East vs West: The Competition for NBA Domination

There's 30 teams in the NBA. That's split into 2 conferences. The Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Both teams are equal in size, 15 each. And each year, the winner of each conference faces off in the best spectacle of the NBA, the NBA Finals. The best players from each conference play each other in the All-Star game. All of these are competitions, between the two conference, mostly to see who is better. Which conference is the best that year. The 2011-12 NBA season is no different (actually it's very different, playing 66 games and all. But in regards to inter-conference play, it is the same.) One conference will come out on top, and like everything else in the NBA, we're gonna analyze which conference is better.

Just like the MVP, there's no easy way to determine it. There's no formula that you can plug some numbers into and it will kick out your answer for you. Instead, we have to actually write an analysis and establish some guidelines to go by to decide who's better? Guidelines are best posed as questions that you ask yourself, so let's ask ourself:

1. Which conference has the most and/or bigger names?

2. If the 1 seed from the West and the 1 seed from the East played a seven game series, who wins? 8 seed vs 8 seed?

3. How many teams in each conference will end the year with winning records?

4. If the top 16 teams in the league were put in a tournament, how many would be from the East/West?

Question 1: Which conference has the most and/or bigger names?

This one isn't the easiest. The West has Kobe, Durant, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, Rudy Gay, Westbrook, Monta Ellis, Steph Curry, Tyreke Evans, Nowitzki, Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. The East, on the other hand, has LeBron, DWade, DHoward, Josh Smith, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Amare, Rondo, Joe Johnson, and John Wall. The biggest names in the West: Bryant, Durant, Griffin, Paul, Love, Nowitzki, and Duncan. The East: LeBron, DWade, DHoward, Carmelo, Derrick Rose, and Chris Bosh.

West: 7.

East: 6.

Question 2: If the 1 seed from the West and the 1 seed from the East played a four game series, who wins? 8 seed vs 8 seed?

Obviously, first we have to decide who the 1 seed is for each conference. The 1 seed for the West, in my opinion, is the Thunder. For the East, you can't go wrong with the Bulls. What happens if the Thunder play the Bulls in a seven game series? You get stellar guard play from both sides (Rose vs Westbrook). But after that, the Thunder are just a better team. However, looking at the top teams isn't the only concern. You also have to think about the worst teams (you're only as good as your weakest link). So who is the 8th seed in each conference? The Cavaliers and the Warriors. What if the Cavaliers and the Warriors play seven? Then the West wins again. The Warriors fast-paced offense obliterates the Cavs one superstar half court team. The Best of the West beats the Beast in the East, and the Worst of the West beats the Bottom of the East. The West are the better conference here.

Question 3: How many teams in each conference will end the year with winning records?

This one is pretty clear cut. The Playoffs aren't a great example of the league's best, because each conference ends up with 8 teams. What if 12 teams have winning records? Four don't get in. So instead, how many end up with winning records? For the East, we'll say only 9 (Sixers, Knicks, Boston, Bulls, Pacers, Hawks, Heat, Cavaliers, and Magic). Boston should end up two games over .500, 9th seed. In the West, 11 make it in (Thunder, Nuggets, Jazz, TrailBlazers, Timberwolves, Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets, and Grizzlies). The bottom 3 are the Timberwolves, Jazz, and Rockets. The West are the better conference in this regard too.

Question 4: If the top 16 teams in the league were put in a tournament, how many would be from the East/West?

We're just gonna list the top 16 teams in the league to start:

1. Bulls

2. Thunder

3. Magic

4. Sixers

5. Hawks

6. Heat

7. TrailBlazers

8. Pacers

9. Lakers

10. Clippers

11. Spurs

12. Grizzlies

13. Nuggets

14. Mavericks

15. Warriors

16. Cavaliers

Out of the top 16, seven are from the East, the other 9 are from the West. Once again, the West wins more.

Of the four guidelines we set out at the beginning, the East don't even take one question. The West beats them out every time. Now, obviously these aren't the only guidelines. But it's definitely a start, and for all intensive purposes, the West is better.

So there you have it, a comparison of conferences, a competition of conferences, an institution in the NBA. Maybe, I'll be wrong, and maybe you disagree, and that's fine, but so far it looks like the West is bette than the East this year.

If you have any feedback, just let us know in the comments and there's a good chance you end up in the Best Comments Page.

-Gunner

Was Kobe's 81 Point Game His Most Impressive?

