2013 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS PREVIEW BY QUETT WALKER

       

The NBA playoffs are here!! The NBA playoffs are here!!

After a very exciting season, the teams are set for their first round matchups. Let’s start by previewing the 4 Eastern Conference matchups.

Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks 

Every year there is always a series in the first round that could result in a sweep and this matchup between the Heat and Bucks has the most potential to result in just that.

The Heat have been able to win the season series 3 -1 and although we all know that games in the playoffs and season possess totally different intensities and level of play, the season is a good indicator to see exactly how the two teams fare against each other.

This past season, Miami has achieved the amazing accomplishment of going on a 27 game winning streak, second highest in NBA history. Not only has Lebron James turned into a superhuman freak during this streak but the role players have had to step up on a number of occasions and this has no doubt boosted their confidence and the overall team morale.

The Milwaukee Bucks have not been in the playoffs since 2010 and have returned after having a decent season due to the great guard play of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis and the emergence of centre Larry Sanders. Solid play from power forward Ersan İlyasova and the addition of J.J. Redick at the trade deadline in February has ensured that the Bucks have returned to the playoffs. 

Although the Bucks have the better point guard and centre in Brandon Jennings and Larry Sanders (two weaknesses of the Heat) and have played Miami very tough during the season, the Heat have the deeper team and more playoff and championship experience. There is absolutely no doubt that Miami will be favoured to win this series as the Bucks just don’t have the talent to deny the Heat entry to the second round. 

Anything less than repeating as NBA champions will be considered a failure for the Miami Heat. 

Miami Heat win 4-0

New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics 

This series will definitely be the most entertaining in the East due to the rivalry of these two teams which dates back to the 1950s. 

The Knicks made their return to the playoffs in 2011 after failing to qualify for 7 straight years. The Celtics swept the Knicks 4-0 in the first round of 2011 playoffs making it the second series sweep for the Knicks as they were also swept in the first round of the 2004 playoffs by the New Jersey Nets.

In both these situations the Knicks were the lower ranked seed. This time around the Knicks are the 2^nd seed in the conference Eastern conference. 

Carmelo Anthony has elevated his play to a superstar level which has not only seen him win the scoring champion title this season but also has put his team in a position to advance past the first round since 2000 NBA playoffs. Veterans such as Jason Kidd, Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler have added leadership and toughness to the team while role players such as JR Smith, Steve Novak and Kenyon Martin make up a solid bench that enables the Knicks to compete with the elite in the league. 

The Boston Celtics possess a wealth of championship swagger and experience that will definitely need to be tapped into if they want to advance in the playoffs, especially with the absence of their All Star point guard Rajon Rondo. The Celtics’ performance has been up and down this season but their play has been decent enough for them to make the playoffs. They have veteran leadership in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, good role players in Jason Terry, Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley and a potential all-star in Jeff Green who has shown flashes of great play in the second half of the season. 

The Knicks definitely have the deeper and younger team however the Celtics have a more experienced and physical team as their players have been together longer and play more tenacious defense. The Knicks have the edge with this matchup as the ageing legs of Boston and the inconsistent play of Kevin Garnett maybe issues too great for the Celtics to overcome.

We all cannot forget the ‘Honey Nut Cheerios’ debacle at the Garden earlier this year. Allegedly, during a game Kevin Garnett apparently told Carmelo Anthony that his wife LaLa ‘tasted like Honey Nut Cheerios’. This infuriated Carmelo Anthony which threw him off of his game and allowed the Celtics to win that night. That same alleged statement led to Carmelo Anthony attempting to confront Garnett at the team bus outside the arena later that night which resulted in Carmelo Anthony getting a one game suspension from the NBA. There is no doubt this is still in the mind of Anthony and will be extra motivation to beat the Celtics. 

Knicks win 4 - 2

Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls 

Both of these teams are evenly matched in this series. 

The Brooklyn Nets made one of the biggest splashes with their cash in the offseason by securing Deron Williams to a big contract, resigning Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace and making a trade for Joe Johnson. In addition their centre Brook Lopez has raised his performance this year which saw him earn an all-star berth. The Nets have also done a very good job with surrounding Williams and Lopez with solid role players. As a result the Nets have started off the season very well but slumped a bit until they were able to pick up their performance once they fired Avery Johnson and replaced him with PJ Carlesimo. 

