Filipino roots? He has been in the NBA since 1995 but it was only recent that he introduced himself as half-Filipino, I wonder why?

ang tagal na pala nya sa NBA. Im guilty, when the brouhaha came out that there Eric Spoelstra was a Fil-Am coach, i started liking MIAMI HEAT :lol: Nakatuon lng talaga pansin ko dati sa three teams ng NBA, and they were CELTICS, LAKERS and BULLS. :lol:

gmaer

June 14th, 2012, 04:40 AM

Erik Spoelstra over shadowed 1975 NCAA Champion Raymond Townsend in the NBA when it comes to popularity among us Filipino NBA Fans.

915bungohunter

June 14th, 2012, 08:08 AM

MOA ARENA
An inside look at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
courtesy of Paul Lachica
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/599802_250924945016309_1274498015_n.jpg

gmaer

June 14th, 2012, 09:43 AM

^^ WoW! Maglalaro ba ang PBA dyan? Sayang hindi naabutan ng MBA ito! :lol:

3cr

June 14th, 2012, 09:47 AM

^^ Nice! UAAP ba ang bibinyag niyan?

gmaer

June 14th, 2012, 10:03 AM

^^ Yan ba yung ipinatayo ni Manny V. Pangilinan para sa Sacramento Kings bidding?

manilace

June 14th, 2012, 10:06 AM

UAAP Season 75 Opening Weekend Men's Srs Basketball Schedule (SM MOA Arena):

July 14, Sat,
2pm-NU v UE,
4pm-UST v FEU;

July 15, Sun,
2pm - DLSU v UP,
4pm- AdU v ADMU

LIVE on Studio 23

via Facebook 'The Official ABS-CBN Sports Page'

3cr

June 14th, 2012, 10:07 AM

Mike Tyson's ode to LeBron James... It's a funny one! :lol: :lol: :lol:

7GpdUjgPYRE

915bungohunter

June 14th, 2012, 02:16 PM

^^ Yan ba yung ipinatayo ni Manny V. Pangilinan para sa Sacramento Kings bidding?
SM ang nagpatayo nyan mahilig kasi sa Sports si Mr Hans SY:)

1100

June 14th, 2012, 03:06 PM

^^ Nice! UAAP ba ang bibinyag niyan?

NCAA muna.

jhomai14

June 14th, 2012, 03:52 PM

2 other games are in Araneta. Sched according to my brother in Loyola:

All games Ateneo vs...
July 15 vs Adamson, MOA, 4 pm
July 19 vs NU, MOA, 4pm
July 22 vs UST, MOA, 4 pm
July 29 vs DLSU, MOA, 4 pm
Aug 4 vs UE, MOA, 4 pm
Aug 9 vs UP, Araneta, 2 Pm
Aug 12 vs FEU, Araneta, 4 pm

Sorry for being biased, hehehe. YUng mga games lng ng Blue Eagles ang pinost ko for the UAAP Season 75.

jhomai14

June 14th, 2012, 03:54 PM

Break muna sa NBA.....

Coach Norman however seems to think that NU will be the team to beat. Who let the dogs out?

Last year, with "a walk in the Ray Parks" in their line-up, NU was supposed to barge into the final four. They only barged into the MVP because they massaged the minutes and production of Parks. And I heard that Mbe is hard to manage. This season though, their team SEEMS to have matured and they SEEM to have a complete roster and their outside sniping killed the Blue Eagles. So they SEEM to be bona-fide contenders. After all, the richest tycoon of the Phils. is their owner. So we'll see.

here's a new's clip:

Beware of Bulldogs
By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)
Updated June 14, 2012 12:00 AM

(Members and officials of the National University team, led by team owner Hans Sy, celebrate their victory in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup. The Bulldogs beat the La Salle Green Archers in the final, 64-54, at the Filoil Flying A Arena in San Juan. Joey Mendoza)

MANILA, Philippines - National University coach Eric Altamirano knows fully well that the Filoil pre-season tournament, despite its composition, is far more different than the UAAP – in terms of pressure, level of competition and prestige.

But Altamirano believes the Bulldogs’ record victory in the recent Filoil tilt spoke well of the caliber of the team ready to go for the big one starting next month.

“I know the UAAP is completely different from this tournament (Filoil),” said Altamirano after steering the Bulldogs to the Filoil crown via an 11-0 sweep, capped by their 64-54 victory over the La Salle Archers last Wednesday.

“But at least, they (UAAP teams) will be wary of us this time when before we were the ones who are afraid of them,” added Altamirano.

With renewed confidence, the Bulldogs, headed by Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe, will indeed be the marked team when the UAAP kicks off its new season on July 14 at the newly built Mall of Asia Arena.

But Altamirano insists the team is not just a two-man combo but also boasts of a deep bench ready to step up at any given time.

“The big difference is that we now have many weapons…we have outside shooters and even our big men can hit the long shots now,” said Altamirano.

He, however, maintains that traditional powerhouse teams like Ateneo, Far Eastern U, La Salle and even University of Santo Tomas will still be the favorites in the upcoming season.

“There’s no guarantee but I think we can,” said Altamirano when asked if NU can finally end a title drought spanning almost six decades.

The Bulldogs won their first and only UAAP championship in 1954.

Ateneo coach Norman Black, seeking to pilot the Eagles to a five-peat feat in his final year, agrees.

“NU and La Salle will have a strong chance of making it to the Final Four, so expect a more exciting UAAP this season,” said Black

3cr

June 14th, 2012, 05:50 PM

^^ Speaking of UAAP, sana nga maka record setting 5peat ang Ateneo this season! :okay: :okay: :cheers:

Norman Black going for Ateneo ‘five-peat’
By Beth Celis
Philippine Daily Inquirer

When I got word that Norman Black was still going to be head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles this coming UAAP season, I immediately concluded that the projected shuffling of coaches among the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned teams was again aborted.

That’s because an unimpeachable insider, who had informed me about the forthcoming revamp, said that this movement would depend largely on finding a replacement for the man who gave the Blue Eagles not only a rare “four-peat” in the UAAP, but several other championships in his six years with Ateneo.
With this kind of achievement, my source said MVP thought Norman deserved a promotion—it was time for him to move up.

* * *

Actually, Norman should have been sitting on the Talk ‘N Text bench starting this 37th PBA season, if only the Ateneo alumni did not violently contest his departure, and the incumbent Talk ‘N Text coach did not ask for an extension.

Chot Reyes had asked MVP for an executive position and it was granted. My source said he has been appointed executive director of the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation last year and bringing Kobe Bryant and some of the biggest NBA stars to the Philippines was his first project.

While Chot believed that he could simultaneously handle both the executive position and the TNT head coaching post, his bosses felt that he had to make a choice because being executive director of the MVP Sports Foundation is a full-time job.

Finally, the two parties came to an agreement. Chot could hold both the executive position and the head coaching job at Smart Gilas, which was not as demanding and pressure-packed as that of TNT.
From what I was told, he probably would not have minded if he was allowed to trade places with Norman.

* * *

“So you see, the revamp is going to happen after all, with only a slight adjustment in timetable. The alumni is pleading for a ‘five-peat’ from Norman, which technically could be accomplished by another coach. But they have pleaded for Norman to stay on for another season. Meanwhile, a search committee has been formed by the Ateneo alumni in an effort to find a suitable replacement for the ex-PBA import and PBA head coach,” explained the insider.

By the PBA’s 38th season, Norman should be sitting on the TNT bench with his coaching entourage at Ateneo, while Chot prepares the Smart Gilas team for its next major international assignment.

So far, only Olsen Racela and two other foreign candidates are being seriously considered to fill Norman’s shoes.

gaLj

June 14th, 2012, 07:32 PM

NCAA muna.

No. It's the UAAP.

NCAA will hold most of its games in the Aranate Coliseum including their Opening Day and probably Cheer Leading Dance Competition.

PS: NCAA opening day ticket.
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/825/56039530718815603741615.jpg

I do not own this photo. Full credit belongs owner of the Photo.

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 01:07 AM

Ngayon ba Game 2 ng 2012 NBA Finals? Go Thunder for a 2-0 lead! :cheers:

3cr

June 15th, 2012, 03:06 AM

^^ Yup game 2 starts in a few... Go Thunder! :banana: :banana: :banana:

doctor joe

June 15th, 2012, 03:11 AM

2-0 sa thunder!!!

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 03:42 AM

Naku laki ng lamang ng Miami Heat sa simula palang ng 1st quarter!

MIA 29 vs. OKC 15 @ 2nd quarter 11:14

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba

Go Thunder Go!! DEFENSE!!!

doctor joe

June 15th, 2012, 04:03 AM

sa 3rd at 4th quarter humahabol ang Thunder... kahit 30 points pa lamang ng HEAT hahabulin at tatalunin sila ng THUNDER!!!

hehehehehehehehe

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 04:12 AM

Lamang parin ang Miami Heat with 1:40 left sa 1st half! :ohno:

3cr

June 15th, 2012, 04:31 AM

Heat playing much better than in game 1 while Thunder started slowly like in the last game. Dose (12) ang lamang at halftime almost the same like in game 1 but it's usually in the 3rd qtr that the Thunder normally catch up and change momentum. Let's see how they do at the end of the 3rd qtr. Go Thunder! :banana: :banana: :banana:

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 04:42 AM

Lead cut to 10 with 9 minutes left! Go Thunder make it a 2-0 series lead!! Injure James with a hard flagrant foul!!! :cheers:

3cr

June 15th, 2012, 05:50 AM

Man the refs bailed out Miami. That's a LeBron foul on Durant with 7 seconds left which could have tied the game and worse was fouled by Westbrook during the lose ball. LeBron makes the 2 freethrows and pushed the Heat lead to 4. The ref's bad call completely halted the Thunder rally and sealed the game for the Heat. Miami wins 100-96 and ties the series 1-1. Game 3 at Miami.

hugodiekonig

June 15th, 2012, 05:51 AM

ang init ng laban miami ties the game 1-1
2nd game Miami 100 - 96 Oklahoma City

absinthe_888

June 15th, 2012, 06:03 AM

2-0 sa thunder!!!

1-1 :D

LeChoke hits all 12 FTs :lol:

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 06:44 AM

Heat survive late charge from Thunder to win Game 2 (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--heat-survive-late-charge-from-thunder-to-win-game-2.html;_ylt=ApuZMVEfYc0SGqK4o9xOa0K8vLYF)
By Marc J. Spears | Yahoo! Sports – 42 minutes ago

OKLAHOMA CITY – Just like they have throughout their dominating playoff run, the Oklahoma City Thunder made another relentless, furious push late in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. This time, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade put a stop to it.

Barely.

Kevin Durant missed a short baseline pull-up jumper over LeBron James and James followed with two free throws as the Miami Heat escaped with a 100-96 victory. The Miami Heat now return home with the Finals even at a game apiece.

The Thunder had reason to cry foul after the game. James appeared to have his arm hooked under Durant on Durant's shot in the closing seconds. There also was an apparent blown goal-tending call early in the game that loomed large in the final moments.

James led the Heat with 32 points while Wade shook off his Game 1 struggles to finish with 24.

Durant scored 32 points as the Thunder nearly pulled off another remarkable comeback. Miami controlled much of the game before Durant and Russell Westbrook led the fourth-quarter charge.

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/5uRFV1iPntmckP9kLeovsQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTMxMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/gettyimages.com/miami-heat-v-oklahoma-city-20120614-211342-519.jpg
LeBron James scored 32 points in Miami's thrilling Game 2 victory against OKC. (Getty Images)

[nightfury]

June 15th, 2012, 10:08 AM

sa 3rd at 4th quarter humahabol ang Thunder... kahit 30 points pa lamang ng HEAT hahabulin at tatalunin sila ng THUNDER!!!

hehehehehehehehe

hahaha. pero di pa rin nila nahabol ang lamang(muntik lang:lol:) at di nila natalo ang Heat :D ang ganda ng laban ng dalawang manok ko! Go Thunder! Go Heat! :cheer:

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 10:22 AM

Game 3 in Miami, Florida? When in Filipino date/time? I should have watched the game live so the Thunder would win because the difference between Games 1 & 2 was that I watched Game 1, the lucky charm was on me! Hahaha :lol:

3cr

June 15th, 2012, 10:33 AM

^^ Game 3 in US time is on Sunday, June 17, 8pm eastern time. Nuod ka para manalo ang Thunder! :)

gmaer

June 15th, 2012, 10:56 AM

Naku baka may hangover pa ko dahil weekend yan! Naglaro ako ng NBA 2k12 (updated rosters, no modified/created players) at nanalo ang Thunder vs. Heat in 5 games, parehas CPU controlled teams without human intervention. :lol:

3cr

June 15th, 2012, 11:15 AM

jhomai14

June 15th, 2012, 02:38 PM

What a cardiac game...Lebron escape with those clutch foul on Kevin Durant.

