James Harden is Done for 2015

Tonight could very well be the end of James Harden's 2015 season. It has been a defining one for him. He began his march towards superstar status when he first came to Houston, and this year cemented himself as one of the games best players. Harden led Houston to the second best record in the western conference, an impressive feat considering the strength of the conference. At the same time there was very little difference between the two seed and the six seed in the west.
Harden put up impressive numbers, as he did not always shoot the ball efficiently from the field, but he consistently got to the free throw line more than any other player in the league. It has been an impressive year for Harden. He had to carry a team that was without its second best player in Dwight Howard, much of the season. It was hard for me to get completely behind the Harden for MVP campaign, because I just did not think it was him. I believed Stephen Curry was the MVP of the league from start to finish. I never once fell for the 50 point James Harden games here and there. In fact, I think I did not give him enough credit this season. Simply because no one seemed to recognize how good Curry was even if you did not take into account statistics.
Well, here we are before game four of the conference finals, and Harden is about to lose to the MVP. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Harden can get back to these conference finals, without a big change in the lineup. Golden State will continue to dominate the west for the next couple years, and Oklahoma City will hopefully have both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook at full strength. I think San Antonio will improve as well.
The next step for Houston is James Harden getting a little more help, and Harden himself becoming a more efficient scorer.

Game Two

Well I was way off on last nights game. Golden State got off to the start I expected, but like the Rockets did in game one, the Warriors gave up the lead and the game was tied at the half. It went down to the wire and the ball was in James Harden's hands. Unfortunately that's how it ended, with Harden ultimately fumbling the basketball as time expired. It was a great back and forth battle between Harden and Stephen Curry. The two went for 38 and 33 respectively, and hit countless big shots during the forth quarter. Again, I still believe this series is over in five, but I still haven't seen the blowout I thought was coming. Houston and Golden State are making up for my complete lack of interest in the Hawks-Cavs series.
I know the Hawks are supposed to be the Spurs of the east, which is somewhat true. They are the Spurs of the EAST. A much weaker conference with less competition. The Hawks are much less fun to watch in stretches, as their bench can struggle a lot at times. The offense as a whole goes through rough patches where they can seem to buy a basket, which never seems to be a problem in San Antonio.
LeBron James will always be enough to grab my attention, but only for stretches as his club has not been that great to watch either. With no Kevin Love and an injured Kyrie Irving, the Cavs are not as exciting as they were game one of the playoffs. I have a feeling tonight the Hawks show up and go for over 100. JR Smith does not hit every shot he takes tonight, but maybe Kyrie will hit a few. Hawks will barely win tonight by a slim margin. 105-100.

It Will Only Get Better for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors survived a game one battle last night, narrowly defeating the Houston Rockets by four points. It was a very interesting game, as the Rockets got off to a great start, going up by 16 with just five minutes to go in the first half. Then the Warriors began to turn it around, thanks in no small part to their versatile backup point guard Shaun Livingston. Livingston had 16 points in the first half and sparked the run late in the second quarter that helped the Warriors take the lead. The MVP Stephen Curry ended the half in typical Curry fashion, letting go of a step back jumper with no time on the clock and watching it fall through the net. The Warriors held a 58-55 lead at the half, after Houston had played so well.
James Harden had one of his better playoff games in my opinion. He finished with 28 points 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Harden was getting his step back jumper to go, a shot that had failed him recently. When Harden is not hitting his isolation jump shots, he does not have efficient nights from the field, but 11-19 was a great sign for the Rockets.
Houston played well last night which is another good sign, but the Warriors did not. Game one does not change my opinion of how this series will go, I think the Warriors did not come close to their best last night, and the Rockets did about as well as they could without Dwight Howard being effective. Going forward it is important that the Warriors begin to clamp down more defensively. Continue to let Josh Smith shoot threes, and put more pressure on ball handlers other than Harden. The defense will lead to even more fast break opportunities for the Warriors. As always they can cut down on the unforced errors when they try to make the home run play, but those never seem to be too big of an issue, just limiting them is key.
I think game two will be a blowout. I don't see Harden scoring as efficiently as he did in game one, and I think the injury to Dwight Howard is a real concern going forward in this series. The splash brothers will be too much. That and an improved defensive performance will help give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.