This Brooklyn team is better than a lot of people think.

The biggest questions surrounding the Bulls as they begin their playoff run is whether or not Derrick Rose will make any sort of on court appearance in the playoffs. Chicago has had to weather the storm during the season due to the absence of their superstar point guard and have surprised many at how well they have performed. No one would have expected the Bulls to be seeded 5^th in the Eastern conference this season.

Although this Bulls team is not as deep as they were last year, they still have amazing front court in Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, a good point guard in Kirk Hinrich and a spark plug off the bench in Nate Robinson. 

As these two teams are evenly matched, it could really go either way as to who advances to the second round. However the Bulls have more chemistry and cohesion as they have been together longer as a team since most of the players on the Nets have only been assembled this past season. Deron Williams will have an advantage at the point guard position over Nate Robinson and Kirk Hinrich, unless Derrick Rose comes back. However Brook Lopez will have his hands full up front dealing with Noah and Boozer.

Due to their tenacious defense, the cohesion that exists between the players as a result of their past playoff experience and their tough minded coach, the edge will have to go to the Bulls in this matchup.

Bull wins 4 – 2

Indiana Pacers vs Atlanta Hawks

This series is probably the least interesting matchup in the East.

Both of these teams have experienced inconsistent play towards the end of the season. The Indiana Pacers were seeded 2^nd a few weeks ago but have dropped to the 3^rd seed while the Atlanta Hawks dropped from the 5^th seed to the 6^th seed.

The Indiana Pacers can attribute their season success to their small forward Paul George who has performed at a level this season that saw him get his first All-star berth. Also Roy Hibbert and David West round out their front court and with their defensive prowess and outstanding offensive abilities they pose a great threat to their opponents’ big men. Other players such as George Hill, Tyler Hansbrough, Lance Stephenson and Gerald Green provide contributions which makes the Pacers a solid team.

The Atlanta Hawks have been in the playoffs for the 6^th consecutive year now after being absent for the previous 9 years. The Hawks have managed to reach the second round but have yet to go beyond that. Although this team has achieved some sort of success in the playoffs, they have been gradually declining as they have shown inconsistencies on the defense end and droughts in scoring. This puts doubt into whether this ball club has what it takes to compete with contenders in the eastern conference. 

Their best player is Josh Smith whose talents and athletic ability make it very difficult for other teams to match up against him. Al Horford is an undersized centre but is effective and Jeff Teague is a young talented point guard that has a bright future. Kyle Korver, Devin Harris and Deshawn Stevenson are decent role players but will they have enough to combat against the role players of Indiana. 

The Pacers are younger, more talented and a deeper team than the Atlanta Hawks. They have a bigger front court and the Hawks do not have anyone who can match up against Paul George. Although the Pacers are without Danny Granger due to injury they are still a dangerous team and will most likely still win this series.

Pacers win 4 - 1

THE KOBE SERIES-DEAR KOBE

An Open Letter To Kobe Bryant.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Dear Kobe.

This is for you. Thank you. Now I would love to claim to be your biggest fan but then I would be discrediting the love you receive from all sorts of devoted fans all over the globe. I'm an NBA fan who bleeds purple and gold. One who often wonders which M.J. was the greatest of all time when it came to sports like those who swear by the king of pop (R.I.P.). Still, your closer than you think. The story of my love for this game and your game is a special one. Here it goes...

You grew up in Europe. You know how it is! I sit writing this in an internet cafe in my hometown in England, thinking of how you grew up in Italy dribbling with your hands while everyone else was doing it with their feet. I know you love soccer, but like your first love I love basketball and when it comes to sport I havent looked back since. While everyone else in my country was watching the Premier League my heavy, 2 in the morning eyelids where focussed on basketball and again you know how it is. Television coverage, before cable and League Passes (which not everyone including myself can afford) was seldom. Sure it was Michael Jordan who got me into basketball, him and his Chicago Bulls team, but I never really saw them play until I went to the video libary. He was a legend, you where the reality.

