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Around the NBA: Notes and recap

Ongai — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:44:01 +0000

The wait is over as the first two days of the 2009-2010 NBA season is over and done. We saw strong teams get beaten, players coming back (Mr. Arenas!), rookies who don’t play like one and more and more exciting plays. It’s just exciting isn’t it? So here are some of our thoughts from the first two days.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 0-2 after losing to the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. Lebron James has been fantastic in the first two games but we still think that their lineup isn’t that strong this year even with Shaq and new addition Anthony Parker around. The Cavs need to get things together or else…
Gilbert Arenas is back! We know it’s just one game but if you saw how he played he had thing in control on his way to a 29 point game where he had 9 assists. He didn’t record any assists but he shot well,10-21 from the field. It looks like the 2 years did his body good as he tries to revive his career.
We loved Andrew Bynum in his first game where he posted a line of 26 points, 13 rebounds while shooting 9-15 from the field and 8-10 from the line. We have a good feeling that he will stay healthy this year.
The Philadelphia 76ers really had a hard time against the Orlando Magic and we don’t like what we’re seeing with Elton Brand. As for Marreese Speights, this guy really looks like he will battle Samuel Dalembert for minutes and he could end up being their starter by December.
So much for Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy saying that Dwight Howard can hit close to 75% of his free throw attempts. He started the year going 3-6.

The New York Knicks were crushed by the Miami Heat, 115-93 but it’s good to see Danilo Gallinari playing and shooting well. He made 7-13 from downtown and if he becomes consistent enough and hits threes at the end of games, we shall call him, “The Da-ga” (The Dagger).
We actually thought that Jermaine O’neal showed signs of his old self against the Knicks. Well, except that he didn’t block any shot. As long as he’s not hurt and playing, we’re good with that.
Chris Paul didn’t have a steal. That should be news worthy.
The San Antonio Spurs will definitely challenge the Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference title and they can win it.
The Spurs’ DeJuan Blair was a monster on the glass with 11 rebounds in 22 minutes. He also had 14 points.
Who here thinks Minnesota Timberwolves rookie guard Johnny Flynn can help turnaround a franchise? We do! That kid is amazing!
With a stat line of 27 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks, Brook Lopez is making his owners happy after they drafted him as early as the 20th pick. That would be us and we’re really happy with that decision.
Yi Jian Lian came to life against the Timberwolves after two years of being lost. He had 17 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes and he had the best +/- in his team where he a +9.
Corey Brewer struggled offensively throughout the game but his offense came just in time to help the T’Wolves in a comeback victory against the New Jersey Nets. If you can stomach his poor shooting percentages but love his defensive numbers then stick with him. He’ll be fine!
Damien Wilkins made the winning shot at the buzzer but we’re not convinced that he’ll be producing a nice stat line throughout the season.
Steve Nash had 24 points and 8 assists but his lay up with 5 seconds left was the biggest basket of the game. Even if he had 8 assists, we still think he can lead the league this year in that category.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol was the only bright spot on their team with a line of 21 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had a career high 13 assists. Kevin Durant led the team in scoring with 25 points with 11 rebounds.
Congratulations to Omri Casspi for being the first Israel born player to play in the NBA. He actually looked good and we’d love to see him start instead of Desmond Mason. Come on Paul Westphal!
Anthony Randolph only played 10 minutes in the game against the Houston Rockets and this may be because he’s coming off an injury. If not, a lot of Randolph owners will once again be disappointed with Don Nelson’s coaching style.
As for Greg Oden, he struggled offensively especially against smaller Houston Rockets centers but it’s encouraging to see the 5 blocks he had. You’ve got to love him this season..watch out!

These were our thoughts, what about yours? We’d love to hear them.

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Buhaybasketball.com is one of the finalists

Ongai — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:33:06 +0000

Philippine Blog Awards 09

Yes that’s right! We, at buhaybasketball.com, are very pleased to be one of the finalists in the upcoming Philippine blog awards. We will up against other great blogs under the “Best Sports Blog” category. Of course, it would be a great feeling to win this award but to be mentioned together with the other cool sports blogs in the Philippines, we feel that we’ve already accomplished something. I encourage you to visit the other finalists:

Fire Quinito
i2runner
Lakers Today
Philippine Basketball Blog
Philippine Boxing
Sports and Tech sa Pilipinas
The Duffer

For the other categories, please do visit the philippineblogawards website.