The Rockets Are Here

The other side of the Clippers-Rockets series are the Rockets. The Houston Rockets did in fact win this series, and did so almost out of nowhere. We all have heard the story of how they came back, so let's move on. The Rockets now take on the best team in the league. A team that just had their first challenge of the year, trailing 2-1 against Memphis. The Warriors came back, because of the MVP. In contrast the Rockets came back, and without their MVP. Yes, Harden had a lot to do with game five and seven wins, but he was nowhere to be found during the decisive game six comeback.
So, during the regular season the Warriors won all four games by an average of 15 points. You can throw out any regular season numbers, but it was four blowouts, so something to at least keep in mind. The match-up on the surface is simply not great for the Rockets. The Rockets defense is not that great. The Warriors defense is elite. The Rockets can score a lot of points. The Warriors score the most. The Rockets have the runner up in the MVP race. The Warriors have the MVP. Not only of the regular season but also during the playoffs. Stephen Curry has been great for the Warriors, and most impressive during the two closeout games.
To me, the Rockets only have a chance if Josh Smith continues to play the way he has in the past two games, and Harden plays like an MVP. Not the 27, 6 and 8 guy, but a 35ppg guy. Harden must try to score 40 every night. I think he can drop 40 a couple of times, but it won't be enough. My prediction is that Houston will win either game three or four at home, but ultimately lose the series in five games. Houston is a very good team, and I don't want to discredit the amazing turnaround they pulled off against the Clippers, but they shouldn't be here. The Clippers blew it more than the Rockets won it in my opinion, and it will show when Houston gets blown out of the conference finals.

Clippers Fail Again

The Houston Rockets pulled off a great comeback, finishing it today with a game seven win at home. They were down 3-1 in the series and trailed by 19 late in game six, but were able to turn it all around with the help of role players. Josh Smith and Corey Brewer led the way in game six and were instrumental in the game seven victory.
One part of the story is the unlikely turnaround by the Rockets, and the other is the collapse of the Los Angeles Clippers. They blew a 3-1 series lead. The team, many would say, have underachieved in the playoffs once again. Last year the team should have won game five against the Thunder, if it wasn't for an epic late game collapse. I'm not sure who to blame for this. Everyone always says that you can't blame Chris Paul for not reaching the conference finals yet. I don't know what else one would say. Once again Paul put up great numbers throughout the playoffs and in this series, but there was something missing. People used to always be very quick to blame LeBron James for failing to win big series. They would say that despite the numbers he was not clutch, and could never win a championship. Now, saying he was not clutch wasn't fair, but giving him the blame was. James should have taken the responsibility, as he did, for the many losses early in his career. As a superstar, franchise player and future hall of famer, that was the expectation. To be able to carry his team, when he had the opportunity, past tough opponents in late playoff rounds.
The same applies to Chris Paul when talking about the conference finals. He has not been able to reach the round yet. I am not saying his game to game play has been poor, certainly not statistically, but he lacks a certain ability to carry his team to victories. Let me preface what I'm saying. If a LeBron James led team, whether it be the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers, was leading a series three games to one, and then was up by 19 late in a game six, and went on to lose the series, would we not say that LeBron chocked? I know I would have said LeBron should have finished it off. Especially in the game six. Superstars should be able to will their team to win, whether it is scoring themselves or creating chances for others.
Blake Griffin must take some of the blame too, because this is his team as well. He was statistically very good these playoffs, I think he has been the second best player thus far behind Stephen Curry. At the end of game six he was a non-factor, and game seven he played well, but was not that aggressive. Los Angeles has a lot to figure out this offseason, with Deandre Jordan being their biggest priority. I'm not sure that there is a big need for change on this team at the top, but the supporting cast could use some work. Austin Rivers showed some great promise during the playoffs, but the rest of the bench is not too good. Matt Barnes could be replaced as the starter. His three point shot is just not consistent enough for someone who almost only shoots perimeter shots. The Clippers should look to sign or trade for a more dynamic wing player.
Perhaps Chris Paul will simply be one of these all time greats who never wins a championship. I think the Clippers will still have plenty of opportunities in the coming years, but the pressure will only rise.

It's Time for James Harden to Step Up

For all the people who wanted to see James Harden win this years MVP award, tonight is the night he needs to prove he deserved it. With an almost must win game tonight in Los Angeles, the burden falls on Harden to tie up the series at two games a piece. Harden has to step up the scoring that made him such a tough player to handle throughout the regular season. Harden has been doing a great job of getting everyone else involved this series, but it might take one of those 40 point efforts from him tonight, if Houston wants to get back in this series.
With Chris Paul back in the lineup for the Clippers, life does not get any easier for the Rockets. One thing that has been really tough for Houston has been the point guard play. Jason Terry has done a great job of knocking down threes, but Harden does most of the play-making on offense, like he has much of the season. The big issue is defense. Without Patrick Beverley, Houston does not have a point guard capable of playing lock down defense for stretches. Terry is almost a liability on that end of the court.
I'm not sure that the Rockets can win game four if Harden does not go off. I think too much Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will be enough to beat Houston tonight.

Who is the best?

The best player in the NBA right now, still has to be LeBron James. Just last year I thought that Kevin Durant has surpassed him and become slightly the better player, but his injury-plagued season has caused a relapse. What is different about this year, and more fascinating is that when I think about who is the best player in the league today, many names come to mind. Last year, and for the last couple years, it has been a two man competition between Durant and James. This year I can say that we have even more competition. Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Stephen Curry have all entered this conversation. Not simply because they are all MVP candidates, but also because they have stepped their individual games up to superstar level.

