MVN - Most Valuable Network

The Kings, Christies and fans were stiffed…and it’s still happening

Image details: Chris Webber talks to Hidayet Turkoglu, Vlade Divac and Doug Christie served by picapp.com

-The Kings look for answers in Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals

Tim Donaghy said what?

Wow…where do I begin with this one? Or better yet, let’s see where I end…

I am devastated to the point of feeling physically sick! Not just for myself, but for my teammates (who put their true heart and soul on the line), the fans in Sacramento (and worldwide) and the players out there on the floor right now. What’s “real” and what’s fake? So many and so much has been effected by these turn of events, not to mention that the fans didn’t get a chance to see the “true champions”. I can just hear all of the nay sayers now, saying, “He’s just mad because they didn’t win the championship.”

Well, now we know why (if these allegations are true). It’s hard enough that you are facing the defending champs, hall of fame players and coaches, but you are also playing 5 on 8 (come on!). This is really disheartening. You work hard, play hard and it’s all bull. But, it’s what you see and the consumer believes it. Whoever “they” say are the “champs” are the “champs” (deserving or not). “They” are controlling the whole thing. What really makes me mad in the turn of events since then is the fact that these events have turned into what I consider a black balling of myself in the NBA!!

Yes, it hurts and is disappointing, but the ships sails on. I know what I bring to the game as a player on and off the court. I know I always made the decision to do the right thing and I always will. Again the nay sayers will say, “He’s mad because nobody picked him up.” Well, that’s just not true because you haven’t heard a word from me about it before now.

A champion is treated in a whole different light. They are valued in the locker room and commercially on a whole different level. For years, my wife and I have been ridiculed and talked about like we are weird, all because we did not fit the “mold” of what the culture breeds in the NBA. It got to the point that these stories would precede us to the point that teams thought that I (i.e. we) would be a problem. That is bogus!!!! Respecting yourself, your family and being a team player is a problem? The point being that if the series would have went the way we all know that it should have, as a champion my relationship would have been praised because the “champs” are always shown in a good light. Just like now, you see Kobe and many players with their wives and kids right there hugging and kissing, now it’s “chic”…

And not to knock any of the players, I am very pleased and proud that now all of them can feel ok about showing how they feel about their families in public. After my family and I took all of the bullets and were put through hell, our businesses suffered and ultimately the profession that I love so dearly has been taken away with lies and propaganda, just as that series was.

Are you kidding me? Last season (‘07/’08), I go in the gym with the Sonics and Trail Blazers (not to mention the GMs that I spoke to personally) and outplayed 90% of their guys. The only thing my agent told me they were interested in was my relationship with my wife, what happened before, or why did I leave the Clippers??? Truth be told, my family and I were dealing with the same old lies and workers starting trouble with us. I’m not willing to deal with that!

I just want to go and play the game that I love. So, that makes me weird, huh?!? Maybe if I was fighting with my wife and flirting with people, I would still be playing or at least going out on my own terms!

The biggest shame isn’t the fact that this happened. It’s the fact that “they” continue to let it happen…right before our eyes! From “star” calls to the whistle changing in the playoffs, it’s just a really sad state of affairs. Question…how about a ref officiating games in his “hometown?” The plot thickens…

–DC

For Lakers and Celts, the X-factor is in the middle

Here we go everyone!!!

Lakers v. Celtics - am I back in high school?  I’m sure feeling like a young fan again.  Can you hear the chants “Beat LA” or see the parquet floor?  Heck, they need to play a couple games in the Forum.  At any rate, it makes for good theater and the NBA hasn’t had something like this since Kings v. Lakers.  This surely isn’t “Showtime” or the big three, but it’s close enough for me!

Let’s take a peek…

Celtics say that they are going to stick Kobe one-on-one!?  Great move, Doc Rivers!  The success of the Lakers is based on the fact that Kobe learned to trust his teammates.  That means as he scores, most teams come to double him and now he is finding the open man.  His supporting cast has been stepping up.  Face it, Kobe is great and he is going to get his, but the key is that the Celtics hold everybody else in check.  I believe this game plan is a great way to accomplish that.  The only problem with this plan is that the guy that is being guarded one-on-one can score 81 in a game!!!!!!

One thing that the Celtics are going to see for the first time is a Pau Gasol Laker team, which is totally different.  Not only is he a fantastic 2nd option, he is also a presence inside, which they desperately need (especially with the injury to Andrew Bynum).  `    The “x” factor for the Lakers is Roni Turiaf. We know that he brings the energy and the fire. The question is, “Will the Celts allow him to be a game changer???”