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Top 10 NBA rookie plays of 2009

Ongai — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:49:09 +0000

The 2008-2009 season has been over for months now and it’s time to move on to the next. This includes the players with their new teams, new trades and even the 2009-2010 NBA rookies. While everyone has been talking about Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio and how weak this draft is compared with other drafts, I couldn’t help but search the top plays for the rookies of last year.

These plays seem to be really nice but not that awesome and I wonder if this year’s rookie class can show us more highlights. Rubio behind the back pass (if he plays)? Blake Griffin dunking over Shaq? That would have to wait because right now here are the top 10 NBA rookie plays of 2009.

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Shaq’s tribute to the king of pop

Ongai — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:33:22 +0000

We aren’t sure if this is a new video by Shaquille O’neal done recently or if it’s an old video but just released recently since Shaq is still with Damon Jones and Miami Heat cheerleaders here but one thing’s for sure Shaq really has got moves and he is funny and crazy!

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NBA Free Agent Update

Ongai — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:18:37 +0000

Marcin Gortat signs offer sheet worth 5 years, $34 million; Gortat says he’ll be happy whether he stays or goes to Dallas. Orlando Sentinel

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants to meet with Iverson and is seriously considering a one-year, $5 million offer, according to team insiders. Heisley’s renewed interest presents a sudden turn of events given the organization had all but decided to pass on Iverson. Commercial Appeal

Antonio McDyess, a 34-year-old veteran of 14 seasons, agreed Wednesday to terms of a free agent contract that will pair him with Duncan. Sources close to McDyess said the contract is for three seasons, starting at the full, mid-level exception to the NBA’s salary cap restrictions, $5.845 million. The third season is believed to be 50 percent guaranteed. MySanAntonio

The Bulls have agreed with free agent guard Jannero Pargo(notes) on a one-year deal worth approximately $2 million, a league source said Wednesday afternoon. Yahoo Sports

Center Zaza Pachulia agreed to terms with the Hawks on a new four-year deal worth an estimated $19 million, according to two people familiar with the situation. Atlanta Journal Constitution

Chris “Birdman” Andersen has reached a five-year deal to keep his high-flying, shot-blocking act with the Denver Nuggets. – ESPN

The 24-year-old Trevor Ariza agreed to join the Rockets last Thursday night, switching places with free agent Ron Artest, who left Houston to play for the Lakers. ESPN

Ron Artest signed Wednesday with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and received a five-year deal worth about $33 million, according to his agent, David Bauman. Yahoo Sports

Rasheed Wallace is officially a Boston Celtic. The Celtics signed the 34-year-old free agent to a two-year deal using the mid-level exception. Boston.com

The Mavericks have announced that they have signed 6-6, 193-pound guard Quinton Ross, a local who played at Dallas’ Kimball High School and SMU. Dallas News

The Toronto Raptors signed Andrea Bargnani to a new contract; a five-year, $50-million (US) extension that will kick in next season. The Globe and Mail

The Hawks agreed to terms on a three-year, $18 million deal with veteran point guard Mike Bibby. Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Wallace agrees to sign with the Celtics

Ongai — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:48:49 +0000

The Boston Celtics are stronger on both ends of the floor with Wallace

In what appears to be a very crazy off season in the NBA, the Boston Celtics and the camp of Rasheed Wallace makes it even crazier. Wallace is expected to get a two-year deal using the mid-level exception (expected to be about $5.6 million to $5.8 million).

The Celtics All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, owner Wyc Grousbeck, coach Doc Rivers, and president Danny Ainge met with Wallace last week.

Once Wallace signs the contract, the Boston Celtics will be one of the favorites to win the East or at least challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic. As we know the Cavs and the Magic improved their lineup this off season in order to rise above a much improved Eastern Conference.

Will the Celtics sign Big Baby Davis?

It seems that Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge isn’t satisfied with just having signed Wallace and looks to keep Big Baby on board. Baby has is being targeted by the San Antonio Spurs, the Orlando Magic and even the Memphis Grizzlies since they weren’t able to get Wallace this off season.

“We’d like to have it done soon,” Ainge said following yesterday’s summer league practice at Rollins College. “We have a lot of interest in Baby, and we have the ability to match.