You read the title. It seems like it should be an obvious yes. I mean, the guy scored 81 points in one game. In all of NBA History, it was the second greatest ever. So how could it not be the most impressive of his career right? Maybe not. It honestly might not have even been the most impressive of that season. I know what you're wondering. What game could have possibly surpassed this one? To answer that, let's take a trip, down memory lane:

Los Angeles, California.

December 20th, 2005.

Twenty-four guys are about to get together and play a basketball game. No big deal, a standard 5-on-5 game. The only difference between this and your neighborhood pick-up game is that this game will be played in front of some fans. Some fans who are about to be in for quite a treat. The game starts off at a place called the Staples Center. The teams are called the Lakers and the Mavericks. The Lakers are led by a guy who stands about 6 feet 6 inches. His dad used to play some ball, maybe you remember him. His name was Joe. His kid is playing in this game, his name's Kobe.  The Mavericks are led by a German dude named Dirk Nowitzki. The stage is set for a real fun game. 

First shot of the game, Smush Parker misses, but that Kobe guy gets the offensive rebound and pulls up. Swish. Lakers fans are hoping that Kobe has his mark all night. Then all of the sudden, Bryant is 2 for 2. Is he starting to heat up? The Mavericks better hope not, because this entire season, Kobe has been just potent. He's averaging over 30 points, and in the week before he averaged 33.8 a game. It's easily one of the best seasons of his career, which is saying something. Because this is Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant who won three straight championships from 2000-2002. Kobe Bryant who is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA History. Kobe Bryant who is easily one of the top 3 players in the league. Easily one of the best players of all time, so you definitely don't want Kobe Bryant to get hot. In fact, if you're Avery Johnson, coach of the Mavs, you better make it your number one defensive priority to NOT let Kobe Bryant get hot. Let Lamar Odom, let Chris Mihm, let Smush Parker get hot. But whatever you do, don't let Kobe Bryant get hot. Especially after he torched you for 43 about a week before this. 

However, it seems like the best defense in the world couldn't stop Kobe so far. There's still 8 minutes left in the first quarter, and Kobe's got 8 point on 4-for-4 shooting. Better find a way to stop him Avery, because Dirk Nowitzki can swish as many fadeaway jumpers as he wants, but he's not going to match Kobe. Not tonight. And uh-oh, 5 minutes left in the first, 5-for-6 shooting and 10 points. Not looking good so far if you're Mr. Johnson. The sweat should start to pour out if you're a Maverick fan right about the time that Kobe makes an amazing acrobatic hang time layup and takes half your team to school to become 6-for-7 with 12 points. Now that wouldn't be super impressive. For most, that's a typical night after 48 minutes. But..there's still 4:30 left in the first quarter. He's got 12 point and 8 minutes and cannot miss. Sorry, Josh Howard, you're not gonna get to him. 

Fast forward to the end of the first quarter. Heat Check: Kobe's got 15 points, 7-for-8 shooting, 1-1 from the free throw line. He ends the quarter taking a break on the bench. Maybe that will cool him down. But honestly, as a coach in the NBA, if you're main strategy for stopping somebody is to wait for his own coach to pull him off, you don't have much of a chance always. 

Anyways, 2nd quarter starts. Before even minute goes by, he's found his way to the line for 2 shots. The boys from Dallas catch a break. Kobe misses a free throw. But, he's right back to the line 15 seconds later to hit 2. Once again, we're gonna fast forward. Eleven minutes have passed. It's halftime, and it looks like Avery Johnson might need a new suit because his looks soaked. Why? Because Kobe Bryant has 32 points, and it's only halftime. HALFTIME, 32 points. This one is shaping up to be too good. 

After somebody's dream of performing at halftime of a Lakers game comes true, the game is ready to start back up. Third quarter action, underway:

Kobe wastes no time getting started. He takes the ball right at 7 foot Erick Dampier and draws the foul. He goes to the line and hits his 9th free throw for point number 33. Eleven minutes remaining in the third. Kobe's doing so good at this basketball thing, he decides to start being a fighter. Nails Dirk in the face with a right hand on a follow through. Dirk gets tagged with the foul. Chucks his mouthguard. He gets a technical. Kobe hits the free throw. Then Avery Johnson (remember him?), gets a technical. Kobe hits the free throw. He scores 4 points without the clock moving. Kobe's got 37, and Dirk's got an icepack on his cheek. Ten minutes left in the third. Fast forward, 6 minutes later. Kobe has really turned it up. He's hit a flurry of shots and headed to the line a couple more times. And Avery Johnson finally found a way to not be responsible for Kobe getting hot. He's decided he'll just leave, picking up his second technical of the night. Kobe's still not missing, and he's got 48. Here we go.