Then the biggest factor of this game is SHane Battier..from game 1 till now he did pretty will taking those outside shots since the 1st Quarter. Is this his first Finals appearance. Sorry, hindi ko mare-call yung 2010 season. He's playing like he's been there as much as Kobe and Fisher were. :nuts:

Let's see if Shane can consistently hit those threes at Miami.

By the way, the crowd in Oklahoma is pumped up. Actually, that was the first time I see the Arena with two distinct colors, were fans wearing blue and white on the other side. Ang galing diba. :cheers: Too bad, the next three games will be in Miami. Crucial games ahead.

P.S
Im watching the ABS-CBN telecast, and i dont like BOOM GONZALES covering the games. :lol: basta , ewan ko ba. mas gusto ko pa si Quinito Henson for this matter:lol:

San-Mat

June 15th, 2012, 02:43 PM

San-Mat

June 15th, 2012, 02:53 PM

^^ Natalo Thunder kanina dahil sa lintek na referee. Durant while making a shot was fouled by LeBron in the last 7 seconds of the game which could have tied the game and possibly ending in OT but the referee didn't call the foul tapos to add insult to injury called a foul on Westbrook because LeBron ended up with the ball which gave LeBron 2 free throws which he made. Stretched the lead to 4 di na tuloy nakahabol. Kabwisit talaga. Bawi na lang next time. Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Miami was giving the game away.
5 point lead in 50 sec and possession of the ball.
They almost let it slip through their fingers.

Didn't like Lebron firing that 3 pointer near the end. He should have been attacking. Heat deserved to win that game. Seemed that they wanted that game more than OKC.

OKC in the last 3 games has started slow and just makes a comeback in the 2nd half. Good learning lesson for them that its a 48 min game not a 24 min game. That crowd was pumped up no way they should be starting slow in 1st 2 games of the finals.

jhomai14

June 15th, 2012, 02:59 PM

anak_mm

June 15th, 2012, 03:04 PM

By the way, the crowd in Oklahoma is pumped up. Actually, that was the first time I see the Arena with two distinct colors, were fans wearing blue and white on the other side. Ang galing diba. :cheers: Too bad, the next three games will be in Miami. Crucial games ahead.

I think cities that only have a Basketball team & no NFL/NHL/MLB teams tend to have much crazier fans

like Portland, Sacramento, Oklahoma, & maybe Utah/Salt Lake,

1100

June 15th, 2012, 03:51 PM

P.S
Im watching the ABS-CBN telecast, and i dont like BOOM GONZALES covering the games. :lol: basta , ewan ko ba. mas gusto ko pa si Quinito Henson for this matter:lol:

You would have hated more those 2 last year :nuts:

doctor joe

June 16th, 2012, 03:50 AM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196089_314034158683517_595217316_n.jpg

doctor joe

June 16th, 2012, 03:51 AM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/522654_313887362031530_131892918_n.jpg

gmaer

June 16th, 2012, 06:37 AM

Dinaya ba ang Miami Heat?

1100

June 16th, 2012, 06:37 AM

^^ CHOKER ka naman! :nuts: :nuts:

:rofl:

gmaer

June 16th, 2012, 08:55 AM

^^ CHOKER ka naman! :nuts: :nuts:

:rofl:

Ano CHOKER?

gmaer

June 16th, 2012, 09:00 AM

Chris Bosh's return to starting lineup boosts Heat (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--chris-bosh-s-return-to-starting-lineup-boosts-heat.html;_ylt=A0PDlNn9LdxPn1oAFgW8vLYF)
By Marc J. Spears | Yahoo! Sports – 8 hours ago

OKLAHOMA CITY – Chris Bosh and his wife, Adrienne, were the picture of contentment as they talked late Thursday in a hallway leading from the Oklahoma City Thunder's locker room. Kevin Durant walked past the couple, and he was not the picture of contentment. Eyes locked forward, disappointment on his face, Durant didn't even appear to notice the couple.

What Durant did notice: Bosh's impact on the Miami Heat as he returned to the starting lineup. Starting for the first time since he suffered an abdominal injury, Bosh totaled 16 points, a playoff career-high 15 rebounds and two blocks in the Heat's 100-96 Game 2 victory over the Thunder.

“I just wanted to be more aggressive coming out starting,” Bosh said. “I knew it had been a huge deal the past day or so. But that’s my comfort zone. That’s what I’ve been doing.”

What is the Thunder's answer to Chris Bosh since much focus was made on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade? Chris Bosh surely capitalized the fact that the Thunder's defensive pressure was on the All-Star Duo.

3cr

June 16th, 2012, 09:53 AM

jhomai14

June 16th, 2012, 04:04 PM

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/4490975_700b.jpg

wala naman sana mapikon na Lebron James fan dito, just for kicks lang :lol:
At least that was not the case in Game 2.

jhomai14

June 16th, 2012, 04:08 PM

^^ LeBron and Dwade can be contained but it's Battier and Bosh that's been the x factor for the Heat. I don't think the Thunder was expecting this two to be such difference makers given Battier's past performances and Bosh's recent injury. Now that they caught the Thunder's attention, let's see what adjustments the Thunder will make in game 3.

On Monday, I can see the Thunder will be more desperate to win. In Game 3, baka sumentro ang defense nila kina Battier, Chalmers and maybe Miller( he is not yet explode in the last i think 5 games).

Honestly, im just wondering about sa commentary nila Boom Gonzales at TJ Manotoc na lucky ang panalo ng Heat on that Game 2. I dont really see the point either. It must have been the refs maybe.

jhomai14

June 16th, 2012, 04:13 PM

According to some NBA experts, (and yes they were Pinoys) for the record, NO TEAM has won the NBA Championship w/out an All Star big men (PF/C).
Here's some in the last 12 yrs.

1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 Spurs - Tim Duncan and David Robinson
2000-02 Lakers - Shaquille O'neal
2004 Pistons - Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace
2006 Heat - Shaquille O'neal
2008 Celtics - Kevin Garnett
2009 - 10 Lakers - Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum
2011 Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
2012 ?? Thunder - No all star big man
Heat - Chris Bosh

So what do you think forumers? Or maybe a coincidence?

1100

June 16th, 2012, 04:48 PM

I'm thinking na hindi makaka-apekto yun sa OKC.

3cr

June 17th, 2012, 12:06 AM

On Monday, I can see the Thunder will be more desperate to win. In Game 3, baka sumentro ang defense nila kina Battier, Chalmers and maybe Miller( he is not yet explode in the last i think 5 games).

Honestly, im just wondering about sa commentary nila Boom Gonzales at TJ Manotoc na lucky ang panalo ng Heat on that Game 2. I dont really see the point either. It must have been the refs maybe.

^^ Siguro they were just talking about the lucky break non call LeBron foul on Durant in the last 7 seconds of the game which could have tied the game. Anyway that's over now so bawi na lang ang Thunder sa game 3 and beyond. Sana maka-isa agad ang Thunder so they have a bigger chance of winning 2 out of 3 in Miami and close at home. Thunder needs to win atleast 1 game out of the 3 that they will be playing in Miami so that they get homecourt advantage back for games 6 and/or possibly game 7 if needed. Let's see how it goes. Bukas na ang game 3! Go Thunder! :cheers:

1100

June 17th, 2012, 04:08 AM

Feeling ko kahit walang foul di rin papasok yung bola eh. Way short kasi.

3cr

June 17th, 2012, 04:25 AM

^^ Yup Durant's shot was off but LeBron had his hand on Durant's thigh area as Durant made the shot close to the rim. Now did that cause Durant to miss the shot? I don't know. But that foul by LeBron on Durant if called would have given Durant 2 free throws which chances are he would have made which would have tied the game with less than 7 seconds left. Miami with no more TO would have needed to in bound and cross the full length of the court to get off a decent 3 pointer to win the game or it would have been OT. But because the fould was't called, it changed the complexion of the game completely.

1100

June 17th, 2012, 04:33 AM

I don't think so. LeBron's arm hit Durant's thigh after making the shot. Kabado lang siguro talaga.

3cr

June 17th, 2012, 04:34 AM

Is the Zen Master bitter or just being honest...

Jackson: No temptation to coach 'clumsy' Knicks
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8058726/phil-jackson-says-coach-clumsy-new-york-knicks-team

Phil Jackson says he wouldn't have wanted to coach the New York Knicks -- even if the team asked.

"I wasn't gonna take that job; that's for sure," he told HBO's "Real Sports" in an interview scheduled to air Tuesday night.

Jackson -- who won 11 championships as coach of the Bulls and Lakers -- said Knicks owner James Dolan never called him about the job.

Jackson, 66, was a member of two Knicks championship teams and said he has thought about coaching in New York, but wouldn't want to lead the current team because it's "clumsy."

"They don't fit together well. (Amare) Stoudemire doesn't fit well with Carmelo (Anthony)," said Jackson, when asked to expand on "clumsy." "Stoudemire's a really good player. But he's gotta play in a certain system and a way.

"Carmelo has to be a better passer. And the ball can't stop every time it hits his hands. They need to have someone come in that can kinda blend that group together."

Jackson, who retired after the 2010-11 season, was heavily rumored to be a candidate for the position before the Knicks eventually removed Mike Woodson's interim tag and give him a multiyear contract in late May.

Jackson said the Knicks and Orlando Magic openings this offseason were not the positions to bring him back to the bench.

He says he wasn't interested in Orlando because it's too far from his Montana home.

___________________

Like what I was saying before, Knicks really need a veteran point guard to run this team because J.Lin is still pretty new and raw a PG to be able tell Melo how things should be. They should really go after a PG like Steve Nash this off season.

Jackson calls out Melo
Is What’s Good For Carmelo Anthony, Good For The Knicks?
Yardbarker
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/is_whats_good_for_carmelo_anthony_good_for_the_knicks/11028008

When a man who as a coach has led 11 teams to an NBA Championship, refers to your roster as “clumsy,” it might be a good time for a franchise to re-evaluate its game-plan. That was the label that former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers bench boss Phil Jackson, stuck on the New York Knicks, in an interview that will air Tuesday night on “HBO Real Sports.” As previously reported, the member of the Basketball Hall Of Fame, told reporter Andrea Kremer, that he did not believe the Knicks individual players form a cohesive unit.

Jackson told Kremer “Well, they don’t fit together well. (Amar’e) Stoudemire doesn’t fit well with Carmelo. Stoudemire’s a really good player. But he’s gotta play in a certain system and a way. Carmelo has to be a better passer. And the ball can’t stop every time it hits his hands. They need to have someone come in that can kinda blend that group together.”

The former coach, is far from the first person to voice these criticisms, however when a man with his track record speaks, people tend to pay attention. His observations carry a lot more weight than the words of most other former coaches, simply because of what he has been able to carry out while on the bench.

While New York has three very talented players in their starting front-court, with Anthony and Stoudemire joined by center Tyson Chandler, the sum of the whole so far has been less than the individual parts. One major reason is the fact that Anthony insists that the offense goes through him and many times when he gets the rock, he just jacks up a shot without looking first for better options to score. Right now, the Knicks are kind of like a jigsaw puzzle that is missing that connecting piece, a take-charge point guard, who will be in charge of distributing the ball.

They had that player on their roster, as Chauncey Billups came over to the Knicks with Anthony in the trade with the Denver Nuggets in 2011. However, they would release him via the NBA Amnesty Clause, before the start of this season to have the cap space to sign Chandler.

New York tried to fill the starting slot, with many players, however none of them were the forceful floor general that would set the offense. The only time they had success at the point, was when Anthony was sidelined by injury at the same time that Jeremy Lin had his coming-out party in the Association, dominating his opponents and winning the hearts of Knicks fans in the process. When Anthony returned to the lineup however, things soon bogged down again and just when the two seemed to be getting on the same page, Lin was lost for the season after having minor surgery.

There is no denying the individual talent that Carmelo Anthony possesses, however the gifts that he is possesses have never translated into success for his team. While Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (who were drafted the same year that the Knicks forward was) are in their third appearance in the NBA Finals; with Wade already having won a Title; Anthony has yet to appear in even one. The Nuggets had a talent-laden roster, yet he could never lead his team past the Western Conference Finals.