“We like Big Baby a lot, and we have every intention of keeping him.” (via Boston Herald)

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Yao Ming could miss ‘09-’10 season or more

Ongai — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:16:20 +0000

It’s still early in the summer and the Houston Rockets have already announced last week that Yao Ming’s foot isn’t healing well and it also looks like that he might miss the whole of next season. This foot had been bothering him in the past and required three pins to be inserted but it cracked when they were against the Los Angeles Lakers in last year’s playoff.

Initially the Rockets told us that Yao’s foot will be healed in 8 to 12 weeks but right now they don’t have an exact timeline when he would be able to play again.

“At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career threatening,” team physician, Tom Clanton said. “One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery.”

Based on the news and the hairline fracture of his foot, it looks like Yao’s feet are having a hard time carrying the load of his 7′6 frame and is slowly breaking down.

This is hard for him and the whole Houston Rockets organization as Yao Ming will be a free agent after this season. If Yao’s foot doesn’t heal in time for the season or if he misses the whole season, then his stock would definitely plunge. He is just 28 years old but by having 4 surgeries in three years and missing a ton of games, I don’t think other GMs would be interested in giving him a long term contract.

As for Houston general manager Daryl Morey, who has kept quiet, I think that he will have a summer of thinking. Thinking of what he will do with Yao Ming’s contract next year and he’ll be thinking of what he will do with Tracy McGrady’s expiring 22 million contract and if he will be offering a long term contract to Ron Artest.

There will be a lot of moves to be made for the Houston Rockets and with Yao’s injury they would definitely need a center. With Dikembe Mutombo retired, they don’t have any other player above 6′9. While they almost beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoff, it would be hard to see them play with a small team the whole season.

Right now it doesn’t really matter what deals they made since one of their top priority is making sure that Yao Ming comes back healthy. And here in buhaybasketball.com, we hope that the Big Fella comes back soon.

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The Cavaliers Pre-Game Rituals Will Be Crazy This Season

Ongai — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:24:37 +0000

With Shaquille O’neal traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, certain questions may arise like will this be the Cavs year of winning it all? Or how will the Lebron James and Shaq work together? Or is Shaq the Dwight Howard stopper? There are just too many questions right now but for us, the most important one is…What kind of pre-game ritual will they do?

As most of us know, Lebron James started their family picture pose before their home games and interestingly, Shaq created his own pre game pose, which was directed at Lebron’s, where the Phoenix Suns players were like bowling pins and Shaq throwing an imaginary ball at them.

So with these two superstars and “clowns” in one team, I’d like to hear what you think will these two come up with. Let’s hear your suggestions in the comments below.

For inspiration, check out their own pre game ritual:

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NBA Finals: All Access Game 5

Ongai — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:57:22 +0000

Check out this youtube video on Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic. As we all know, the Lakers won it in 5 games in such a dominating way. So all Lakers fans, enjoy this video and relive the moment of your Lakers winning.

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The Los Angeles Lakers are the ‘09 NBA Champs

Ongai — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:54:52 +0000

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers for winning the 2009 NBA Champs. Kobe Bryant and company did it. Yes they’re the best team in the NBA right now as they beat the Orlando Magic in 5 games with a 99-86 win in the Magic’s home court.

I’ve never been a fan of Kobe Bryant but I must say that I was impressed by his performance, leadership and the attitude he brought in this series and into the game of basketball as a whole this season. He was more mature and he really deserves respect for what he has accomplished.

As a whole, the Lakers were really the more experienced and the hungrier team this series. Coming from a tough loss to the Boston Celtics a year ago, they knew what had to be done in order to win the championship. They knew that it would take more than Kobe’s offense or even the triangle offense to finish off their opponents. They knew that it would also take defense and discipline among the whole team. And they did what they realized that’s why they’re now the NBA Champs.

As for the Orlando Magic, you really have to give these guys credit. They weren’t favorites to reach the NBA Finals with the defending champs Boston Celtics and Lebron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers trying to dominate the East. But as always they were just a resilient team who didn’t give up. They will still be strong next year but Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis will be 30 years old once the season starts and they’ve already reached their ceiling. They would have to find other ways to help improve their lineup if they would still want to compete next year for the championship.

Here’s a clip of game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic

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