Who Should Really Win MVP?

Now I already gave my prediction as to who I believe will win and why I think they are MVP, but the criteria for this award is still not clear. Many like to argue that it is awarded to the best player. That simply is not true, otherwise Kobe Bryant would have multiple MVP's and Michael Jordan would have the award named after him at this point. Another argument is the best player on the best team, but that does not work either. Tony Parker was probably the Spurs best player last year and he was not ever really considered, Kevin Durant won. So, the award is given to one of the top five players in the league during that year. Now let's say that the top five players in the league this year are LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Marc Gasol (sorry John Wall, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, Lamarcus Aldridge). Now, taking those players which plays on the best team? Stephen Curry and the league best Golden State Warriors. That is your MVP. It still feels strange giving the award out like that because an argument can be made that Russell Westbrook is the best player in the league right now. I also did not even mention the Atlanta Hawks, because they do not have a true star, yet they brought four players to the all-star game. The award is a confusing one, but I believe they will get it right this year if it is awarded to Curry.

NBA Predictions Part VIII

This years MVP is Stephen Curry. James Harden, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, even Marc Gasol all have had great years, but Curry is the one. He plays on the best team in the league and means so much to what they do on offense. His energy is infectious, and its big momentum changing plays from Curry that give the team an extra boost every night. He has also picked up his play on defense as players are shooting around 40% when being defended by him. Curry is what the traditional MVP is: he is the best player on the best team, he has great statistics, and that "it" factor. The plays he makes are unlike anyone in the league.

Predictions for NBA Regular Season Awards

We have about a quarter of the regular season to go, and the battle for title favorite has really heated up. The Golden State Warriors still hold the leagues best record, but the Atlanta Hawks are hanging around along with the Memphis Grizzlies. Teams like Houston and Cleveland are really starting to catch a lot of peoples eyes because of the teams success, along with the elevated superstar play of MVP candidates James Harden and LeBron James. While the recipients of home court advantage are yet to be determined, individual awards are what is the focus today. I will predict, at this point in the season, who I believe will win the individual awards for the NBA regular season.

MVP Race

If the season were to end today, I still believe that Stephen Curry is the MVP of the NBA. However, LeBron James is not too far behind now. The impact he has had during the teams recent 12 game winning streak (which ended at the hands of the Indiana Pacers last night), was incredible. Not just scoring but playmaking, defense and leadership. All traits that make James so great. I also think James Harden is not far behind, nor are players like Marc Gasol, Jeff Teague and John Wall. I think that Curry and James are the clear top 2 right now, but all it takes is a strong week long run by Harden or Gasol to change my opinion.

Rondo Trade Puts More Burden on James Harden

Now that Dallas has made a blockbuster move to acquire Rajon Rondo, the pressure is all on James Harden. The man has been playing like the MVP of late, especially with Dwight Howard out with injury. Harden has almost single handedly kept the Houston Rockets at the top of the Western Conference standings. His play has been great, but with the Grizzlies, Spurs and Mavs all in their division (not to mention the Pelicans, currently the eighth seed), it will be tough going forward for the Rockets to grab home court advantage. Perhaps this move will spark the Rockets to counter with a trade of their own. Rondo was the target but maybe Houston can grab a Goran Dragic from Phoenix. The Rockets need an upgrade if they want to compete for a title this year.

An October Glance at the NFL

   The National Football League has taken over my Sundays, and I don't mind a bit. As the season approaches the midway point, the games become more and more intense. The level of competition throughout the league become greater it seems as most teams still believe they can make a run at the playoffs. Of course that is not really the case. In the next couple of weeks teams will either remain in contention, or slowly fall back. The Minnesota Vikings may be a team that falls back. The Vikings were 5-2 going into this weeks Thursday Night matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they came out flat and got  handled at home 36-17. The Vikings got off to a fast start, however, it would not surprise me at all if they drop their next 5 games, which include two games with the division rival, and now 6-1, Chicago Bears. So, while some teams may begin to fade, others should get on a roll.

The team that seems most prime to get on that roll, is the New England Patriots. After traveling to London to take down the St. Louis Rams 45-7, the Patriots sit at 5-3, and atop the AFC East. Besides back to back prime time games against the Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers at home, the rest of the schedule looks promising. Don't be surprised if the Patriots end the season with the second best record in the AFC, or even home field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

   Whatever happens, it's sure to be another exciting finish to the regular season, and we all know come January how much more the games intensify. So if there is one thing I'm trying to say here, it's that there will be teams that have promising starts, who end up one of the worst teams in the league. Likewise there are also teams that come out of the gates slow, and take time to get going. However, once they do get going they are very hard to stop, as we saw last year. All you have to do is get in, and then ride that momentum to the Super Bowl. 

   I would also like to take this time to announce that next I will be making my predictions for the upcoming NBA season, which will include my NBA champion. So check in soon to see who I think will be making it to the NBA Finals, and yes that James Harden trade does affect my decision.