So the question becomes; what will it take for Anthony to evolve into the type of leader that can take a team to the Finals and win an NBA Championship and can it be done with the Knicks? Anthony needs to be on a team with a strong coach, a veteran point guard who runs the offense and teammates who will force him to fit into their system. New York really does not fit that description at this time.

Anthony will be back at Madison Square Garden again next season, whether he heeds Jackson’s advice and starts to become more of a team player with New York, remains to be seen.

absinthe_888

June 17th, 2012, 06:05 AM

^^ CHOKER ka naman! :nuts: :nuts:

:rofl:

12/12 FTs, choker pa din?

Shoots all FTs + defense = not good enough. MIA loses = James gets all the blame. Poor guy

1100

June 17th, 2012, 10:59 AM

Joke lang yun. :D

If Miami ever loses this series, I'll blame Wade.

doctor joe

June 17th, 2012, 03:05 PM

wade and chalmers!!!

eco.city

June 18th, 2012, 01:52 AM

Ang dapat e blame yong mga bench players, upo at nanonood lang walang ginagawa. :lol:

gmaer

June 18th, 2012, 02:10 AM

Is game 3 today? Good luck Thunder! Go 2-1 :banana:

eco.city

June 18th, 2012, 02:16 AM

Go MIAMI 2 - 1 :lol:

absinthe_888

June 18th, 2012, 02:43 AM

Joke lang yun. :D

If Miami ever loses this series, I'll blame Wade.

If OKC loses the series, I'll blame Westbrook :D

Gusto ata nun 50FGA/game e :lol:

doctor joe

June 18th, 2012, 04:41 AM

85-88 miami leads less than a minute

doctor joe

June 18th, 2012, 04:44 AM

MIAMI 2-1 OKLAHOMA

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

[nightfury]

June 18th, 2012, 04:53 AM

miami 91-85 okc :D

absinthe_888

June 18th, 2012, 04:53 AM

^^ Bakit oh no...dapat oh yes! :D

Langya si Wade, from hero to zero to hero ulit...whew

1100

June 18th, 2012, 05:09 AM

Harden was a non-factor today. Nanlambot ata :nuts:

gmaer

June 18th, 2012, 05:30 AM

;92471126']miami 91-85 okc :D

Final na ba yan? Damn! Oonga noh... :ohno:

LeBron James lead Heat past Thunder in Game 3 of NBA Finals (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--lebron-james-lead-heat-past-thunder-in-game-3-of-nba-finals-.html;_ylt=AkF.yB.mq_HjIR1lfbMOjpC8vLYF)
By Marc J. Spears | Yahoo! Sports – 32 minutes ago

OKLAHOMA CITY – LeBron James wrestled control of the NBA Finals away from Kevin Durant, scoring 29 points to lead the Miami Heat to a thrilling 89-85 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 on Sunday night.

The Heat lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Tuesday.

Dwyane Wade totaled 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Heat. Kevin Durant scored 25 points, but was again bothered by foul trouble.

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/B.oftYJCTwi3U9KeW0XZFg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTMxMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/gettyimages.com/2012-nba-finals-game-three-20120617-174056-578.jpg
For the second straight game, LeBron James outclassed Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter. (Getty Images)

It will be 2-2 on Game 4~! :banana:

3cr

June 18th, 2012, 10:17 AM

Dang talo nanaman ang Thunder! Game 4 dapat Thunder naman ang manalo para series will be tied 2-2 because if the Thunder lose again on Tuesday I see the Heat finishing of the Thunder in Game 5 in Miami in front of their home town crowd. Game 4 will be the do or die game for the Thunder so we can expect this game to be an excellent one. Must see TV yan! Go Thunder!

absinthe_888

June 18th, 2012, 11:03 AM

^^ Heat will play Game 4 like its a Game 7. If MIA wins G4, 3-1 series lead na yun, mahihirapan na talaga makabalik ang OKC dun.

Anyway, this article by Adrian Wojnarowski is exactly the reason why I want MIA to win it all.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--thunder-can-t-match-the-resolve-or-hunger-of-lebron-james-and-the-heat.html;_ylt=Av4AjpOmEZQEqxjGMy41.6u8vLYF

gmaer

June 18th, 2012, 11:30 AM

Nothing against you but using the same source (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--thunder-can-t-match-the-resolve-or-hunger-of-lebron-james-and-the-heat.html;_ylt=Av4AjpOmEZQEqxjGMy41.6u8vLYF)...

MIAMI – The championship is waiting for LeBron James now, within his grasp, a confluence borne of configuring his mind and body with the scattered state of these Oklahoma City Thunder. He thinks about those Dallas Mavericks and the NBA Finals, the way the moment made him reluctant, afraid, and something’s hardened with him. He doesn’t cower. He doesn’t scare. Finally, LeBron James is coming.

All these mistakes, all these regrettable moments, belong to someone else now. James pushes for his destiny, two victories away, and a collapse now would be the most colossal of all. He is too wise to lose to the Thunder. He’s too great. Beyond James’ genius, Oklahoma City gave Miami Game 3 on Sunday night, an avalanche of AAU offense, inexplicable turnovers and foolish fouls conspiring in a 91-85 loss.

He is too wise to lose to the Thunder. He’s too great? Pweh! :bash:

carl_vilches21

June 18th, 2012, 12:34 PM

The Heat will win this in Game 5.:lol:

jhomai14

June 18th, 2012, 02:59 PM

spearhead

June 18th, 2012, 07:41 PM

MOA ARENA
An inside look at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
courtesy of Paul Lachica
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/599802_250924945016309_1274498015_n.jpg

Looks nice! Sayang nga di na ito naabutan ng MBA. Meron pa kayang chance na ma reactivate yun?

3cr

June 18th, 2012, 11:58 PM

^^ Nice! Ganda naman ng bagong arena sa MOA! :cheers:

NU ready to host UAAP Season 75 in ritzy MOA Arena
INQUIRER.net
http://sports.inquirer.net/49213/nu-ready-to-host-uaap-season-75-in-ritzy-moa-arena

From the historical Araneta Coliseum to the state-of-the-art SM Mall of Asia Arena.

If anything else, the billion-peso worth Arena is a symbol of change.

And as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) goes into a major turn, so does National University, the SM-owned institution and host of the upcoming Season 75.

“This is the first hosting of National University with our new partners the SM group of companies and we’re all excited and our partners are also excited about it. And we want to show it to our fans, supporters, especially our alumni and make them proud of our school,” said UAAP President Nilo Ocampo.

“We want them to support the team already. We won’t be the losing Bulldogs,” Ocampo confidently said.

Since the partnership with the giant SM group, the Bulldogs have drastically transformed its image from laughing stock to a major threat.

“Now, for sure not just in basketball but in all events we’ll give everyone a hard time. Before we’re always last. Last year, we’re runner-ups in badminton, champion in baseball and in volleyball we almost made it to the final four,” added Ocampo, who also said that the arena can ‘comfortably sit 14,500.’

NU’s men’s basketball team, which is primed for a run for the plum, was the first one to test the court during its practice.

“It’s like an NBA arena, feels like home,” marveled reigning UAAP MVP Ray Parks. “The dugouts, there’s a special dugout for us but it’s not finished yet. We used the away dugout and it was definitely huge. They haven’t put too much in it but it’s more spacious, definitely more than Araneta.”

NU, no matter how the players and coaches downplay it, will have a so-called home-court advantage not necessarily due to their fan support but rather their familiarity with the arena.

“Every time we step on the court we play together so it doesn’t really matter where we’re playing,” said Parks.

As per Ocampo, “we can call this the home of the Bulldogs.”

“I think it will be a very good year for us in all events.”

3cr

June 19th, 2012, 12:03 AM

What really puzzles me is where the OKC bench has gone. Before this series started, everyone agreed that OKC has the deeper bench. Now, they are down to an 8-man rotation (not counting Cook's 3 minutes). Even Collison 13 minutes lang. That's why pagod yung starters. Even Harden is not performing that great although he did play well in Game 2 (a loss).

The bench better step up or this series is over.

Im rooting Thunders to win this, but its like the more experienced MIAMI HEAT is pushing around.

The biggest problem I'm seeing is that the Thunder is the one adjusting their line-up to match up with the Heat instead of the other way around considering the Thunder has a deeper bench. Tuloy it's the Heat that's been dictating the pace of the game, atleast for the most part. The other problem I see is they are not passing the ball around as much as before where almost everyone touches the ball. There's too much reliance on Durant and Westbrook breaking down the defense and scoring and as we all know iso-play does not win you NBA titles - team ball does. Thunder really need to go back to their bench and do what they do best which is team basketball. Aside from doing the big "D" on one end, also do the run and gun on the other end and let the aging Heat adjust and catch up with the Thunder youth because with the major minutes LeBron and D.Wade have been logging in already, they'll be really tired just keeping up with the Thunder youth in the first 3 quarters that it will probably start affecting their offensive game especially by the 4th quarter. LeBron and D.Wade are but only human after all. Napapagod din yan. Ngayon kasi they are able to pace themselves which is why they still have something left in the tank in the late 3rd and 4rth quarters of the game. Hope Thunder make the proper adjustments in Game 4. Thunder need to win this one badly to stay alive.

3cr

June 19th, 2012, 04:07 AM

Sayang talaga how Thunder lost their last two games as both of them were winnable games. It's not so much the Heat won them outright as it was the Thunder letting them slip away. Hopefully they can do the necessary adjustments in their game plan to help secure that all important game 4 and get the series tied 2-2.

Thunder may regret missed opportunity
FoxSports
http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/06/17/12/Thunder-will-regret-missed-opportunities/landing_thunder.html?blockID=747884&feedID=10646

It was a bizarro Sunday as the Miami Heat didn't really win Game 3 of the NBA Finals as much as the Thunder lost it.

Sometimes it goes that way. Sometimes it's not how you win, but more how the other loses.

Kevin Durant never tripped over his shoelaces, but everything else seemed to go wrong in Sunday’s 91-85 loss at Miami. The Heat were bad and the Thunder were worse.

The game and the 2-1 series lead were there for the taking. And while Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he had no complaints about the way his team played, the fans in Oklahoma City sure could have some.

Miami won shooting 38 percent from the field. The Heat missed 19 of 24 shots outside the paint. You have to work really hard to lose to a team that misses that much. And the Thunder did.

Oklahoma City's Big Three of Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden didn't do their part and there wasn't much support. If any of the three goes off, or if the bench players do something — maybe out-rebound the smaller Heat? — the Thunder would have had enough to get past Miami.

LeBron James looked great early and finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds, but no one's sending the game ball to Springfield. Dwyane Wade also cooled off after a hot start and finished 8 for 22 from the field.

Limited by foul trouble again, Durant had 25 points, but he didn't get to the line enough (1 of 4) and wasn't reliable enough (five turnovers). A fourth-quarter star in the first two games, he shot 2 of 6 in the fourth quarter Sunday, missed a pair of free throws and had two turnovers.

Westbrook was 8 of 18 from the field, making him 28 of 68 in the three games. He finished with 19 points, but was a problem midway through the third quarter when he missed shots on two possessions in a row, then turned it over on the next possession. He was replaced by Derek Fisher. Brooks said he took Westbrook out of the game to settle him down.

Meanwhile, Harden came in early as the Thunder got behind in the first quarter, but he was largely ineffective. The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year finished 2 of 10 from the field in 34 minutes. But he did his real damage when he lost his way late in the fourth quarter with a pair of turnovers, both coming with the Thunder down four with less than five minutes to play. Then he lost his mind.

The Thunder didn't need to foul in the closing moments, and with a stop would have provided an opportunity to tie the game. Instead, Harden fouled James 35 feet from the basket with 16 seconds left. James made the second of two free throws, and the Heat iced the game from the line.

The Thunder, the best free-throw shooting team in the league this season, missed 9 of 24 tries Sunday. It's the third game in a row the Thunder have missed seven or more free throws.

Congrats to Durant for not complaining about the officiating. That's commendable. However, he may need to consider making some adjustments. Durant picked up five fouls only three times in the regular season. He now has had five fouls in each of the past two games against the Heat. Lay it on the whistle of referee Joey Crawford, but Durant stepped in late against James for a fifth foul and took himself out of a chance to win this game for the Thunder.

And certainly Crawford didn't force Serge Ibaka and Fisher to commit silly third-quarter fouls on Heat 3-point attempts. Up 65-56 with 3:13 in the third quarter, Ibaka fouled Shane Battier on a 3-pointer. Fisher did the same to James Jones less than 30 seconds later. That's six free points.

Miami coach Eric Spoelstra said his team will do whatever it takes to win and that he knew it was going to be a grind. But he didn't mention anything about watching Oklahoma City melt down.