Standing their with that 'fro, that smile and those sunglasses, next to that big fella. Complete with a new stadium and uniform set that shined brighter than the Californian sun in Los Angeles, but not your chances. I saw purple and gold ticker tape fall as you leapt into Shaquille O'Neal's arms on my television set a million miles away. The kid from the small seaside town saw a team that ruled the Pacific do it again three times over before, he had to get a closer look. That's when I made the trip, halfway through my sebatcle year in Toronto, Canada (shout out to the T-Dot, 81 right?!) in 2006. I had a few weeks left before I returned home for Christmas, I was close, but not that close. Still, it didn't matter I made that flight to LAX. What I thought would be just in time to catch the Lakers/Clippers what we here call a derby at STAPLES...but then lost luggae happened and I missed THE game. Still, I got to meet former player Walt McCarty at the airport and strike up a conversation which six years later led to an interview. America and life is crazy.

Still, when I got my things back and went to the heart of the city, the first thing I did with the new day was visit downtown Los Angeles. There after an hour long coach ride I saw the STAPLES Centre for the first time in it's metal and glass flesh and it was like seeing one of America's greatest landmarks for me. In my mind the Hollywood sign couldnt compare. Nothing could. I made my way to the ticket booth and asked what games where playing this week (I already knew), the attendee told me about the 5 games over the week (I had planned it perfectly). He asked me which ones I wanted. I looked at all my saved up cash..."all of them"!

Then I got to see all the dunks, fade-away's, steals and smiles for real. I couldn't take my eyes off the court...and I'm a big Jack Nicholson fan. It was December. Remember you went down with an injury in the week. I thought 'what luck', but then against the odds you came back to beat the San Antonio Spurs, tongue out with the dunk. Just when I saved the best seats in the house for last. What a trip! What a week! You came back. The I did four years later (it felt like home)...and I know you will, 6 or 9 months later. Is this the end? Nah! I mean I know you, I've grown up with you. Father time never. Face time more like. Time to get those iPhone's and Instagram ready. I just feel sorry for the bear.

You see I had to put it all down in writing, like I've done time and time about you. Almost to the point where it's become a little strange (but hey, I'm a sportswriter). 'The Kobe Series' followed 'The Jordan Series' as I tried to hash-tag the range of articles I've wrote about you to spread the love, just like you joining Twitter. You can always 'Count On Kobe'. I can't thank you enough, writing about you on your birthday (the article 'Thirtysomething') got me my first gig with SLAM Magazine's online site. How can I thank you for that? Your passion, fuelled mine and turned it into work and success. Then came Dime Magazine's 'Laker Nation' blog and who knows what next. From speaking to the likes of Scoop Jackson (he has his own letter), James Worthy on Christmas, your boys Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Earl Clark, Kareem Rush, A.C. Green and even the likes of Spike Lee, Tyrese and Vin Diesel. This life is crazy, but it all started with you. The love of my life even see's it, and she prefers her sports with four wheels. It's all love.

"Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise," remember?! Don't hate this I'm not writing this article like this is it. This is no goodbye letter. Six to nine months is a long time and I may have wooried that you may never come back but I know the Kareem rocking chair has to wait. Besides you've just overtaken Wilt when no one thought you could. Who's next? Even the King LeBron knows the throne may be his, but it's not his league yet. You retire when you say you do. As those so called better players get wheelchaired off the court with lesser injurys (ouch!), you rip your achilles apart (it's amost a fitting injury for the player closest to 'God'), make two free-throws and walk off like you where just taking a Gatorade break. Maybe you are.

You've come back from things more flagrant. Won MVP's with a broken nose, become a phantom menace with the mask, showed ESPN this former number 8 is better than 7th place. There's still venom in this Mamba. The Vino is still getting better with age. You shouldn't worry...everyone else should. You're good, matter of fact you're great. That's what makes you legendary. I've got you like Dwight, Pau, Steve and Metta have. I'll see you again, maybe in L.A., and I'll write again and it won't be a history piece. It'll be a piece where you make history. 'The Kobe Series' will still play and you'll still come back with avengance. Besides it's just one more ring you want right? This is no book end. This is the start of the next chapter of your career. The story continues. Now how do you want to write it?

Yours Sincerely,

Tim David Harvey

THE LeBRON SERIES-GAME OF THRONES

Spaldings Will Roll.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Watch the throne, LeBron James took it last year and is sitting in it with all the kings men. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Shane Battier and the rest of the Miami Heat soldiers battling to keep their NBA crown firmly on their heads and the shores of their South Beach talents for not one, not two, not three, but more years. There may be quests from the West and more beasts in the East, but down south looks to be the home of the spirit of Larry O'Brien for the next decade or dynasty. Whatever you want to call it. In this game of thrones, its LeBron James empire.

