It's easy to think only two prominent NBA players stand between LeBron James and the ring he so desperately seeks. Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki both felt his wrath this season, but does that mean they can't stop him from his goal?
Saga of Vanessa Bryant may handcuff Kobe and Los Angeles Lakers
Nobody doubted Kobe was a gamer but he still went out of his way to prove it the last few weeks by putting on a scoring exhibition of 40-point games. That hot streak ended courtesy of an ill LeBron James as his Miami Heat went into the Staples Center and suffocated the Lakers offense. This doesn't guarantee anything but it does open many eyes. That fact that James can win on the road against a western conference powerhouse shows how good the Heat are and how badly their leader wants a championship. Bryant assured fans he's no over the hill either, but other factors may contribute to his being unable to stop LeBron. Most notably of course is his ongoing divorce with wife Vanessa Bryant, who took both a mansion and a check worth tens of millions. Combined with some nasty rumors about his personal life, it seems the man who is Kobe Bryant doesn't have enough fingers to keep the dam from bursting. He might not share that problem alone either.
Nowitzki has Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian show circling Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki knows how to beat LeBron James. He did it last year when the Miami Heat crumbled under the constant pressure offered by the Dallas Mavericks. Yet after a humiliating opening day, defeat and subsequent struggles to stay above .500, Nowitzki finds his new team doesn't compare with the one that brought home the title. Among the biggest reasons are the recent arrival of prominent bench man Lamar Odom and his wife Khloe Kardashian. While neither compare to the media disaster that is Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian, they still offer a distraction just by their presence. Throw in Odom not living up to his award-winning talent and Dirk Nowitzki has a problem. Entering his 14th seasons, the German-born big man doesn't have many years left in the NBA. With LeBron entering his prime he may have to bow to the inevitable truth that Dallas can't repeat under such circumstances.
Burden falls to those like Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant to hold the fort
While reports continue fawning over the Miami Heat and their polarizing leader, two young stars have emerged daring to challenge his right to the crown. In the west, scoring machine Kevin Durant has built the young Oklahoma City Thunder into an impressive spectacle. In the east, reigning MVP Derrick Rose leads a talent-laden Chicago Bulls squad featuring suffocating defense. Both players are eager for their chance to prove King James is not of true royal blood.
Distraction becomes the buzz word of the 2012 season. Kobe Bryant has his wife Vanessa Bryant. Dirk Nowitzki has Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian. Even as their teams keep winning, LeBron James keeps them at a comfortable distance with convincing victories in head-to-head contests. Whether he does that in the finals, like he's failed to do twice already in his career, remains a mystery until June.
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Comments: 18
Durant hasn't built the Thunder, he's not the GM.
The Heat's biggest problem is their lack of depth, but fortunately for them they're playing in the East, where they'll face the Bulls in the conference finals. Their overwhelming front line talent, when they're all healthy, will take them to the finals, where they will lose to the Thunder.
And you know I'm a Bulls fan, but they're still a player, a big, away. If they can get that player during the season for one of the their surfeit of guards, they could go all the way.
Anyone available still has to be fit in under the cap, and it's hard to read the market for the guys who will be back from China. I really like Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin. I like Amir Johnson, who may be available for a first round pick if Toronto decides to give up early if Bargnani is still injured and they can't compete. I like a guy who is actively trying to play his way out of Sacramento, Demarcus Cousins, or another guy on the Kings, Travis Outlaw. I think if Utah fades, that Paul Milsap could be available.
I don't think anything is going to get done until after the all-star break, and teams have a better idea of whether to hold or to fold.
I'd rather see someone more in keeping with the character of the team, younger, more athletic. They've got to be able to play D.
Ray Allen isn't leaving. His kid's a diabetic and Ray wants to stay near the Joslin Clinic. He'll take even less money to stay next year.
If anyone goes, it's the Truth. No one wants to accommodate KG's 23 million contract for even one year.
Besides, what could the Bulls possibly give the Celtics--unless it's a 3 way?
Two first rounders are gonna be close to first-pick, second rounders--although I hear the draft's deep, for this June.
Yeah, Terry's like "The Microwave."
KG is getting closer to a shell of his former self. He's fading faster, this year. He's not that far away from the Chief's final days
Allen could fit in as a Steve-Kerr, career-ending, off-the-bench, at-the-last- minute, shooter.
And Allen's D is underrated. He's better than what many think.
I like the Thunder, a lot. They're fun to watch [and I'm a Celtics fan].
I'd like to see the Bulls play the Thunder, in the finals--but I still think the Heat'll take the East.
But those Bulls....they're playing with true resolve--as if they feel it's their year.
Deng is a favorite player of mine. Has been for quite some time. Now that Pierce is older, Deng's better than his rival and idol.
The Dallas/Thunder series could match up as one of the all-time great playoff contests.
Ali, Erik...could you please explain to me WHY the Lakers traded Odom?? [And no Kardashian jokes in either of your answers.]
The Thunder have the scorers to go after the title, but my biggest question is can they play consistent defense. It's the other way around for the Bulls. Their defense is the best in the NBA but they have a bad habit of disappearing offensively. Until they add a consistent scorer next to Rose, the Eastern Conference Finals is as far as they'll go. Whether Rip Hamilton is the answer remains unclear.
Odom is simply one of the most versatile players, around. Without Odom, Bynum is less effective--especially because of how saddled he is with injuries.
Boozer and Deng can be often be consistent offensive threats. But the bench isn't deep enough.
Hamilton was one of my favorite players. Moves great without the ball. Don't know how much is left in the tank.
Wish the Celtics could have plucked him last year.....along with Battier.
Battier is my kind of basketball player.
Remember Posey?
Ainge wouldn't give Posey the money. And there, started the Celtics downfall. Then Tony Allen. Then Perk.
[Doesn't matter about Posey's diminished skills. On-the-court chemistry was terrific--and KG and Pierce really knew it.]
No one realizes, here in Boston, that Ainge is somewhat of a disaster.....aside from guys getting too old to play.
The owners are in denial.
SORRY, COULDN'T HELP MY RANT......I'M PISSED!
Bynum will hold up his end provided he stays healthy.
Boozer puts up points when he isn't getting guarded. Deng disappears mostly because he expends too much playing defense. I disagree that the bench isn't deep. It is, but not with scorers. Everyone from Taj Gibson to Omer Asik play great defense. They just need a Jason Terry, someone with deadly touch.
Hamilton is still in phenomenal shape and adapts his game so well to his teammates. I think he has a few years left, at least until the Bulls can find somebody younger.
I visualized dark, dark things when I thought of Posey. Man, did Bulls fans hate him. It was only a matter of time before the Celtics started losing players to age and free agency. If they want to rebuild fast they should start dealing their stars before it's too late.
Say what you want about Ainge. He got you to two NBA finals and a championship when things were still pretty bad in Boston. If I recall that makes three total championships he's contributed to for the Celtics, counting the two he got as a player. I'd give him some more leeway to try and get the team younger, probably building around Rondo.