There's four minutes to go (in the third). Kobe hits for 2 free throws. Fifty points. 3:26. He's not perfect though. He does air ball a 3. But then he gets 52 on the fast break with a perfect tear drop. 52 points, 2:06 left in the third. And now Kobe's gonna do something special. There's 1:26 left in the third. He's got 52. Two free throws, 54. Kobe blocks Nowitzki's shot. Then in transition, 2 more free throws, 56. One minute left. The Lakers are up by 30. People start to realize, Kobe might not play at all in the fourth quarter. The lead is too big. Kobe Bryant is gonna finish with 50+ in only 3 quarters. How high can he fly tonight though? 40 seconds left. 56 points for Kobe. 18-foot jumper. It rattles in. Ref calls a foul. Kobe to the line with 58. Hits the free throw, for an 18 foot and-1 for points 57, 58, and 59. 20 seconds left. Kobe rises with 5 seconds left for a three point swish. The buzzer goes off. He heads to the bench, where he will remain for the rest of the night. Won't see another minute of playing time. Through three quarters: Kobe 62 - Mavericks 61.

So Kobe finishes with 62 in the game, 30 in the 3rd quarter; the Lakers finish with the win; and Lakers fans finish having seen one of the best offensive assaults ever. But, it also leaves them with this taste of curiosity. Because, it only took Kobe about 33 minutes. What would have happened? What would have happened if Kobe plays the last 12 minutes? Would he have gone for 80 like Lakers commentator Stu Lantz jokes about in the second quarter? Or maybe 90. Could he have broken Wilt's record? Nobody knows. But Mr. Stu will become the ultimate foreshadower, because a month later Kobe will go for 80. 81 to be exact. Second greatest scoring game ever. And yet Laker fans, and fans everywhere, are wondering...

Could he have had more back in December? One thing to think about. When Kobe scored 81, he didn't have 62 points until there was only 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter. It took a half a quarter longer that day. So 90 certainly wasn't impossible for Kobe that day. Far from it, actually. It seems incredibly possible.

Which leaves you to wonder. Which game was more impressive? Think of it this way: What if Kobe fouls out with 62 in the game he scores 81? Which game would you say was more impressive? What if he finishes with 62 points in both games?

Let us know which game you though was more impressive and why, and you might end up on the Best Comments page.

-Gunner

The Meaning of the MVP

The most prized individual award in the NBA, the Maurice Podoloff trophy, is given to the player who throughout the season displayed his skills the best, and meant the most to his team. Or is given to the player with a big name that has done better than other big names in the league? Let's break M.V.P. down. Most Valuable Player, I know, is the meaning of that acronym, but what does that mean? It means out of EVERYBODY you have the most value to your team or any team. 




Which got me thinking, what if the NBA just restarted? And all of the players were free agents. In pickup game style, what if by luck the Milwaukee Bucks get the first pick? Who is David Stern walking to the podium to announce first? Is it a big name? Wade? James? Bryant? Rose? Howard? Nowitzki? Or will it be a secondary star name in the NBA? Gay? Deng? Odom? Boozer? Love? Allen? Or a bottom feeder like Anthony Tolliver? Obviously, you and me both know that the first pick will not be Tolliver. But he, like other names are up for grabs big and small in this situation. 


Here's the scenario, the only way to truly see who the Most Valuable is, what if next season the NBA reboots, and all the names are up for grabs? (Based on records right now let's say that Washington gets the first pick) Who do they choose? Well it depends on what kind of style they want to play. Also, the type of player they need to fulfill their desired style. Do they want a team that plays a half-court style, then they will choose the best floor general which is Chris Paul. If you want a up tempo, showtime-like offense, then you choose speed and strength, in Derrick Rose, or Lebron James. Do you want to build around one player? Then you would want a scorer, who can score at will. You can't go wrong with Bryant, or Durant, or Anthony. But would picking any one of those 6 First Overall make them the Most Valuable Player? Technically yes, it would, because they were picked first out of everyone. But with that big variable of what do you prefer in a player, still in the picture, how can you say that he is the Most Valuable? Sure, you think that way but what if another team got first pick, do you think they would pick the same person? I don't. So can the MVP really be one league wide player? Or is the MVP different for every team? A half court team like the Mavericks would think it's Chris Paul. A fast break team like the Warriors might think it's Steve Nash or LeBron James. The point is, the MVP isn't universal. It's different for everybody, every franchise, every team. Nobody thinks the same, so the MVP could really go to different people every year. Right?