Sure rocks may be thrown at the throne, like they where witnessed being hurled into billboards in Cleveland. Still even Cavalier efforts and blowout leads are burnt away by LeBron James like the embers of his number 23, wine and gold jersey. Now the champagne and the shine belongs to the number six of the Heat, as he looks to change the game like Julius, just what the good basketball doctor ordered. The man who put up Oscar Robertson numbers in his rookie game, is looking for Kobe and the other 23, M.J. figures in his veteran years. By the time his jersey is retired he'll be standing on the stilts of Wilt and Kareem giant numbers. 100 proof, this scoring machine and Earvin Johnson like all round playmaker is magic.

Whether playing point, shooting, or running the small forward position with the bulk strength of a power player, this guy could run track. With quarterback, strength and vision his trademark, Thor strong hammer dunks almost look like touchdowns. Sorry Thunder, Oklahoma City may have to wait awhile for a championship. Same for you Carmelo and as for all of Kobe's men...right now they look to clipped to be a contending superstar team. Marvel at this, the NBA's leading avenger has formed Voltron and no Kryptonite could stop this superteam from D.C. to Gotham City.

You'd straight have to take this guys head off to stop this Lord Of The Rings like that guy from THAT T.V. show. We aren't advising you do that though, besides critics have tried and failed. In the glow of the kings shining success (that doesn't sleep just like that preacher said) all the brands they try and force on him just meet hot water. With the chosen one forged on his back, a song of fire in his heart and ice in his veins, this warrior will still fight until his Jay-Z throne of the NBA is taken from him and with an Empire State Of Mind that doesn't look to be happening anytime soon. As the chalk is tossed in the air before the ball even does the same, the tip belongs to the crown of the King. When the chalk goes up, the opponents become dust. You don't even have to wait for the final horn.

So saddle up the horses because it's time for battle. The war of the playoffs are on the horizon and you can bet the finals chapter of the 2012/2013 NBA season will belong to the story of MVP. Nobody looks to touch the robe, especially with an army of talent around him who refuse to ride his coat-tails. Like the would be king Wade or the beast that is Bosh. If that big three wasn't enough then there's Battier defending the throne or Mike Miller's bows and Ray Allen shooting Hawkeye arrows like a ray-gun. All of Spo's men, look slicker then Pat Riley's hair. The king isn't afraid to take off his jewels and get down to battling either, not resting on his laurels. Leading his team into battle and fighting through it all like he was still being treated like a pauper.

Now THAT is the deciding factor to why this man is the king. For every Bruce Springsteen there is an Elvis Presley, and for every Michael Jordan there is a LeBron James. This is the American dream and LeBron is lining it without the televised reality show. This is as real as it gets. The lion is uncaged and enraged but regal, awaiting his royal appointment with the crown jewel. The palace that LeBron rebuilt is a fortress and it's going to take a nation of millions to hold back the former public enemy number one. No feast for crows or dance for dragons here. A storm of swords or the winds of winter against the South Beach Heat could not clash with this kings dream of spring. In the church of the wild and in this castle there doesn't look to be a death of a dynasty anytime soon. Long live the king.

DeANDRE JORDAN Feature-OUTKAST

DeAndre Three Stacks.


By TIM DAVID HARVEY

When MVP candidate and leading Point Guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers descends down court he has a lot of options at his disposal if he doesn't feel like scoring himself. To his left you might find leading scorer and 'Sixth Man Of The Year' runner Jamal Crawford, to his right defensive maestro and underrated offensive talent Caron Butler. Then there's the rest of the other former Laker STAPLES on the 'other' side of L.A. (Chris Paul was a Laker for albeit two minutes and about two tweets), guys like Lamar Odom, Matt Barnes and Ronny Turiaf. Figure in fellows like Eric Bledose, Willie Green and the rest of the 'Tribe Called Bench' on a quest for the ring, or valuable veterans like Grant Hill and Chauncey Billups coming back into play. Then of course there's arguably the most exciting and entertaining offensive dunker and rim rocker around, the monster known as Blake Griffin.

