Inside look at Miami Heat

Big three (Google Images)

As we end the second week of the playoffs, we are starting to see why the blockbuster trades made throughout this season have changed the game already.  While no team in the NBA has been swept yet, there were a couple teams facing elimination today.  The Philadelphia 76ers went down 3-0 to the Miami Heat and pulled off a thrilling victory today edging out the Heat 86-82.  The series is now 3-1 in favor of the Heat and although no team has ever come back from being down 3-0, the Heat have a lot to be worried about.  The story of the Heat's season has been their lack of ability to close games and LeBron James failure to hit the big shot.  Many people have questioned the Heat along with their star players because they are repeatedly handing the game to James when down the stretch and he is consistently failing.  The Heat have tried to go to Chris Bosh toward the end of games, along with Dwayne Wade a few times and they all have failed to convert the big basket when needed.  Role players like Eddie House have hit big shots down the stretch granite they have been wide open looks they have stepped up and made big shots.  My point here is that toward the end of games the Heat have some huge questions that need to be answered.  They may win this series handily, but when they face a veteran team like the Boston Celtics who have proven time in and time out they can close games, they won't be as fortunate.  Personally I believe, they should steer away from LeBron since he is 1-8 from the field in the closing seconds of games.  They have two Hall of Famers and three All-Star's on their team and they still can't figure out who they should go to down the stretch.  Although I think LeBron will unquestionably be one of the greatest players of all time his inability to close games will be one of the deciding factors in how many championships he'll win or lose.  Game five will be played on Wednesday and I'm sure it will be a dandy.  Hopefully the Heat find an answer to their late game problems or their season will be over next round.   

Number 1 seeds face scare

NBA Playoff Bracket (Google Images)

The playoffs went underway on Saturday and the players wasted no time putting on a show for the fans.  The Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers put on an extraordinary performance in Game 1 on Saturday.  The Pacers jumped out to a big league, but MVP candidate Derrick Rose took over the game in the final minutes to help his team overcome a 10 point deficit.  The Bulls ended up winning 104-99 in a last minute thriller.  The Bulls were down 10 points with around 3:35 to play when Rose began twisting and turning in the lane finishing with an assortment of moves.  When they needed a big play he mad it, when they needed an assist he dished it.  He was quoted after the game saying he wanted to do whatever it took to win the game.  Many people questioned whether or not he deserved the MVP.  After his 39 point, 6 rebound, 6 assist explosion in Game 1 I think people are no longer doubting him.  The fact that the Pacers were able to have their way with the Bulls for nearly 48 minutes is scary for Bulls fans.  I don't think they should be worried though because they showed poise down the stretch and have one of the best players in Derrick Rose.  The fact that 80% of teams that win Game 1 win the series is also a great positive for the Bulls fans.  The Bulls will take on the Pacers in Game 2 on Monday at 9:30.  I believe the Bulls will win in 6 games, but with the way the playoffs have gone thus far anything is possible.

Zach Randolph rebound (Google Images)

Although it's still early I believe the San Antonio Spurs should be worried for that same reason.  They started off sluggish and gave up a game at home to the 8th Seeded Grizzlies.  Not only did they give the Grizzlies the most important game in the series, they gave them tons of confidence and momentum heading into the next game.  The injury and absence of their leading scorer Manu Ginobli didn't help, but they appeared to be a step slow.  Age has been a factor with them in the past, will it hurt them again in the future?  Zach Randolph was virtually unstoppable finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds.  Tim Duncan was held to 13 points scoring his final basket with 9:24 left to play in the third.  The Spurs would take a two point league with less than a minute to play, but would give up a big three pointer to Shane Battier.  The Spurs missed a potential tying three as time expired and went on to lose 101-98.  The Spurs were one of my favorites to make it out of the West, but this game makes you wonder just how vulnerable they are.  The Spurs are a great team with great experience, but will the youthful Grizzlies knock off the Spurs?  I believe they will bounce back with the return of Ginobli and they will finish the series strong and knock off the grizzlies.   