The Thunder are down 2-1. The good news is it would be hard for Oklahoma City to duplicate its ineffectiveness. The bad news is, it would be hard for Miami to be just as bad, too.

metaLLOYD

June 19th, 2012, 09:08 AM

NU ready to host UAAP Season 75 in ritzy MOA Arena
INQUIRER.net
http://sports.inquirer.net/49213/nu-ready-to-host-uaap-season-75-in-ritzy-moa-arena

From the historical Araneta Coliseum to the state-of-the-art SM Mall of Asia Arena.

If anything else, the billion-peso worth Arena is a symbol of change.

And as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) goes into a major turn, so does National University, the SM-owned institution and host of the upcoming Season 75.

“This is the first hosting of National University with our new partners the SM group of companies and we’re all excited and our partners are also excited about it. And we want to show it to our fans, supporters, especially our alumni and make them proud of our school,” said UAAP President Nilo Ocampo.

“We want them to support the team already. We won’t be the losing Bulldogs,” Ocampo confidently said.

Since the partnership with the giant SM group, the Bulldogs have drastically transformed its image from laughing stock to a major threat.

“Now, for sure not just in basketball but in all events we’ll give everyone a hard time. Before we’re always last. Last year, we’re runner-ups in badminton, champion in baseball and in volleyball we almost made it to the final four,” added Ocampo, who also said that the arena can ‘comfortably sit 14,500.’

NU’s men’s basketball team, which is primed for a run for the plum, was the first one to test the court during its practice.

“It’s like an NBA arena, feels like home,” marveled reigning UAAP MVP Ray Parks. “The dugouts, there’s a special dugout for us but it’s not finished yet. We used the away dugout and it was definitely huge. They haven’t put too much in it but it’s more spacious, definitely more than Araneta.”

NU, no matter how the players and coaches downplay it, will have a so-called home-court advantage not necessarily due to their fan support but rather their familiarity with the arena.

“Every time we step on the court we play together so it doesn’t really matter where we’re playing,” said Parks.

As per Ocampo, “we can call this the home of the Bulldogs.”

“I think it will be a very good year for us in all events.”
so eto na talaga ang NU's HOME-COURT. :lol::lol:

3cr

June 20th, 2012, 12:36 AM

Tonight's the nite we'll get to see if the Thunder rise to the occasion or sink under the pressure. It's do or die time for the Thunder. Go Thunder! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Thunder hope to bounce back in Game 4
Fox Sports

The Thunder trail the Miami Heat 2-1 after a 91-85 loss on Sunday in which they blew a 10-point lead in the third quarter. Kevin Durant went to the bench in foul trouble and Scott Brooks compounded the problem by yanking Russell Westbrook shortly after, both All-Stars watching when the game got away from the Thunder.

All that doesn't wreck the Thunder's hopes of winning the series.

Oklahoma City was in worse trouble in the last round, dropping the first two games against the San Antonio Spurs. So they know they can climb out of the hole they're in this time.

"This is another great opportunity to show what becoming a champion is all about. You know, it's not something that ever has come easy," said guard Derek Fisher, who has won five of them.

"Every team that has won a championship has earned the right to be champions. And so we're faced with another opportunity again tomorrow night to come together as a team and be confident in who we are and figure out a way to come out here and win a game. You know, things turn a great deal in these series with one game, and we have the opportunity to turn it tomorrow."

Game 3 turned quickly, mostly because of the Thunder's own mistakes.

Durant picked up his fourth foul with 5:41 left and the Thunder leading by six. Westbrook was taken out 40 seconds later for Fisher, who converted a four-point play before it all fell apart for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder twice fouled shooters behind the arc, made only 6 of 11 free throws in the quarter, and when the game was getting away from his team, Brooks kept Westbrook parked on the bench for the remainder of the period.

Westbrook appeared angry when taken out, slamming his hand against a chair. He said he was upset with himself, and Brooks said there was no issue between them Monday.

"That's over with. We're moving on to Game 4," Brooks said.

"When Kevin got the fourth foul, that kind of changes the dynamic of that game because Kevin, I think he had 23 points at that time, things were going very well. So there was a lot of times that we had other things that we had to figure out. But I thought that stretch where we fouled the two 3-point shooters really was a big part of their comeback, and then we missed five free throws in that stretch, and as you know, we're the best free throw shooting team in the league."

Hard to tell in this series, though. The Thunder, who shot 80.6 percent during the regular season, were only 15 of 24 (62.5 percent) on Sunday and 54 of 77 (70 percent) during the series. With a young core age 23 and under, the Thunder acknowledged some jitters before Game 1, but Durant said that isn't the problem now.

"We've just got to make them next game," he said. "I wouldn't say it's nerves because we miss a free throw, and then hit a big 3 after that or get a big stop and then hit a layup. I don't know, man. We've just got to do a better job next game. Hopefully we make all of our free throws."

Durant has picked up five fouls in each of the last two games, forced to spend precious time on the bench and hurting his second-half aggressiveness as he tries to defend LeBron James. He said he didn't think all five on Sunday should have been called, but the Thunder need him to be careful to avoid further trouble, particularly with Sixth Man of the Year James Harden averaging only 11.7 points on 41 percent shooting.

Game 3 was bad for the Thunder. The overall situation, they said, could be much worse.

"We've still got four games to play, and at the end of the day, we win a game tomorrow, and then it's the best of three with two games on our home court," center Kendrick Perkins said. "As we all see, the team that gets the win always gets the momentum. At the end of the day, we're just down one game, and it's not the end of the world.

"We take away a couple turnovers in the fourth quarter, a couple silly fouls that we made, and we missed nine free throws. We do that, our chances are high of winning the game."

Let's see how the Thunder do in game 4.

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 12:41 AM

Ngayong umaga ba ang Game 4 (Filipino time)? :banana:

krrra

June 20th, 2012, 01:29 AM

youth mistakes cost okc loss on game 3,
durant can't guard lebron although he's a better shooter than lebron.

absinthe_888

June 20th, 2012, 02:20 AM

Go for the 3-1! :D

1100

June 20th, 2012, 03:05 AM

2-2!

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 04:41 AM

Napansin ko lang na masyadong pabor ang ABS-CBN sa Miami Heat sa mga halftime highlights nito kaya pinatay ko na lang ang TV para subaybayan ang Game 4 sa Internet!

3cr

June 20th, 2012, 05:23 AM

O OH looks like LeBron has an injury or is it just cramps? Thunder should take advantage of this with 5 min to go.
Better go for the kill while LeBron sits on the bench. Run and Gun! Attack attack! Go Go Go Thunder!

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 05:27 AM

Game tied @ 94 with 3:15 minutes left in the 4th quarter! http://sports.yahoo.com/nba

3cr

June 20th, 2012, 05:35 AM

OKC trailing Miami 101-96 with 44 seconds left. Thunder ball.

3cr

June 20th, 2012, 05:40 AM

Game over 104-98. Miami Heat win again and take a 3-1 series lead in the NBA finals.

Askal82

June 20th, 2012, 05:43 AM

It's over! Okc just nailed themselves in the coffin tonight.

absinthe_888

June 20th, 2012, 05:44 AM

2-2!

3-1 :D Sana hindi injured si Lebron. Isa nalang :D :D :D

43 pts na si Westbrook yet olats in the end At si Harden, mukang sha naman ang nagchoke sa Big Stage.

Let's go for the win in Game 5 MIA!!! Give that ring to The King! :lol:

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 05:47 AM

Waaahhhhh! Talo nanaman ang Thunder!! 3-1 lead na ang Miami Heat!!! :ohno:

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 05:54 AM

3-1 :D Sana hindi injured si Lebron. Isa nalang :D :D :D

43 pts na si Westbrook yet olats in the end At si Harden, mukang sha naman ang nagchoke sa Big Stage.

Let's go for the win in Game 5 MIA!!! Give that ring to The King! :lol:

Has Juwan Howard ever won an NBA championship? Will the Heat coach allow him to play if they can already see that they are going to win their 2nd crown?

IslandSon.PH

June 20th, 2012, 06:30 AM

i don't see spoelstra giving him minutes in the finals, especially with the healthy lineup

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 07:35 AM

i don't see spoelstra giving him minutes in the finals, especially with the healthy lineup

They should at least give him a minute because when the Miami Heat won their 1st championship in 2006, they allowed all veteran/old players to play like Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, Micheal Doleac, James Posey, Derek and Shandon Anderson to play in the series!

I can remember tears fell from Gary Payton's eyes in the closing seconds of Game 6 when the Miami Heat won their 1st NBA Championship ring. I want to see the same with Juwan Howard on the Miami Heat's last winning game because Juwan Howard has been in the NBA since 1994 when he was drafted 5th overall by then the Washington Bullets.

1100

June 20th, 2012, 08:10 AM

Kung blowout ang mangyayari sa Friday, expect Howard to play.

gmaer

June 20th, 2012, 08:16 AM

Kung blowout ang mangyayari sa Friday, expect Howard to play.

Ang suwerte siguro ni Juwan Howard! Sya na ata longest (still currently) playing NBA veteran na wala pang championship ring? Naunahan pa sya ni Jason Kidd na kasabay lang nya nung 1994 NBA Draft.

3cr

June 20th, 2012, 08:20 AM

It's really game over now as I don't see the Thunder winning 3 games in a row. With the way LeBron and the Heat have played against the Western Conference Champion OKC Thunder, I think LeBron really showed his critics he deserve his MVP award, a Finals MVP award, and his 1st NBA Title/Ring. Congrats to Lebron and the Heat. :okay: :okay: :cheers:

JuMor3394

June 20th, 2012, 10:29 AM

It looks like Lebron James will win his first NBA ring.

Si JAMES Harden naman ang nag-choke ngayon.

krrra

June 20th, 2012, 10:49 AM

heat has the momentum and the homecourt, and a bitter loss to revenge last year

carl_vilches21

June 20th, 2012, 01:36 PM

give the king his ring :D

metaLLOYD

June 20th, 2012, 02:28 PM

OK....C 'ya NEXT YEAR. :D

doctor joe

June 20th, 2012, 03:07 PM

hangat di pa tapos ang serye di natin alam kong sino mananalo, OKC down by 0-2 to SAS but regain the momentum and win the series with a 4 game winning streak

anak_mm

June 20th, 2012, 03:59 PM

OK....C 'ya NEXT YEAR. :D

:lol:

BergenScooterPatrol

June 20th, 2012, 09:05 PM

i'm still hoping to see the biggest collapse in NBA Finals history!!! Let's go Perks and Fish! Show your championship experience!

3cr

June 20th, 2012, 11:16 PM

^^ A part of me is still hoping for that to happen actually like in last year's Heat vs Mav series!
It will definitely be one epic collapse for the Heat if the Thunder is able to pull off 3 in a row! Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

absinthe_888

June 21st, 2012, 01:40 AM

If MIA loses this series Lebron should quit :D

jhomai14

June 21st, 2012, 04:14 AM

excuse me lang po, break muna, ahahaha

Ncaa And Uaap Go Head-To-HeadCollege Leagues In Ratings Battle
By Kristel Satumbaga
June 21, 2012, 1:25am

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) does not believe the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is the better college in sporting competition even though many factors seem to confirm this such as attendance records and television ratings.

To prove its point, the NCAA yesterday announced that beginning this season, many of its scheduled games will go head-to-head with the UAAP on television after the NCAA launched its new partnership with AKTV Channel 5.

Whereas the NCAA used to have its games held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to avoid conflict with the UAAP, it will now air its games Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, thus making Thursdays and Saturdays a battle for audience as well as commercials between the two leagues.

"We can't avoid to compare things (with the UAAP), but I'm sure with this kind of setup, it will give us an opportunity to show NCAA's worth as the oldest collegiate league in the country," said Policy Board President Fr. Tamerlane Lana of host Letran during a press briefing yesterday.

The NCAA said it broke away from ABS-CBN its coveror of the past 10 years, which aired the games on Studio 23, because it was given by AKTV an offer it could not refuse.

AKTV, which is owned by businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, said it will give the NCAA the coverage it deserves by promising to air its games on prime time, which is from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

"There will be new expectations, new hopes and challenges. We'd like to cope with those challenges," said Fr. Lana.

The opening doubleheader on Saturday will pit host Letran College against San Sebastian College at 5 p.m., while Mapua Institute of Technology clashes with Jose Rizal University at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, reigning champion San Beda got a reprieve from the league’s Policy Board after the one-year ban of Nigerian rookie center Ola Adeogun was reduced to just four games instead of six.