Still sometimes Paul may toss the ball and the alley in the air and find the oop of a guy that looks like he's dunking over entire teams and courts, not just Brandon Knight. A big man with Nike like air taking the wind out of Pistons, opponents sails and sneakers as he soars and scores a simple two made beautiful in the form of an ugly dunk. This signet has become a swan. The former passed up draft pick (35th?!) and bust labeled guy is taking it all out on the critics like his former joked on team is taking it out on Los Angeles and the league. Hyland is taking the high road, no more D-League dunks, no Bakersfield Jam. Just check out the famous three tiers of Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles across from the STAPLES Centre, which is now just as much the Clippers home as it is the Lakers. Even the spirit of Chick Hearn can see it from his street. They aren't Lakers players up there. It's Chris Paul flanked by Blake Griffin and the other guy cleared for take off in Lob City...DeAndre Jordan.

"incredible physical specimen", <  "not productive",

All together now, even Kobe can see from his Nikes that DeAndre 3000 is no outcast. He belongs here like his Clippers team in the Laker building that now needs to add a Clippers Pacific Division banner to the Shaquille O'Neal's retired jersey and the rest of the purple and gold rafters. Dropping bombs over basketball in this battle of Los Angeles the love that below is now booming like a Speakerbox in this shared collection. This big boy is more than big dunks. A 20 and 10 prototype who raises the spirits more than 'Hey Ya'! Hey young world, shake those polaroid pictures and instagram those iPhone ones. If basketball is beauty then I think I'm in love again.

"defensive potential", < "poor fundamentals",

With a hustlers blood and shutterbug feet in the blood and bruised paint, each royal flush from DeAndre breaks his opponents. Soaring like Jordan, vibrating the rim and slamming like Shaq, Phil Jackson would be proud if he was back in L.A. Sorry Mr. Jackson the Clippers are for real. The won't apologize a thousand times even if they didn't mean to make anyone cry. Just look at the backboard, somethings got to give with the way this guy moves the rim, flip rocking the rock with boom from the tomb. In this war of L.A. with shine blockers on the former shade cool Laker side, Andre's no bust, waking up a former broken Clipperland like a rooster. It's night, night for the catcalls and the Clipperholics former sorrows. These beats by Dre sound good beyond the references.

"incredible upside", < "mediocre footwork",

There's more to this art of storytelling, Laker Hollywood divorce however like there's more to this rebounding and defensive specialists game then top ten dunks and punks 'stank you' very much. Be cool, here's 'Part Two'. A day in the life of DeAndre Jordan is complete with hustle and flow and the hard work that puts his blue collar name in the households of his famous roll call of Hollywood teammates as he rolls with his four brothers in a town that has too many stars and basketball teams. Through all the music, movies and Laker legacy howeverthe mighty D may be the most entertaining. Don't listen to the critics 'vicious lies and dangerous rumors', just watch as this boy ascends and descends from the basket. He's got the shoes for running and the raspberry blowing dunks that do tremendous damage to the naysayers. The apple of the Clippers eye is like a CPU out there, he's that techincally good down the lines.Y'all scared to what this guy can do, as he rises like elevators. Me and you, your mama and your daddy too. They could all get it when the ball is raised to the rim in De's hands as flashbulbs and corn pops courtside.

 "high bust potential",<

We all thought it'd be Dwight Howard or at least Blake Griffin provoking this reaction. It almost makes no sense at all but the whole world is watching another Jordan now when it comes to the peaches. It 'Aint No Thang' for Dre Jordan though and his liberation. So fresh and so clean. Shawn Kemp aggression, with a better attitude. Kenyon Martin rawness with basketball purity. It's almost poetic. How the roses are all for De' here with little for the rest of his star-studded, much loved and talented Clipper side. Still in this players ball it's DeAndre Jordan that has 'git up and got something' and ignited the gasoline of the dreams of the other side of Californian roundball. Last year this excited young kid, in his sweats and warm ups, warmly hugged Blake Griffin on the stars cover shoot for 'Dime' magazine. Now with his star brothers back, the posters and the billboards belong to him and his team. Next come the payoffs and the playoffs. DeAndre will be leading the way. Number one with a dunk.