NBA Playoff Preview

(NBA playoff picture Google Images)

With the NBA regular season coming to an end seeds are being finalized and teams are resting their veteran players for the weekend.  The Lakers however are playing their starters minus injured Center Andrew Bynum because with a win they can clinch a two seed.  Implications are high and although these games are meaningless to some, players like Blake Griffin are taking advantage of the season finale with high flying dunks as usual.

Seeds are finalized in the East with the Chicago Bulls taking the number one spot led by MVP candidate Derrick Rose.  They will face off against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.  This year the Bulls made an incredible regular season run and finished the year with the best record in the NBA.  The East is loaded with talent especially since the blockbusters trades were made over the summer.  Contenders like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic all have the talent and star power to win the Eastern Conference Finals.  As we move on to the West we will also see a solid balance in talent throughout the teams in the league.

(Derrick Rose Dunk Google Images)

The San Antonio Spurs closed the season with the second best record in the NBA, but were hit with a major setback due to the injury of Manu Ginobli's hurt right elbow.  The Spurs will take on the New Orleans Hornets in the first round of the playoffs.  Although they seem poised for a solid run, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are definitely my favorite to win it all and make it out the West.  With the combination of interior scoring and perimeter play, the Lakers are seemingly unstoppable at times.  One problem with the Lakers is the inconsistent play they displayed throughout the regular season.  They were one game out of first place two weeks before the regular season was over and went on a four game losing streak.  This eliminated their chances of a number one seed and brought many questions to the minds of sports analysis and fans.

 The Oklahoma City Thunder are my team to watch in the West and could be a huge threat to the Lakers and Spurs.  The Dallas Mavericks were tied for second with the Lakers in the West and will have a solid shot at making a run.  The only problem with them is that they have only made it out the first round once in the last four years.  The games will get underway on Saturday around and should be a playoff for the ages with the type of trades made early on in the season.  What better way to end the regular season than with highlights of the top dunks in the regular season?

College Dunk Contest

The college dunk contest took place during Final Four weekend and was one to remember.  High flyers like Gilbert Brown of Pittsburgh, St. John's Justin Burrell and Cincinnati's Darnell Wilkins were selected as members to participate.  All of these guys were representing a high-major university.  Among all the Division I athletes in attendance, it was the 5'10 Division III dunker who stole the show.  Illinois College's Jacob Tucker would go on to be crown the champion of the State Farm 2011 College dunk contest, mostly due to his creativity and jaw-dropping 50-Inch vertical leap.

Tucker didn't receive his invite into to the dunk contest until a month after his online audition video went viral.  It didn't take long for the unheralded dunker to become an Internet celebrity.  His dunks were shown on ESPN, Pardon The Interruption and The Best Damn Sports Show Period.  According to ESPN, Tucker received 88% of the votes which was more than enough to solidify his spot.    

I thought the college dunk contest was better than the NBA dunk contest mainly because these kids attempted some dunks I've never seen before.  They also didn't use props or try to persuade the judges with skits or fancy cars like the NBA players.  Little known Jacob Tucker is now an Internet celebrity who is currently closing in on 4 million views.  He will forever be remembered for his amazing dunks and Vince Carter like explosiveness.  Although he plans on being a professional trainer once he graduates from Illinois College I'm sure he will still be throwing down dunks for many years to come.  Below are just some you tube clips of Jacob Tuckers contest and in game dunks.

National Championship Recap

(Championship Photo Google images)

As the final buzzer sound there were mixed emotions all across the country, along with some great questions.  The Connecticut Huskies won 53-41 in one of the uglier games featured in this years tournament.  Many records were broken, good and bad. 
 
Kemba Walker struggled from the floor but showed great poise and leadership down the stretch.  Jeremy Lamb started off slowly but scored 6 points in a three minute spurt to put the huskies up for good.  Although this tournament was one for the ages, the championship game was a disappointment in most eyes.  Butler shot 18% from the floor which was good for the lowest shooting percentage in the history of the men's title game according to an article which included a video on ESPN.  Was this a sign of things to come for the future, in terms of horrid shooting and visible jitters from underclassmen?  Uconn became the first team since 2004 to win a national championship while starting a freshman.  Ironically the last team that did it was the Connecticut Huskies coached by the 68 year old Jim Calhoun.