The Red Lions, however, will play with only six players in their first game against Arellano on Sunday following the one-game ban on Baser Amer, Anjo Caram, Ryussei Koga, Carmelo Lim, JP Mendoza, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual and Michole Sorela for their participation in a melee that involved their former coach Frankie Lim and San Sebastian’s volleyball mentor in Roger Gorayeb.

1100

June 21st, 2012, 05:08 AM

Bakit kasi prime time ang NCAA? Nakakatamad na yan panuorin :nuts:

absinthe_888

June 21st, 2012, 09:19 AM

^^ Pera-pera lang yan

metaLLOYD

June 21st, 2012, 09:35 AM

^^ alam na. :lol:
The NCAA said it broke away from ABS-CBN its coveror of the past 10 years, which aired the games on Studio 23, because it was given by AKTV an offer it could not refuse.

doctor joe

June 21st, 2012, 01:15 PM

Bakit kasi prime time ang NCAA? Nakakatamad na yan panuorin :nuts:

^^para mas madaming manonood sa game at sa tv:banana::banana::banana::banana:

jhomai14

June 21st, 2012, 01:18 PM

^^ Pera-pera lang yan

"college" sports on prime time. Will there be a market? MVP will take a bold gamble. So NCAA might improve in regards to media hype.

jhomai14

June 21st, 2012, 02:55 PM

Chesapeake is waiting!

So i hope, Thunders can pull this off and steal GAME 5. Maaga pa para pag-usapan natin ang NBA Draft. Lets extend this to game 7. While waiting for UAAP to commence, hope we can see more ACTION sa series na ito.

So mga parekoi, anu ba ang dapat gawin ng Thunders ngayon? Many pundits says, Russel Westbrook is doing the choking job for some potential games of Thunders.

1100

June 21st, 2012, 04:16 PM

It is not Westbrook, it's James Soften. Este, Harden pala :nuts:

His performances were off this last 2 games. Durant, too.

doctor joe

June 21st, 2012, 04:18 PM

i believe in Thunder... just one strike tomorrow and then 2 more...boom....heat is dead....

they have nothing to do in offense and defense, but the only thing they can do is to make physical game with james,wade and bosh, and take 2-3 bench players to hurt those 3 angheat!!!

3cr

June 21st, 2012, 10:46 PM

For sure Lebron will certainly bring his A game as the Heat will try their very best to finish off the Thunder at home tonite so that Lebron can secure his 1st NBA title/ring including a finals MVP award to go with his regular season MVP title. What better way to shut his crtics up than this very rare triple feat/achievemnt. For sure it will be an up hill battle but I'm hoping the Thunder find a way to win tonite and bring the series back to OKC.

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 01:39 AM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208950_10150953162113643_387508252_n.jpg

^^ :D

Ika nga sa Dark Tournament: Tapusin Tapusin Tapusin Tapusin :D

Image source (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208950_10150953162113643_387508252_n.jpg)

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 05:08 AM

OKC is getting massacred by MIA right now...

3cr

June 22nd, 2012, 05:18 AM

Dang Tambak na ang Thunder. Better luck next time OKC Thunder. Looks like the Heat will win game 5 easily and become the NBA Champions once more. Congrats to the Heat and especially to LeBron who finally gets a ring and who I expect will win the Finals MVP award as well to go with his regular season MVP award. That's such a great as well as rare feat/accomplishment that should finally shut critics up as to how great a basketball player he really is. :master: :okay: :okay: :cheers:

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 05:23 AM

^^ Gusto ko yung nangyari sa journey ni Lebron this year.

Mabuti na talo sha last year gawa sa The Decision nya. Tapos pinahirapan sila ng Celtics ngayon. Looks like he has really exorcised the demons of his past. Everybody was expecting LeChoke but now lumabas na talaga si LeBron.

Damn The King is 9 minutes from finally claiming The Ring.

3cr

June 22nd, 2012, 05:35 AM

^^ Yup I agree ganda nga ng istorya niya. Can't do any better as far as LeBron and the Heat's journey from last year's epic failure to this year's NBA Champions. This has been long time coming for LeBron and I'm happy he finally has this monkey off his back now. Congrats again to LeBron and the Heat! :cheers:

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 05:42 AM

Last year anti-MIA ako pero the moment na natalo sila nung Game 6 I knew Lebron was on a mission of redemption. Triple double na sha as of this moment. Pero Miller has to be the man today.

Sabog uhog ni Lebron mya (pati ng haters :lol:)

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 05:49 AM

Miami Heat are the 2011-2012 NBA World Champions!

The King has his Ring

hugodiekonig

June 22nd, 2012, 05:52 AM

:banana: Miami 121 - 106 OKC

2nd Championship title for Miami Heat

IslandSon.PH

June 22nd, 2012, 05:53 AM

Props to mike miller for a phenomenal game despite having a bad back. and finally, a ring for my man Lebron! who's choking now haters?

Shenzi

June 22nd, 2012, 05:53 AM

Spurs should have represent the west not soft ass oklahoma city thunders....man that team sux

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 05:57 AM

From Yahoo Sports:

After nine NBA seasons, three Finals appearances and "The Decision," LeBron James is a champion.

Askal82

June 22nd, 2012, 06:02 AM

Hahaha. I love Eric Spoelstra! Pacquiao got mentioned! :lol:

1100

June 22nd, 2012, 06:16 AM

Juwan Howard should have scored! :lol:

JuMor3394

June 22nd, 2012, 06:27 AM

What a shooting performance by the Heat.

Congrats Miami! :applause:

3cr

June 22nd, 2012, 08:34 AM

The King Is Crowned: Breaking Down LeBron James’ First Ring
By Rob Mahoney
6/22/2012
http://wayoffbase.net/warmup/?p=38493

LeBron James is an NBA champion—that much is now an indisputable fact. There need be no baseless criticism or pessimistic projection.

The greatest player in the league now has an NBA title to his name, and a glittering ring on his finger. James plowed through metric tons of criticism (and the Oklahoma City Thunder), and ultimately put together one of the most astounding playoff runs in recent memory.

It’s been a tremendous ride, and we can say without even the slightest doubt that James earned this one. He overcame Dwyane Wade‘s physical limitations, Chris Bosh‘s injury and the Heat’s shortened rotation. And though he practically played every minute of every playoff game in the process, he propelled the Miami Heat and the Big Three to the championship they always seemed destined to win.

It’s the burden of the league’s finest that they’re expected to win the grandest prizes available, and with so many other accolades to his name, James was missing this single honor.

And thus, he completes his trophy case, but hardly anything more than that. Perhaps the greatest wrinkle of all is that the Heat and Thunder will both be back in just a few months in familiar form, ready to start all over again.

It’s a beautiful basketball world out there, and no matter what you think of LeBron James these days, the NBA is a better league with him as a deserving champion.

^^ LeBron's next stop - Team USA! After securing the ring, he's going after Olympic gold this time. :cheers:

Coach K: LeBron James will play for Team USA
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8081225/coach-mike-krzyzewski-expects-lebron-james-play-olympics

DURHAM, N.C. -- Mike Krzyzewski expects LeBron James to play for the U.S. Olympic team.

Speaking less than two weeks before the candidates for the Olympic team begin practice in Las Vegas, Krzyzewski said he's deep into his preparations. While it's not certain yet who will be going to London, he said matter-of-factly that "I know LeBron will play."

"I'm proud of LeBron and where he's at right now, and I do think that when you're that great a player, that great a talent, that you learn openly," Krzyzewski said. "You don't go learn in private. You're out there while you're learning, and while you're learning, you're going to be criticized for the things that you're in the process of learning. ... There's some things you cannot learn unless you're in that moment. Like, you can't rehearse it.

"You can't feel it until you're in the moment of a finals, a gold medal game, a seventh game, a national championship. He's been in two of those moments, and I think he's shown in this series that he's learned from those moments."

James was part of the Krzyzewski-led team that won Olympic gold at the Beijing Games four years ago.

Injuries have thinned the pool of players from which Krzyzewski and USA Basketball will select the U.S. roster.

With Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Chauncey Billups and LaMarcus Aldridge among those hurt, the Americans had to obtain permission from the U.S. Olympic Committee to add James Harden and Kentucky All-American Anthony Davis to the pool long after the original deadline so they would have 18 players.

The combination of the condensed NBA season, late playoffs and an earlier Olympics has eliminated the buffer between the events and means "you're going to have a mentally different team and a physically different team," Krzyzewski said.

"We don't even know who the guys on the team are yet because we have to wait until we get them in Vegas to see where they are physically, family and contractually. Those three things, that I've learned over the last seven years, can cause a change just like that," he said, snapping his fingers. "And then you have to be prepared for it."

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 09:02 AM

[nightfury]

June 22nd, 2012, 12:08 PM

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s480x480/527658_10150956687818138_134414354_n.jpg

http://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/a084.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/a084.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/a084.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/a084.gif

nasaan na yung mga Lebron at Heat haters dyan? http://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/boxer.gif

http://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/hooray.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/hooray.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/hooray.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/hooray.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/hooray.gifhttp://www.symbianize.com/images/smilies/new/hooray.gif

eonynx

June 22nd, 2012, 01:39 PM

random thoughts on the just concluded nba finals:

the king finally has the crown. the anointment is not out of birthright as he mistakenly thought in the past by virtue of his off-the-charts talent and athleticism. the crown wasn't given. it was earned-- as rightly it should be. as a side note, the heat coach with filipino lineage, e spoelstra, gets to keep his job next season as heat chief bench tactician.

experience indeed is the best teacher. greatness though, has a way of learning the lessons well. lebron became the emphatic closer that he is today because he was the much maligned choker that he was in the past. a recent past, if i may add. he deserved that treatment because he reveled more in the hype that surrounded him than proving his true worth on the court of the game's biggest stage.

what a redemption! an achievement that speaks volumes of one's greatness as an individual and team player. if lebron deserved the flak in the past, he also deserved to bask in this glory. just as he was the single biggest factor in the heat's failed championship campaign last year, he is also the single biggest factor in this year's success.

it's in the stats. the regular season and finals MVP averaged more than 28 ppg, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in the finals series. in the title clinching game 5, james scored 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists.

i thinks these two teams--miami and okc--will become fixtures in several NBA finals for a number of years to come. that's good for the nba in particular and basketball as a whole because of one word-- rivalry. on the team concept, you have two teams who have all the ingredients of both flash and substance. individually, you have the lebron james vs kevin durant match up.

it's like a throwback to the 80s. durant, with his fearless arsenal from downtown is like the much more athletic reincarnation of larry bird. james, with his amazing passing ability and overall athletic and court sense brilliance, is a much more athletic evolution of magic johnson. as a watershed sidelight, we see kobe bryant--the most jordanesque of all the active and present crop of nba players--inevitably if not slowly fading in his preeminence of the game. But knowing the headstrong and still very capable kobe bryant, he may yet get another chance or two to appear in an nba finals.

But going back to the admirable protagonists, we could just sigh, “ah, rivalries!” the stories they make and the ratings they achieve. good for the NBA. good for basketball. for the younger but very worthy opponent in the okc thunder and durant: it's a painful process they have to undertake. young as they are, i'm almost certain they will surely get another crack at it, and then some. this experience will surely make them wiser the next time they get in the finals. for the miami heat: congratulations to this year's nba world champions!

NBA Finals 2012 Game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Miami Heat Highlights 21 June 2012
A2jrVqYnfrA

1100

June 22nd, 2012, 03:35 PM

V8FvCpzWIzA

:lol:

[nightfury]

June 22nd, 2012, 04:01 PM

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/285598_3918301108283_1239280710_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/209003_358601434212528_1383216112_n.jpg

:lol:

doctor joe

June 22nd, 2012, 04:09 PM

^^^^^^^^
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Planning Democracy

June 22nd, 2012, 04:37 PM

Gagayahin ni Lebron si Jordan nung 1992 = 20 years ago

MVP, FMVP, Championship, and Olympic Gold medal

---

Parang asa bukkake party tong si Bosh :D

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1199637/heatmenageatrois_medium.gif

Source (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1199637/heatmenageatrois_medium.gif)

Bwahaha! What the hell was Bosh thinking??

Well, the NBA ratings will now officially go down now that Lebron has won his championship. Nothing has changed, people still hate him.

OKC will mature, barring any injuries, the Celtics will probably go on another losing spell once they break up the big three, and I don't know what the hell is gonna happen to the Lakers. I hope another big three will be formed this time with Steve Nash.

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 04:38 PM

@eonynx: well said :)

Mabuti nalang na natalo siya last year at yung relentless criticism that followed. Ibang-iba talaga yung mindset nya ngayon. Sana huwag na bumalik yung LeBrat.