"freakish athlete",>

THE LEBRON SERIES-THE NUMBER 23

Streaking Talents From South Beach To Ohio.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

You all know the script. The revolution was televised. Two years back, decisions where made and talents where taken. Some to South Beach and some for granted. Tears of frustration where shed in Ohio, ones of joy in Miami. Billboards fell as Voltron was formed. Rocks where thrown from all sorts of angels. Fans, critics, some of the greatest players of all time. Even with a new group of 'Superfriends', the king had to watch the throne for a year as Dallas proved they where the real Mavericks of the NBA. That was until this seasons past. Our Iron-Man had his Avenger year with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Now the MVP and champion and number 6 for the Miami Heat, LeBron James has nothing left to prove. He just has a legacy to make...his legend is set.

Still there's no stopping the former number 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers as he and his new side are on the winning streak of their lives. 27 games and counting, with Jerry West even betting they can best his Lakers 33 game burst. No wonder the 6th sense of the NBA is drawing comparisons to the original 23, Michael Jordan. Sure Kobe's career is better all-time and Kevin Durant is the next one but as of right now it's LeBron James, time and tide. He is the best active player right now. It's his league. Still as we begin 'The LeBron Series' to go along with our 'The Jordan Series' and 'The Kobe Series' trilogy, let's look at the number 23. This is no joke, no Jim Carrey film. Yes man, this is serious. It all connects, like Jordan's influence and basketball's inspiration.

Last week LeBron and his white hot heat hit the road with a winning streak of 23 games. This is where their talents where taken to Cleveland, Ohio, where number 6 came back home to a place where his number 23 jersey was burned to the ashes with his decision departure not one, but two years back. LeBron knows what these people did two Summers back...because he knew what he did to them. Hurt feelings, bitter rage, bloody Tarantino delicious sub-plots everywhere. It was all set up to be the match-up of the moment for NBA TV. The former number 23 came back to town with a winning streak of 23 games. It looked like the sick-note, Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Anderson Varejao less Cavs wouldn't stand a chance.

Still, you can't doubt the heart of a Cavalier, especially a hurt and down-trodden one. It all looked like revenge was about to be a dish served up on the Twitter feeds, as Cleveland cooled off the hot Heat. Everyone from the friend you follow to Stephen A. Smith, couldn't believe it as the hash tags and the hate was at the ready. LeBron and his boys where down 27, days before they extended their streak to 27. How strange would it be if it was 23? The Cleveland Cavs looked to blow-out Miami quickly at the Quicken Loans Arena. They had the King and his subjects on the ropes, but like Ali, the greatest came back swinging. Before their eyes, LeBron put the Cavs to bed before the lights where out.

Chick Hearn could see the jello cooling in the fridge. The heat caught lightening and struck down and bottled up their greatest nemesis of recent times. This is why LeBron James is the MVP and his Miami Heat team the NBA champions.With all respect to the valiant Cavaliers their former number one pick and his top team where just too, damn much. Going forth into the final quarter, Miami where still down by nine, but LeBron's 11 of Miami's first 12 then extinguished the blow-out. With a game-high, MVP, triple-double, legendary line of 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists 'Bron erased Cleveland's greatest lead and what could have been their greatest moment of all time. Clevaland could have proved a point and truly showed their one-time King the door, but in the end like Jay-Hova, the takeover belonged to Jay-Z's best basketball friend. As an excited Cavs fan raced on court with a t-shirt reading 'We Miss You. 2014, Come Back', it said it all. As did LeBron's non-reaction. It's not all hate in Cleveland. Some just want their former love back.

Still LeBron took his talents, team and new 50 plus day winning streak back to Miami, where the team look to make history on their way to another championship, by way of breaking a few more records. With Kobe's new super Lakers team, recovering from a similar first-season slump, all roads look clear for the formidable Florida foundation of LeBron and company. Oklahoma are close and the beats of the East, including former rival New York are better than ever, but really no one looks like they could even touch the hem of the King's Heat shorts. They may be close but it's no 23, M.J., victory cigar. The crown and the throne isn't for the taking...it's his. All Cleveland can do is watch. they shouldn't have made him mad (like he did them). It's personal now and it's a problem. Now the only solution looks like LeBron adding another ring to his finger. The rest of the league can kiss their hopes goodbye. The hot streak looks like it's only going to be cooled off by champagne. Next rounds on you LeBron. Here's to you.