The collegiate level of basketball is evolving into a game dominated by underclassmen.  Most team's are being forced to lean on underclassmen because of players entering the NBA draft early.  Connecticut relied heavily on Kemba Walker and a handful of underclassmen.  Butler relied on a very experienced senior laden group.  Questions will continue to be ask as to whether or not underclassmen should be able to declare early.  The effects of this reoccurring theme may be affecting the quality of basketball being played.  Team's are losing cohesion and constantly gaining inexperience every year.  Some believe this is good for the game others disagree.  I'm on the middle of the fence and believe it is good and bad because some players are ready for the NBA after one year.

The world is unsure what the future holds, but we do know that eventually one of these experienced mid-majors are going to win a national championship.  The questions is when will it happen?  Here is the video of both teams press conferences from YouTube.com:

    

Reflection on the Final Four and upcoming championship game

 

Final Four logo (Google Images)

After some bizarre upsets and multiple buzzer-beaters the Final Four games were played out on Saturday night.  Those games wouldn't disappoint as both games weren't decided until the final minutes of regulation.  VCU had a historic run come to an end as they lost to Butler, falling just short of reaching their first ever national championship.  According to ESPN out of 5.9 million brackets filled out online only two had the correct final four.  This shows you the type of year it's been with an 11,8,3 and 4 seed shaping up the Final Four.  This meant that there wouldn't be a 1 or 2 seed in the Final Four for the first time in the history of the NCAA tournament. 

Jimmer Fredette (Google Images)

The second game featured Connecticut and Kentucky, which served as the "heavy weight" contest in a lot of fans eyes.  The game featured two high major teams with an All American in Kemba Walker and a Freshman conference Player of the Year in Terrence Jones.  Walker would come away with the win as he has every time in his last 10 games including the Big East tournament.  It seemed as if he was playing inspired ball as usual, but from my view point it appeared like playing with a chip on his shoulder.  The USBWA player of the year award was given to Senior guard Jimmer Fredette Friday over Kemba Walker and a few other finalist.  Although the award is voted on before the NCAA tournament starts, this would help motivate any inspired athlete.  Jimmer Fredette had one of the most historic scoring outburst the NCAA has ever seen, but his team is no longer in the tourny due to a tough overtime loss to Florida.  Kemba on the other hand didn't quite put up the guady numbers that Jimmer did however, his team is heading to the national championship. 

Many people believe this year showed that mid majors can play with the "big boys".  Butler is making a strong case as they head to their second straight National Championship game.  After last years unexpected run, I believe they have what it takes to win a championship IF they can stop Kemba Walker.  That is a big question mark considering the type of run Uconn has made on their improbable 10 game win streak.  With the run Uconn is making, along with the underdog tag Butler is carrying this game surely will be one for the ages.  The upcoming game championship game will be played on Monday around 9.  I'm taking Connecticut in a close one because the combination of Uconn's guard play is significantly stronger than Shelvin Mack in company.  What do you think about the potential match up of Uconn and Butler?  Do you think this is a sign that mid-majors can play with the high-majors?  We will find out soon enough, but I believe mid-majors are slowly working their way up the rankings and will eventually win a national championship.  
 

Introduction to my blog

Welcome to my blog "The Assist".  My name is CJ McCollum and  I am currently a Sophomore basketball player at Lehigh University majoring in Journalism.  I will be blogging about basketball mainly on the collegiate and professional level.  This topic really interest me because I've been playing all my life and my brother is currently playing professional basketball in Europe.  I chose to name my blog "The Assist"  because I will be dishing out information to the world on sports specifically basketball.  In the sports world an assist is granted to the person who passes the ball to the player who scores.  I plan distributing my current basketball knowledge to the world  in an effort to gain insight from others as well.  I will propose some very controversial topics in the near future regarding my opinion on NBA players,collegiate athletes and future match-ups between different teams.  Stay tuned I will be back before you know it.