Shenzi

June 22nd, 2012, 04:45 PM

OKC thunder are a disgrace to the western conference...if this was dallas they would have won!!!

KD and westbrook don't have the heart

1100

June 22nd, 2012, 04:53 PM

Wag ka magalit ng sobra-sobra. LeBron is on a mission this year. If they failed, disaster would strike the Heat franchise.

At niloloko mo sarili mo kung Dallas nakapasok dito. This would have been a sweep.

absinthe_888

June 22nd, 2012, 05:03 PM

^^ Yep.Kung hindi pa din nag champion si Lebron this year mas madami na naman haters :D

Chaka bata pa si KD. He will get his ring in due time.

3cr

June 22nd, 2012, 10:48 PM

Spurs should have represent the west not soft ass oklahoma city thunders....man that team sux

OKC thunder are a disgrace to the western conference...if this was dallas they would have won!!!

KD and westbrook don't have the heart

^^ Hehehe... Well then maybe it should be shame on the Spurs and Mavs, and even the Lakers for not beating this OKC Thunder team. Disgrace or not, the Thunder beat the Spurs, the Lakers and the Mavs this year fair and square so they won their right to battle the Heat in the NBA Finals. Too bad they lost to a Heat team on a mission to win it this year. Who's to say that if it was the Spurs or the Mavs or the Lakers that played the Heat this year that they would not have suffered the same fate as the Thunder? Losing in the Finals will be part of this young Thunder's learning process and right of passage. It will only make them stronger much like what happened to the Heat when they lost last year. Thunder will be back next season stronger, more focused and with a vengeance. :cheers:

San-Mat

June 23rd, 2012, 08:03 AM

Parang best test ng Heat is with the Celtics.
OKC ended up out matched against the Heat.

OKC might have been just happy to be finally in the NBA Finals.
They will learn from the Heat.
Pain of losing an NBA Finals will only make them better.

absinthe_888

June 23rd, 2012, 08:19 AM

Yep, Boston made Miami tougher para sa Finals. Kaya happy ako na sila nakalaban ng MIA sa ECF.

---

From PEx:

2003 Draft List

1. LeBron James (1 Ring, Miami Heat)
2. Darco Millicic (1 Ring, Detroit Pistons)
3. Carmelo Anthony = RINGLESS
4. Chris Bosh (1 Ring, Miami Heat)
5. Dwayne Wade (2 Rings, Miami Heat)

27. Kendrick Perkins (1 Ring, Boston Celtics)
31. Jason Kapono (1 Ring, Miami Heat '06)
32. Luke Walton (2 Rings, L.A. Lakers)
45. Matt Bonner (1 Ring, S.A. Spurs)
49. James Jones (1 Ring, Miami Heat)

eonynx

June 23rd, 2012, 09:42 AM

The NBA Finals Poetry in Motion Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5 6.21.2012
ZWtHI7J99uQ

JuMor3394

June 23rd, 2012, 12:00 PM

;92616743']http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/285598_3918301108283_1239280710_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/209003_358601434212528_1383216112_n.jpg

:lol:
^^
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

JuMor3394

June 23rd, 2012, 12:41 PM

Pippen, Rodman head NBA greats set to play at MOA Arena (http://sports.inquirer.net/49579/pippen-rodman-head-nba-greats-set-to-play-at-moa-arena)
By Mark Giongco
INQUIRER.net
3:36 pm | Thursday, June 21st, 2012
MANILA, Philippines—Three hall-of-fame players along with other former NBA stars are set to take center stage at the state-of-the-art SM Mall of Asia Arena on July 18.

Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, fellow hall-of-fame inductees Dennis Rodman and Oscar Robertson will headline the event dubbed as the All-Star Basketball Challenge.

The six-foot-seven Pippen, well-known for his all-time defense, won all of his titles with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan.

Rodman, the rebounding machine, meanwhile, has five rings across his name. He won his first two crowns as a member of the Detroit Pistons before winning three more as part of the Bulls second dynasty in 1996-98.

Robertson, who will be the team’s coach, is and perhaps will be the only player in the league to average a triple-double. He also won a championship in 1971 when he and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar teamed up to power the Milwaukee Bucks over the Baltimore Bullets.

Other notable players are four-time champion Horace Grant, dead-shot swingman Mitch Richmond, flashy playmaker Jason Williams, Clifford Robinson and Bryon Russell.

Richmond took part in the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge where former NBA greats played against a select group of past and present PBA All-stars held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Completing the stellar cast are Charoy Bentley, Jeff Trepagnier, Chris Campbell and Alexis Foyle.

Robinson, a former Sixth Man of the Year, was a vital part of the Portland Trailblazers that lost to the Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals but will also be known to be at the tailend of a Jordan moment.

So is Russell, who helped the Utah Jazz to two straight finals appearances, will also be remembered for that iconic Jordan title-clinching fadeaway in the 1998 Finals.

Last July, NBA superstars headed by Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Chris Paul also took their talents to the Araneta Coliseum and went against the PBA stars and National team members in a once in a lifetime spectacle.

Shenzi

June 23rd, 2012, 06:15 PM

Hey guys should jeremy lin represent china or usa?

anak_mm

June 23rd, 2012, 06:27 PM

Not a big lebron fan but

Miami in 6,

Erik Spoelstra first pinoy Head coach to win an NBA championship?, yay! lol

i think he got a ring in 2006 as asst coach
^^

my prediction was 1 game off...

because i forgot the finals format was 2-3-2 not 2-2-1-1-1 :bash:

thescene

June 24th, 2012, 04:09 AM

Hey guys should jeremy lin represent china or usa?

I believe Lin's parents are from Taiwan though his ancestors are from the mainland.

3cr

June 24th, 2012, 07:13 AM

^^ J.Lin should represent the Knicks foremost and Team USA second. He is getting paid good money to play in the NBA so why should he risk his career playing for China when he is in fact an American citizen. I doubt it though he'll make the cut for Team USA with the talent level in the NBA which makes most if not all of Team USA members.

Btw here's J.Lin's summer plans...

NBA: Lin to visit Asia this summer
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/263133/sports/basketball/nba-lin-to-visit-asia-this-summer?ref=topstories

American basketball star Jeremy Lin is to visit Taiwan in August, his agent said Monday, his first trip to the island since a hot streak earned him a global following known as "Linsanity."

The New York Knicks point guard, whose parents are from Taiwan and whose grandmother is from China, will host a summer basketball camp in northern New Taipei City from August 27-30 attended by a group of talented teenagers.

"Lin will come with several coaches so that young basketball players in Taiwan will have the chance of taking an NBA-level training course," a statement issued by his agent said.

Lin's date of arrival and other details of his Asian tour have yet to be finalized. He has participated in similar camps in previous years.

Lin is the first US-born National Basketball Association (NBA) player of Taiwanese descent. His unlikely rise from the bench to help the Knicks to a series of triumphs in February this year captured attention worldwide.

Shenzi

June 24th, 2012, 07:20 AM

doctor joe

June 24th, 2012, 01:54 PM

Hey guys should jeremy lin represent china or usa?

^^

lin is not chinese or taiwanese....he's american and playing for america this summer camp

TheRick

June 24th, 2012, 03:17 PM

oo nga naman. he is an american.
so many good point guards - if lin wants to play inthe olympics it wont be for usa.
just like javel mcgee playing for the philippines...

3cr

June 25th, 2012, 12:46 AM

Arbitrator Sides With NBPA: How Much Will Knicks Benefit from the decision?
Yardbarker
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/arbitrator_sides_with_nbpa_how_much_will_knicks_benefit/11075354

The arbitrator in the case regarding NBA players' "Bird Rights" surprisingly ruled in favor of the Players Union yesterday, allowing previously waived (and subsequently claimed) players to retain their "Bird Rights" heading into free agency.

The ruling marked a big victory for the Knicks, who will look to retain both Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak this summer. As a result of the ruling, the team will also be able to reserve its Midlevel Exception (worth an approximate $5 million) to lure in an outside talent as well.

However, because New York's payroll is steadily approaching the $74 million hard cap, as it stands they can only spend about $3 million from the MLE. That is, of course, unless Glen Grunwald finds a crafty way to dump certain players (and their salaries) elsewhere.

As Knicks Journal's pal Alan Hahn notes in his exclusive "Knicks Fix" at MSG.com, the Knicks turned heads when they were able to waive Chauncey Billups and trade Ronny Turiaf in order to subsequently bring in Tyson Chandler.

Luckily for New York, the mountain to climb in order to clear salary this season is nowhere near as high as it was last offseason. As much as some Knicks fans may want to see Toney Douglas get a shot at redemption next season under coach Mike Woodson, he would seem to represent a perfect candidate to be shipped elsewhere to free up salary. Douglas stands to make $2 million next season. Trading him the way they traded Turiaf would potentially allow the Knicks to look into using the full MLE.

Should they look to keep its core intact and simply add on to what they already have, however, there are still quite a few veterans who would listen to a New York offer of $3 million. While the Knicks and their fans may have to count Steve Nash and Ray Allen (who still qualify as skillful starters and stand to receive more lucrative offers) out of the running, players like Jason Kidd, Lamar Odom, and Raymond Felton still could be intrigued.

It's my strong belief that both Kidd and Odom would have entertained a Knicks offer of the Bi-Annual Exception (worth $1.9 million), if the NBPA had lost the hearing anyway. Kidd understands he's no longer a starter in the league, and if interested in playing in New York next season, be it with the Nets or the Knicks. Odom is a Queens native who is hungry for an opportunity at redemption after struggling to make an impact in Dallas this past season. Both have signed more lucrative contracts over the course of their careers, and may value the right situation more than the money.

Felton perhaps represents a more intriguing option. This is because while New York may actually have substantial enough money to throw his way, it's unknown what kind of role they could/would offer. In a perfect world, the team will re-sign Lin and then lure in a veteran point guard to spell him and act as sixth man. While the veteran Kidd may enjoy this, Felton may want to continue starting.

Felton should by no means be prioritized by the Knicks over or instead of Lin. He'd be a great option off the bench, especially considering how much the team could have used more of an impact from Baron Davis this past season.

It's possible Felton, who is open to returning to New York, could be sold on this scenario. Though he started at point guard all season long for the Blazers, he backed up Ty Lawson is Denver for 21 games after being traded in the Carmelo Anthony deal during the 2010-11 season. Felton played well off the pine, averaging 11.5 points. 6.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 31.8 minutes per game. Ironically enough, his numbers as a backup with Denver were basically identical to his numbers in Portland last season. The only difference--his shooting percentages were actually much higher in Denver.

If the Knicks can sell him on the role, asserting he'd receive enough minutes, Felton could end up making a huge impact while experiencing similar success to his first Big Apple stint. It was overly apparent how much Amar'e Stoudemire would have benefited from playing with someone like Felton again this season. Though he did start to heat up as chemistry developed with Lin, having both guards in his corner would really make things easier for STAT.

No matter which veteran(s) the Knicks end up targeting and potentially luring in, Hahn and I agree that following the Miami Heat's model for success and surrounding your stars with strong role players (who are open to signing discounted deals for a chance to win big) is the way to go.

gmaer

June 25th, 2012, 03:45 AM

Ano na standing ng 2012 NBA Finals?

1100

June 25th, 2012, 05:40 AM

Tapos na, 4-1

LeBron wins Finals MVP. Huli ka ata sa balita? :nuts:

gmaer

June 25th, 2012, 07:47 AM

Tapos na, 4-1

LeBron wins Finals MVP. Huli ka ata sa balita? :nuts:

I went out of town without any technology with me but the vehicle I'm riding. Too bad I lose in my betting game! I have to withdraw and pay 50k because it only took 5 games for the Heat to beat my Thunder.

absinthe_888

June 25th, 2012, 10:29 AM

^^ Wow, 50k :D

gmaer

June 25th, 2012, 11:21 AM

^^ Wow, 50k :D

10k per game! Puro mga network specialists kasi mga katrabaho ko kaya mga high paying jobs kami. :)

1100

June 25th, 2012, 04:25 PM

Big time! :D

BergenScooterPatrol

June 25th, 2012, 07:13 PM

I went out of town without any technology with me but the vehicle I'm riding. Too bad I lose in my betting game! I have to withdraw and pay 50k because it only took 5 games for the Heat to beat my Thunder.

hmmmm..so nagbayad ka ng 10K per game kaya 50K kasi umabot ng 5 games? So kahit nung nanalo ang OKC eh nagbayad ka pa rin? or hindi per game ang pustahan nyo...