Please comment and give feedback, I will respond back to all no matter how brutal. I hope you all enjoyed it.
-Cantrell

Clutch Plays for the Late 10:30PM Games (1/20/12)

First, the Pacers vs Warriors. George Hill comes up big with the steal and then the And-One Layup.



Then, after not leading since 2-0 in the first quarter, Ricky Rubio hits a clutch three to tie it which sets up Mr. Double Double himself, The Love Machine, Kevin Love.




Crazy night for the two 10:30 PM games, sometimes it pays to not sleep.

No Player from a Big 3 Should Ever Be MVP

A new trend is starting to appear in the NBA. The formation of Big 3's is becoming the norm around the league. The Celtics brought Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to Boston to team up with Paul Pierce. It was a super team, and it brought Boston a title in 2008. Then the Heat infamously did it with LeBron James leaving Cleveland with "The Decision". The Knicks did it for a year, bringing Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Chauncey Billups together. The Clippers have found recent success (yes, the Clippers..success) by teaming up Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Chauncey Billups. The teams are fun to watch, they win games, and they've brought new interest from the fans. These teams have some of the best records in the league. Though they aren't completely unaffected by injury to one of their superstars, they certainly are much more equipped to deal with the injury of an All-Star. The Big 3's have changed the league, and while some say it's not fair, it's here to stay so we might as well write a post about it.

So let's start looking at the Big 3 concept. Most would say that Boston was the trendsetter. But they were far from the first. Back in the 70's, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West teamed up for the Lakers. The Lakers of the 80's had a Big 4 with Magic, Kareem, Worthy, and Byron Scott. The Celtics of the 80's had a front court Big 3 with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Finally, the Spurs of the 2000's had Duncan, Ginobli, and Tony Parker. 

Now let me say my (probably) unpopular opinion: No player who plays in a Big 3 should ever win MVP.

Why? Simple:

The MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. This is widely interpreted as, the player who means the most to his team. And that is most often interpreted as the player whose team would fall apart the most if he wasn't on the team. But..that's exactly the opposite of what a Big 3 is all about. The Big 3 concept is about bringing three guys together so that one guy doesn't have to do it all. The MVP is about one guy doing it all. Those can't match up though. It's impossible. 

Consider this: The Miami Heat (the most powerful Big 3 in the league) are playing a game. LeBron James tears a pectoral. He's out for the rest of the year. What happens? Do they tailspin to the bottom of the standings? Do they fall out of playoff contention? No. No they absolutely do not. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh take over. Dwyane Wade has already proved that he can win a championship as long as he has a good big man. Chris Bosh has proved he can thrive when King James and Prince Wade are out (33 Pts, 14 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk in one game without them). Take any one of those guys out, and the other 2 step up. That's the magic, and ultimately MVP-killing, quality of the Big 3. No one guy is most valuable. It's like an assembly line, every part comes together and no one part is more or less important than any other. If you're going to give one person in the Big 3 the MVP, you have to give it to all of them.

That creates a bit of a hole for MVP candidates. With a large percentage of the league's superstars flocking to places to play together in Big 3's, you have to look a little bit harder to find the MVP. Because it eliminates all of these superstars from MVP Contention: 

Boston: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett (and maybe even Rajon Rondo)

Miami: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh

Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Blake Griffin

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudamire

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph

San Antonio: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker

If none of those guys can win the MVP, honestly, who can?

The best players in the league who are not part of a Big 3 are (in my opinion):

Kobe Bryant

Dwight Howard

Kevin Love

Kevin Durant

Derrick Rose

LaMarcus Aldridge (surprise candidate of the year)

Dirk Nowitzki

Monta Ellis

Steph Curry

All of these guys are doing it (when compared to a player from a Big 3) alone. But are they? 

Kobe has Bynum and Gasol. Durant has Westbrook and Harden. Nowitzki has Kidd, Terry, even Odom. Ellis and Curry have each other. Which leaves four players:

Dwight Howard, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, and LaMarcus Aldridge.

The Magic without Howard would fall apart. They would have no inside game and no athleticism. The Wolves without Love would have to call Michael Beasley their best player, and he's incredibly inconsistent. Derrick Rose's Bulls have already proved they wouldn't fall apart without him, as they currently have a 2-1 record whens he's out. And the Blazers without Aldridge are nowhere near their surprising great start this year.

Which is why I hope more than anything that MVP voters this year do not give their vote to a Big 3 player, because one of those three guys (not Rose) deserves it more than anyone else. 

-Gunner