THE JORDAN SERIES-SWEET CAROLINA

The First Shot.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

(The latest in 'The Jordan Series' and part three of our trilogy that started with 'Money'-Ball' and '45', also a prequel to our first Michael Jordan piece 'The (Real) Last Shot')

"I knew the magnitude of the game, but I didn't fully comprehend what it meant. It was 1982 and I was a Freshman at North Carolina".-Michael Jordan From 'For The Love Of The Game'.

Let's take it back. Back before the championships and the MVP's, the legend and the legacy. Let's take it back before Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time in the NBA. Let's take it back to the NCAA college days. Where a star was born when Kobe and LeBron where just pee-wee basketball tall kids. Before Michael donned a Chicago Bulls jersey (or even before he wore a Washington Wizards one or a baseball one) with the number 23 (or 45) he was gifted with a North Carolina baby blue and white one. Before Scottie Pippen and 'The Worm' Dennis Rodman where his teammates, Sam Perkins and 'Big Game' James Worthy where. Before Phil Jackson and Doug Collins (twice) where his coaches, Dean Smith was once. Before Patrick Ewing was a great rival in New York he was one in Georgetown. Before he made out of this air making deals with sneaker companies bearing his name this Converse baller had tar on his heels. Before Nike turned him into a symbol, this basketball king was a prince in his formerly known college years. It was all made with a made shot that sent North Carolina and it's young star to the Cinderella stories of basketball history.

Number 23-15 Footer-Left Wing-Right Time-Spare Change Seconds-MONEY.

My sweet Carolina that was a sweet shot that carried them home. The kid out of Brooklyn moved to Wilmington, North Carolina with his family to look to cut down nets in college. Daydreaming of hitting the winning shot and the first of many clutch, greatest hit numbers of his life, his dad James knew he would do it like he dreamed of his son playing baseball. Some things where just meant to be. Like Mike-now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats-moving back to North Carolina this week in a mansion where his money and basketball making dreams began. The now 50 year old and leader of the NBA's top 50 built a basketball house during his home dorm time in N.C.

From a toddler to taking giant sneaker steps this Brooklyn born boy was raised in Carolina and on the basketball playgrounds was where he spent most of his days. At Emsley A. Laney High, Mike played baseball, football and basketball at school. Still, by the time college called it was clear which of the Holy Trinity of American sports the God of hoop dreams would choose. Still, can you believe this 5 foot 11 kid was deemed to small to play with the big boys? Can you believe this greatest basketball player ever got cut? Then again this is a world where Sam Bowie is taken higher than you in the draft. It's a crazy world. One that in the 1990's Michael owned...but it all started it the late eighties.

A kid so competitive he would keep his dorm mate up all night until he won a game of Monopoly. If you thought he was a late night nightmare on the board game, wait until he got on the boards of the hardwood floor come prime-time, game-time. There was no playing around there, these are the beginning accounts of how Money would eventually become big business. It was more than dollars, it was a basketball sixth sense that invoked even higher spirits in those face-painted, brass band players. A chorus of North Carolina cheers, led by the pied piper of basketball and fellow later icon to Chicago like R. Kelly. Before 'Space Jam', Mike believed he could fly and take this game out of this world. You hadn't seen nothing yet folks.

The All-American put up McDonalds numbers in High School, (29.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.1 assists) making everyone else look elementary like my dear Watson. Before over a billion where served in the big leagues, M.J. majored in cultural geography before redefining another one all around the world. From a junior, to a sophomore and then the freshest prince of freshman Michael Jordan's three years in college made him a star in the making for a formidable future like the other M.J.'s, Magic Johnson or Michael Jackson and it was a trick shot out of the bag at the end of a fourth quarter thriller that made Air rise above them all.

More than the prestigious Naismith and Wooden awards. More than the prolific 17.7 points per on 54.0% shooting, and 5.0 rebounds per game came a night in history which the greatest describes as the major turning point of his basketball career. NOT his college career, BUT his basketball one. Before Chicago, before Nike, before Larry O'Brien and before the hall came the college corridors of young American dream making fame. Before all that came a pass he received on the right wing with 15 feet and even less seconds to go. A perfect fluid rise of a prototype shot for a perfect wet jumper from basketballs ultimate figure, kissing the trailing net as this young kid back pedaled-as Ewing's Georgetown (like his Knicks) backed-down-with the same confidence that would define his shrugging, smiling and sometimes finger-wagging career.