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 01:38 AM

hmmmm..so nagbayad ka ng 10K per game kaya 50K kasi umabot ng 5 games? So kahit nung nanalo ang OKC eh nagbayad ka pa rin? or hindi per game ang pustahan nyo...

Yup pero kung ang Thunder ang nanalo... ako ang babayaran!

1100

June 26th, 2012, 01:58 AM

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 05:07 AM

Who here played the PC versions of the NBA 2k11 and NBA 2k12?

Because I have a question about compatibility: Can you use the Roster.ROS saves file of NBA 2k12 in NBA 2k11?

1100

June 26th, 2012, 05:30 AM

Nope. Although pareho ng file, hindi nare-read ng 2k12 ang kahit anong save file ng 2k11 and VV.

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 06:30 AM

Nope. Although pareho ng file, hindi nare-read ng 2k12 ang kahit anong save file ng 2k11 and VV.

Ok thanks! Wala na kasing downloadable na latest updated rosters ang NBA 2k11 eh san nga ba uli sa David West ngayon?

3cr

June 26th, 2012, 07:32 AM

Ok thanks! Wala na kasing downloadable na latest updated rosters ang NBA 2k11 eh san nga ba uli sa David West ngayon?

^^ Si David West ay nasa Indiana Pacers ngayon. He was with the Hornets before then signed as a free agent by the Pacers this season. Hope this helps.

[nightfury]

June 26th, 2012, 11:40 AM

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303561_467507346593288_622812397_n.jpg

:lol:

[nightfury]

June 26th, 2012, 11:48 AM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/396790_10151883541080305_1546248696_n.jpg

NBA 2K13 cover

Roses- D.Rose
spider- Kevin "Durantula" Durant
eagle- ???

^^ sino yung eagle?

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 11:53 AM

^^ Si David West ay nasa Indiana Pacers ngayon. He was with the Bobcats before then signed as a free agent by the Pacers this season. Hope this helps.

That explains the Pacers big improvement! I was once a Pacers fan during Reggie Miller's era, I miss this guy's hot 3 point shooting streak especially when I played him in NBA Live... I have won several games against my friends on the Sony Playstation because of him.

anak_mm

June 26th, 2012, 11:58 AM

;92726954']https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/396790_10151883541080305_1546248696_n.jpg

NBA 2K13 cover

Roses- D.Rose
spider- Kevin "Durantula" Durant
eagle- ???

^^ sino yung eagle?

^^chris anderson "bird man" :lol:

"griffin" yung may pakpak half-eagle, half-lion

http://www.pantheon.org/areas/gallery/folklore/folklore/griffin.gif

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 12:02 PM

;92726954']https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/396790_10151883541080305_1546248696_n.jpg

NBA 2K13 cover

Roses- D.Rose
spider- Kevin "Durantula" Durant
eagle- ???

^^ sino yung eagle?

May be in reference to the Marquette Golden Eagles' infamous rookie candidate in the 2012 NBA Draft?

enerboon

June 26th, 2012, 02:12 PM

sana maglaro ang...

Miami Heat vs. Regal Barcelona :)

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 02:20 PM

sana maglaro ang...

Miami Heat vs. Regal Barcelona :)

Football club vs. Basketball team? :nuts:

enerboon

June 26th, 2012, 02:50 PM

Football club vs. Basketball team? :nuts:

FC Barcelona Regal yong team ni Juan Carlos Navarro :lol:

gmaer

June 26th, 2012, 03:46 PM

FC Barcelona Regal yong team ni Juan Carlos Navarro :lol:

Ah si JC ng Spain! Sila ba ang champion ng Liga ACB at Euroleague? :cheers:

gmaer

June 27th, 2012, 04:52 AM

Pinaglaro ba ng Miami Heat si Juwan Howard nung last game ng 2012 NBA Finals? Mula pa ng 1994 sumali si Juwan Howard sa NBA at sa Miami Heat lang siya sinuwerte pero pinaglaro ba siya para may masabi lang na may naitulong siya kahit kaunti sa pagkapanalo nila ng championship? Sa NBA na ata lumaki sa Juwan Howard dahil nagsimula siyang Small Forward tapos naging Power Forward at ngayon nakalagay sa profile niya na Center na siya! Parang si Boris Diaw lang ah

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/Howard072110.jpg

Si Grant Hill na lang ang pinakamatagal na NBA player ngayon na wala pang championship ring! Dapat na siyang lumipat ng kupunan tulad ng ginawa ni Gary Payton para makapagchampion or magretiro na lang tulad ni Reggie Miller na 18 seasons sa NBA pero walang championship ring pwera lang sa olympic gold!

http://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/valleygirlblog/wp-content/uploads/Grant-Hill_bg.jpg

DaVz

June 27th, 2012, 06:39 AM

^^Steve Nash, oldie na rin pero wala pang 'ship ring..

absinthe_888

June 27th, 2012, 10:20 AM

Nakpaglaro si Juwan Howard nung game 5. Tumira, airball. :D

dave.

June 27th, 2012, 01:14 PM

nice.

gmaer

June 27th, 2012, 02:34 PM

Nakpaglaro si Juwan Howard nung game 5. Tumira, airball. :D

Ayun buti naman pero sino naka-rebound ng air ball nya? :lol:

Juwan Howard... it's time to leave and rest! Mission is over. :cheers:

^^Steve Nash, oldie na rin pero wala pang 'ship ring..

Steve Nash was drafted in 1996, Grant Hill is 2 seasons older than him. Since both of them are teammates in the Phoenix Suns, they should re-think about their NBA future by now. :)

1100

June 27th, 2012, 04:08 PM

Airball na airball yung tira ni Juwan :nuts:

gmaer

June 28th, 2012, 01:23 AM

Airball na airball yung tira ni Juwan :nuts:

Age does matter! Hehehe dahil sa katandaan humina na ang pulso ni Juwan! :lol:

absinthe_888

June 29th, 2012, 01:52 AM

^^ IIRC, nahingi pa ng foul si JH. :lol:

Time to retire, mission accomplished

1100

June 29th, 2012, 02:37 AM

May foul naman kasi talaga. :lol:

jhomai14

June 29th, 2012, 05:18 AM

excure me lang uli mga forumers, isingit ko lng yung First Round UAAP Schedule to those UAAP fans out there if any. hehehe

UAAP 75 - Basketball Men
1st Round Pairings

DAY MATCH Light Pairings Dark Time Day Date Venue
1 1 NU vs UE 2:00pm Sat 14-Jul-12 MOA Arena
2 UST vs FEU 4:00pm Sat 14-Jul-12 MOA Arena

3 DLSU vs UP 2:00pm Sun 15-Jul-12 MOA Arena
4 AdU vs ATENEO 4:00pm Sun 15-Jul-12 MOA Arena

5 ATENEO vs UST 2:00pm Thu 19-Jul-12 Araneta Coliseum
6 UE vs DLSU 4:00pm Thu 19-Jul-12 Araneta Coliseum

7 UE vs AdU 2:00pm Sat 21-Jul-12 MOA Arena
8 UP vs UST 4:00pm Sat 21-Jul-12 MOA Arena

9 FEU vs DLSU 2:00pm Sun 22-Jul-12 MOA Arena
10 ATENEO vs NU 4:00pm Sun 22-Jul-12 MOA Arena

11 Adu vs FEU 2:00pm Sat 26-Jul-12 Araneta Coliseum
12 UP vs NU 4:00pm Sat 26-Jul-12 Araneta Coliseum

13 UST vs NU 2:00pm Sat 28-Jul-12 MOA Arena
14 DLSU vs ATENEO 4:00pm Sat 28-Jul-12 MOA Arena

15 FEU vs UE 2:00pm Sun 29-Jul-12 MOA Arena
16 UP vs AdU 4:00pm Sun 29-Jul-12 MOA Arena

17 ATENEO vs UP 2:00pm Thu 2-Aug-12 Araneta Coliseum
18 NU vs FEU 4:00pm Thu 2-Aug-12 Araneta Coliseum

19 UST vs DLSU 2:00pm Sat 4-Aug-12 MOA Arena
20 UE vs ATENEO 4:00pm Sat 4-Aug-12 MOA Arena

21 FEU vs UP 2:00pm Sun 5-Aug-12 MOA Arena
22 AdU vs NU 4:00pm Sun 5-Aug-12 MOA Arena

23 DLSU vs AdU 2:00pm Wed 8-Aug-12 Araneta Coliseum
24 UE vs UST 4:00pm Wed 8-Aug-12 Araneta Coliseum

25 UST vs AdU 2:00pm Sat 11-Aug-12 PSC-Ultra
26 NU vs DLSU 4:00pm Sat 11-Aug-12 PSC-Ultra

27 UP vs UE 2:00pm Sun 12-Aug-12 Araneta Coliseum
28 ATENEO vs FEU 4:00pm Sun 12-Aug-12 Araneta Coliseum

jhomai14

June 29th, 2012, 05:21 AM

If the champions Miami Heat is founded on “the Big Three,” the current Blue Eagle team is founded on “the big three” …. <1> Slaughter’s scoring <2> Slaughter’s rebounding <3> Slaughter’s defense in the paint hehehe. Guard line is again acknowledged to be weak; no mention though of Ryan Buenafe whom I feel will be a factor along with Poy Erram. and yes im talking about Ateneo Blue Eagles as my post being biased to one team only.

http://www.ateneoalumniassociation.org/?p=3399

Ateneo seeks historic UAAP five-peat
Posted on June 20, 2012 by Michael Ramos
By Joseph W Buduan

Ateneo de Manila is looking to make UAAP history in Season 75. With the main pillars of their 4-Peat championship set to return, the Blue Eagles are seeking an unprecedented fifth straight UAAP Men’s senior division basketball championship. Not only will this be the longest ever title reign in the history of the Blue and White varsity. It will also be the longest undisputed title reign in the history of the UAAP. University of the East holds the current record of seven straight UAAP titles, but a couple of those were either shared titles or disputed titles won under some controversy.

7-foot center Greg Slaughter, Season 74 Rookie of the Year Kiefer Ravena, and Season 74 Finals MVP Nico Salva are all returning for a chance to make history. “Talking Greg into playing one more year was our top priority after the last championship,” said head coach Norman Black. Black, entering his eight year at the helm, is also looking to fine-tune and tweak both the skills and the sets of the reigning UAAP champion.

Ending school years and summer preseason tournaments have always been critical times. About a month and a half before the official end of every academic year, the team suspends practice in order to allow the players to catch up with all of their course requirements and other academics. That is all part and parcel of being a real student-athlete for the Ateneo, in an era where that term is being defined more and more loosely, if not being defiled outright by other schools that bring in players to play, period. “I’m sure you notice we always start the summer rusty because we don’t practice for several weeks toward the end of the second semester. We have to give the guys time to catch up on school work,” Black explained.

This summer started out no different for Black and his Blue Eagles, as they struggled to get past even middling teams throughout their first dozen games in both the Fr Martin Cup and the Fil Oil Flying V Cup, the two tournaments they traditionally use as tune-ups during the preseason. Just like last year, the Ateneo split the summer titles, winning the Fr Martin Cup championship against Jose Rizal University in overtime 98-92, and bowing to National University in the semifinals of the Fil Oil 84-70 during a brutal three-game stretch over three days just a couple of weeks back. Slaughter, who led the Ateneo in both game with 28 and 24 points respectively, simply said, “Yes we are,” with a broad grin when this writer inquired if they were crazy playing back-to-back playoff-level games.

If the summer showed one thing about the Ateneo, it is that they are still the team to beat for as long as the 7-foot giant is there to dominate the lane. Slaughter puts in baskets with the ease of an overgrown kid putting some cans on the topmost shelf of their pantry. No other team has anyone remotely that big or that skilled. Slaughter may not be the most fluid of athletes, but on sheer size and that soft touch form up to 17 feet make him the match up from hell. “Greg just makes things so much easier for the whole team, because he commands the double and triple team at the low blocks, and he knows how to shoot and pass out to the perimeter or the backdoor,” explained Alan Taule, an alumnus and former college coach.

It also showed that the Blue Eagles are in near-desperate need for a full-fledged and legitimate pointguard. Eman Monfort, the incumbent starter at the position the last two years has already graduated. So far, veteran Juami Tiongson and newcomer Nico Elorde have not proven equal to the task. Tiongson was a swingman who played more 3 than 2 all throughout his high school career, and is still uncomfortable setting and advancing against pressure, the two primary jobs of any pointguard. Elorde is a natural pointguard but seems to have issues going left, an anomaly considering he carries the genes of his legendary grandfather Gabriel. Do not bet against the duo however, because the UAAP is still a couple of weeks away, and that is a lot of time for Black and his assistants to hone both sentinels.

National University and long-time rival De La Salle University seem to be the two top challengers based on how both teams did during the summer. NU has reigning MVP Ray Parks and super athletic 6-foot-6 African import Emmanuel Mbe. Both players ran 1-2 in the statistical race of the Fil Oil, which championship they won for the first time. In that one-game finale, they beat an improved La Salle side that features an older roster that added dynamic newcomers in 6-foot-2 swingman Jeron Teng and 5-foot-10 pointguard Mac Tallo. “I really think NU and La Salle will be in the Final 4 along with us this year because they are both much better teams now,” Black said after the game for third in the Fil Oil.

University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University and Far Eastern University are of course ready to dispute the Final 4 claims that NU and La Salle seem to have already staked. UST has bull strong 6-foot-5 African import Karim Abdul to go with veteran mainstays like Jeric Teng (Jeron’s kuya), sharpshooters Jeric Fortuna and Clark Bautista, returning swingman Aljun Mariano, forward Kevin Ferrer and pesky power forward Carmelo Afuang. Adamson will likely have even bigger issues at pointguard with the departure of Jeric Canada and Lester Alvarez. They will lean on off-guard Alex Nuyles and forwards Eric Camson and Roider Cabrera. Academics have made 6-foot-6 African import Austin Manyara’s status with the team iffy. FEU has to figure out once and for all how ball-dominant guards RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo can coexist because they’ve become a smaller team. UE and State University will likely take up the rear of the standings this year.

Through it all the Blue Eagles seem unfazed. “It will be a tougher year, but we will be ready,” Black simply said.

gmaer

June 29th, 2012, 05:34 AM

Saan liga ang AMACU (Men's basketball)?

1100

June 29th, 2012, 03:29 PM

AMA Computer University? NAASCU

BergenScooterPatrol

June 29th, 2012, 08:59 PM

This is maybe the last All-Superstar Team the NBA will participate in, (including the international players like the Gasol Brothers, Dirk, Parker, Hadadi and Yi among others). NBA and FIBA are thinking of watering down or putting less importance on the Olympic Basketball tourney and just make it just an Under-23 competition , much like the Olympic futbol competition format.

NBA and FIBA is pushing for the FIBA World Championships, re-branded as The World Cup of Basketball as the PREMIERIEST :) , most prestigious tournament in the whole universe.

OK, going back to the Olympics in London, Wade and Bosh are definitely out of the line-up, so before NBA / USA Basketball will release their line-up, here's my take, Ver. 2.0

starters
pg - Chris Paul (CP3 regained his role as the starting pg, due to Westbrook's long season)
og - Kobe Bryant (with Wade's absence, Kobe will have no choice but to suit up)
sf - Kevin Durant (time to be friendly again with LBJ)
pg - LeBron James (the newly crowned champion :ohno: can actually play all positions, but will be well suited at the 4 to accommodate Durant at the 3)
c - Tyson Chandler (still the best option at center )

Reserves
pg - Deron Williams (...just because Russell proved he's not a pure point guard)
pg- Russell Westbrook (wont be defined by his relatively poor Finals performance, but deserving of this spot )
og- James Harden (ditto with The Beard)
f- Carmelo Anthony (best scorer not named Kobe. Still!)
f- Blake Griffin (superstar on the verge. NBA needs his marketability)
f/c - Kevin Love (best all-around big man for the US)
c- Anthony Davis (the Christian Laettner of this team, but will likely see more playing time if selected, because of lack of true bigs)

on the bubble:
g - Eric Gordon
f - Danny Granger
c - Roy Hibbert
and that Lin guy from NYC

Most likely USA roster, depleted by injuries (kobe, rose, howard, bosh) and no-shows (bynum, rondo, kobe)

starters

pg - westbrook (the healthiest among all pgs)
sg - wade (boyfriend is here, so might as well be here, right? but with recent injury, Eric Gordon might take roster spot)
sf - durant (best player at his position)
pf - james (can actually play all positions, but will be well suited at the 4 to accomodate durant and wade at the 2 and 3)
c - chandler (best option at center, doesnt really have to score to contribute, post play will be taken care of by the likes of lbj, melo andgriffin )

reserves

pg - paul (hohumm on participation, here just because all his best buds are here too)
pg - williams (a need for a 3rd point guard)
sg - harden (no matter how you look at it, harden deserves to be here)
f - anthony (iffy at being a reserve, might throw tantrums and lots of shots if he cant be a starter)
f - griffin (just becasue he's the most popular player not named le bron or kobe)
f/c - love (if injury persists, expect Roy Hibbert to take his place)
c- anthony davis (U of K center, likely no.1 pick, with lack of better big man due to injuries and no-shows, he is the next best thing, and good PR move too)

3cr

June 30th, 2012, 05:22 AM

Odom returns to Clips and Williams back to Jazz in 4-team deal
FoxSports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Lamar-Odom-Los-Angeles-Clippers-Mo-Williams-Utah-Jazz-NBA-deal-062912

Mo Williams will be reunited with the Utah Jazz as part of a four-team deal that will send Lamar Odom back to Los Angeles for a second chance with the Clippers.

William's agent, Mark Bartelstein, initially told The Associated Press the deal was finalized about 3:45 p.m. MDT Friday, and the Jazz and Clippers officially announced it in releases three hours later.

The deal initially was believed to involve only three teams, but a fourth, the Houston Rockets, got involved after Thursday's draft. The Rockets received the rights to the Clippers' 53rd overall pick, Furkan Aldemir, and the Jazz sent the team's trade exception to Dallas. The Mavs also received cash considerations from Houston.

Williams must pass a physical but is expected to hold a news conference in Salt Lake City on Monday or Tuesday.

The Jazz drafted Williams in 2003 but allowed him to leave after one season, a decision that general manager Kevin O'Connor said was the worst he ever made.

Dallas faced a Friday deadline on a $2.4 million buyout of Odom's $8.2 million option for next season.

Williams' decision to exercise his $8.5 million player option cleared the way for the deal.

''He's really excited,'' Bartelstein said. ''This is where his career started. They've got a terrific young team. He thinks he can come in and bring real leadership. He's excited about that. They made it clear how much they wanted him. They did a good job of recruiting him.''

Williams played in 57 games as a rookie before going to Milwaukee. He eventually became a starter and was an All-Star as recently as 2009.

Asked to recall the amount he let Williams leave Utah for, O'Connor on Thursday night shook his head and said, ''It wasn't that much.''

Bartelstein, who has several other players on the team, found it hard to fault the Jazz.

''Mo was a really young player at that time,'' he said. ''Kevin has wanted him back for a long time. Now, he's got him back. I think it's a great fit.''

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin has made no effort to hide how much he likes Williams, calling him a great player Thursday.

Williams, 29, is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $8.5 million.

While Williams put up solid numbers in Los Angeles under difficult circumstances, Odom - drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 1999 - is coming off an underwhelming 50-game stint with Dallas that didn't even take him through the entire season. He was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for the Lakers for the 2010-11 season.

The Mavericks on April 9 said Odom would be inactive for the rest of the season, when the then-defending NBA champions still had nine regular season games left and were making their push toward the playoffs. That move came two days after a heated halftime exchange between Odom and Dallas owner Mark Cuban, who questioned the player's commitment to the team.

Odom's averages of 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 20.5 minutes in Dallas were career lows. The 32-year-old Odom has averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in 879 career games.

The four-team deal provides the Mavericks with an $8.2 million trade exception, similar to what they used to acquire Odom from the Los Angeles Lakers last December.

The Jazz, meanwhile, get another veteran guard.

Williams averaged 13.2 points and 3.1 assists in 52 games last season for the Clippers, who acquired him in a trade from Cleveland in February 2011. In 589 career games, he has averaged 13.8 points and 4.9 assists.

He played out of position much of last season after the blockbuster deal that brought Chris Paul to the Clippers and the team then acquired Chauncey Billups.

The Jazz took Williams 47th overall in 2003.

3cr

June 30th, 2012, 06:57 AM

Bird rights granted to Lin and others
ESPN
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8085646/ruling-gives-jeremy-lin-chauncey-billups-bird-rights-affects-cap

New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak, Los Angeles Clippers' Chauncey Billups and Portland Trail Blazers' J.J. Hickson secured Bird and early Bird rights in a hearing between the NBA Players Association and the league in a ruling on Friday.

The decision was made by arbitrator Kenneth Dam, who affirmed that players claimed off waivers are able to retain their valuable Bird and early Bird rights when they become free agents. That means that if Lin, Billups, Novak and Hickson re-sign, their teams can go over the salary cap. The Celtics were the first team to use this exception, re-signing former star Larry Bird to go over the cap.

All four players were waived this season and claimed by other teams. They will become free agents July 1.

In addition, future players claimed off waivers likewise will benefit from Friday's ruling.

The NBA said it would appeal Friday's ruling. The players' association believes the appeal from the league will not be resolved by July 1, the start of free agency.

"The NBA is entitled under the CBA to file an appeal, and we will respond accordingly. We don't think any such appeal has merit, and we are confident that the decision will stand and these players will benefit from it, whether it's through an expedited appeal process or a negotiated resolution," said Ron Klempner, deputy general counsel of the players' union.

Lin and Novak will enter the 2012-13 free agency period with early Bird rights, meaning that they can be re-signed for 175 percent of their salary the previous season or the NBA average salary, whichever is greater.

Billups and Hickson will have Bird rights, meaning they can be re-signed up to the maximum salary.

"Bird and early Bird rights are the lynchpin of our Soft Cap system, and we're pleased that Professor Dam recognized that a player does not forfeit these important rights unless he makes an affirmative decision to sign with a new team as a free agent," NBPA executive director Billy Hunter said in a statement released by the players' union. "Players fought hard for a Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows maximum flexibility for free-agent players while also permitting teams to retain their core free agents, and today's decision affirms both of these important principles."

The ruling is especially huge for the Knicks. They can now retain Lin, Novak and Landry Fields at up to $5 million each and then sign an additional player at $3 million or less with their mid-level exception. The Knicks will likely be in the market for a seasoned veteran point guard. The ruling is one step toward creating enough space to go after a player such as Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller or Raymond Felton.

The Knicks could also retain J.R. Smith who opted out of his player option by re-signing him at 120 percent of his previous year's salary using a non-Bird exception.

anak_mm

June 30th, 2012, 10:55 PM

kala ko naman deron williams balik sa jazz :lol:

Bori427

July 1st, 2012, 05:11 AM

3cr, Hibbert already played for Jamaica in 2010, he can't represent the US.

gmaer

July 1st, 2012, 07:16 AM

Retired na pala si Antonio McDyes noh? Sayang may autographed rookie card pa naman ako nun nung nagpunta ako sa Denver nung 1995 ata un. Akala ko makakapag-champion pa sana sya sa San Antonio Spurs!

IslandSon.PH

July 1st, 2012, 07:18 AM

Energen Pilipinas routs Indonesia to sweep SEABA Under-18 tournament:cheers:

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/assets/2012/06/olsen-racela-youth-team.jpg
The Philippine youth team in action in last year's FIBA Asia Under-16 championship. InterAKTV/Mikkel Bolante

The Energen Pilipinas national youth team defeated Indonesia, 81-57, to complete a sweep of its four games and defend its title in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Under-18 Championships in Singapore.

The Philippines once again banked on a strong effort in the second half, turning a six-point halftime lead into a second half blowout.

Co-captain J-Jay Alejandro led Energen Pilipinas with 18 points, built around four three-pointers, while Rey Nambatac finished with an all-around line of 15 points, four assists and four steals. Kyle Suarez added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Philippines.

Indonesia was led by Jan Misael Panagan, who had 13 points and six rebounds in the game.

The boys of Energen coach Olsen Racela relied on excellent defense in the game, holding Indonesia down to a miserable 28% shooting clip from the field and forcing 18 turnovers, which resulted in 17 turnover points on the other end.

The Philippines clinched its third straight title in the SEABA Under-18 Championships, winning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2008 and in Yangon, Myanmar two years ago.

Energen Pilipinas cruised to an easy sweep of tournament with double-digit wins in each of their four games. They scored an average of 91 points per game while holding opponents down to just 53.3 points.

The top three finishers in the tournament qualify for the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championships in Mongolia later this year. Both the Philippines and Indonesia have qualified while Malaysia and Singapore dispute the final spot in the last game of the tournament.

interaktv (http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/energen-pilipinas-routs-indonesia-to-sweep-seaba-under-18-tournament)