Before Mike downed Byron Russell and the Utah Jazz for his last Chicago championship winning shot of NBA history, Jordan drained a defining final one of NCAA legacy in college. More than a game ending winning shot. More than a Georgetown goodbye. This was the start of something. Something that at the time only Michael and his proud father James Jordan watching could see before all eyes where on him. It all started here. The first shot.

"Your life will never be the same after that shot. Your life is going to change son".-James Jordan.

THE KOBE SERIES-VINO

Better With Age.


By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Somewhere in past times in the heart of Italy a young mix of European flair and the things American dreams are made of is growing and fermenting between good food and soccer skills. Decades later after ageing for 16 years, through championships and father time, a death of a dynasty and a whirlwind of Hall Of Fame personnel, the one thing that stands the test of time in all its potency and purity is Vino. Vino being Kobe Bryant's new nickname, lapped up by him pouring through his new Twitter feeds to find a fan who understands the final chapter of his career just as well as he does.

Getting even better with age, the former eight wonder of the world, wearing the number 24 still has venom in those Black Mamba fangs. It's venom tinted with vino for a deadly but tempting taste. Cold blood red seeping out of the Celtic green bottle to purple and gold coronation. Sure these days it's LeBron's bubbly stung tear winning league and Jordan comparisons, but the only one who could ever even come close to the 'money'-ball ballpark of the greatest is Kobe 'Vino' Bryant. Still crushing opponents like grapes, still always going down smoothly like Burgundy scotch. Even if his Hall Of Fame, dream team turned nightmare teammates are playing like champagne pretenders instead of contenders.

Shaq and Kobe part two but with just the arguments. World Peace in a world war. Gasol on the bench and Steve Nash on the last quarters of his career. No Phil Jackson. No Derek Fisher. No hope against Oklahoma. No playoffs even? We'd love to say no problem but Laker family Kobe has 99 problems right now, but at least a bitch of a downside of a career 'aint one for the Jay-Z of the league. Even if this hero is watching the throne from a Hawkeye Avenger distance. The dark knight will rise again. Age won't water this guys talent down. He's playing like he's been kept in a cellar for years now just waiting to be uncorked to get it popping. Now left to breathe through the bad times he's ready to take his team from the cellars and the basements of the Western conference to the royal box and high-rises his franchise is used to.

To Kobe. Until Vino is drinking champagne from a glass again. There's a quart of diesel and some Zen blessed in this wine, passed down through the ages. Like the Magic/Mike hybrid way he's played of late, able to switch it up like he's able to fill any statistical category when needed. Making new moments, memories like classic moments of spirited NBA's past. There's memories of 81, that was a good year, like the trifecta of championships, when Kobe, Shaquille and Coach Phil really where the holy trinity of professional basketball. These days the 'afro may be gone, but the hops aren't. Rising like yeast through all the sobering problems Kobe's passion is still a dark red. No rose here, or mild white wine. The Black Mamba will still drink from the reservoir of his talents until his career see's the toast or the roses.

You don't need to hear it from the grapevine that the Lakers are in deep trouble. Elimination trouble. This could be the worst 'best' team ever of things don't change. This isn't like Shaq, Kobe, Payton and Malone. They played through all their troubles...and brilliantly too. Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace must have the bottle to follow their aged and experienced leader through the vines. Times are hard, this is no secret...but Kobe is the truth. 100 proof like vodka, but just a little more classy. Red wine certified. The stuff of prestige. Prestige belongs with NBA royalty not lottery balls.

The American dreams, cultivated in Italy didn't come this far to lose. So as Laker fans are drowning their sorrows at night to all sorts of intoxicants, Kobe remains alive and well through it all, playing some of the best ways in his career during the hardest times. Raising a glass to the memory of the recent dearly departed Dr. Jim Buss (rest peacefully), giving his legacy, the voice of Chick Hearn and the words of Jim Murray hope as they look down with pride. Kobe won't rest until the critics labels wear off and the blood red passion he's given this game results in glasses clicking with celebration. It's not about the past, it's not about the future. It's about right now and right now Vino is still tried and tested, pouring and scoring. Time to let it breathe.