As for Boston and the big three, I was wrong.  They look ready to be exactly where they are - in the Finals.  Playoff adversity can do one of two things - it either brings a team together or they go fishing.  From the looks of it, this team has come together, the biggest key being that Ray Ray found his playoff stroke.  His shooting changes the dynamic of the game so much.  He stretches the floor, opening it up for KG & Pierce (not to mention guys like E. House & J. Posey have the chance to get great looks).  The “x” factor for Boston is going to be Kendrick Perkins.  LA has no one that can match his size and strength.  Can he dominate the boards and stay out of foul trouble???

This should be a fantastic series with lots of drama - an old fashion barn burner.  My prediction is too much Kobe and the Lakers win in 7…heck, lets be frisky and call it 6!!!

With all the Boston/LA focus, we’ve missed out on the fact that we’ve seen a “mini” dynasty in Detroit, just minus the championships.  Now, with the firing of Flip Saunders ,where do they go?  Did I hear someone say 80’s backcourt, Zeke & Joe, together again?  I don’t think so.  As much as I personally would like to see that, I don’t know how that “boss” dynamic would work with these two.  If they won a championship though, they would be the first backcourt tandem to do it on the court and then on the sidelines.  Go ahead and make history, Joe!!!

–DC

Just get Kobe to the fourth quarter…

The 2008 NBA playoffs have given us a little bit of everything. We have a new MVP, coaches loosing their jobs or just relocating, a few game sevens and a whole bunch of theatrics. We are now down to the final two, but let’s look back at how the fantastic four unfolded.

Give Detroit props for their Eastern dominance - 6 straight conference finals appearances. Joe D. put together one heck of a team that doesn’t in my eyes get the credit that they are due. Yes, they may be cocky (i.e. confident) and take their time together for granted, which isn’t wise as the window begins to shut…but let’s not forget that this is a championship, playoff tested and all-star caliber team. I thought they would beat Boston (who hadn’t proved they could win on the road) in 6.

It is great to see the green machine back in the running. It almost (i said almost) looks like Bill Russell out there with KG holding it down. This new Celtic green has to win on the road. With home court throughout, that won’t be enough at this level! They have a good foundation for the future, but I don’t see it right now.
If they can put together the same type of work next year with the playoff experience that has been gained, they will march right to the championship (don’t know if they will win though).

The Spurs are a savvy bunch that dominated the league and the west for quite some years now and showed that they are definitely still a formidable opponent. The heart of a champion is a beautiful thing to watch and true unselfish teamwork is what it is all about. But the “Lake Show” had the upper hand, with Pau Gasol balancing out the dominance of Duncan.

This Kobe-dominated team truly found its stride. Phil Jackson worked his Zen magic once again. Six months ago, this was a team and organization in complete turmoil. Now we see a team that believes in themselves and has the most dominant offensive player in the game. They are my pick and I’m sticking with them. Just get Kobe to the fourth quarter…

D.CHRISTIE

DC delivers playoff prognostications

The 2008 playoffs have been very entertaining. We’ve seen young teams grow (i.e. Philadelphia, Atlanta). There have also been some major disappointments (i.e. Dallas should have believed in last year’s 69 win team, Phoenix? & Toronto didn’t play up to their ability). It’s good to see new blood in the NBA (i.e. Orlando, New Orleans) and also some great coaching (i.e. Byron Scott). All of the awards have been well deserved. Congrats to Hedo Turkoglu (MIP), KG (Defensive Player of the year - that Celtic green looks good on him), Kobe (MVP -well deserved and long overdue; his body of work speaks for itself - even if you don’t agree!!!) and Byron Scott (Coach of the Year - hands down, great job to you, your staff and your team). This year, we should don a new champion. Let’s take a peak…..

Detroit over Orlando
The Pistons are a team that can beat anyone on any night. The only problem is that they fall asleep with their consistency, which is a big no-no in the playoffs. It worked out in round one vs. the 76ers, but the hocus -pocus style won’t be very effective in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Magic series was more about the changing of the guard than anything and the Pistons showed they aren’t ready to be pushed aside.

LA v. Utah
The Lakers are playing on all cylinders. Kobe Bryant is the MVP and has figured out what Phil imparted to me. Your teammates are instrumental to real success. It’s beautiful to watch…unless you are a Jazz fan. For the Jazz to have any chance at all, their big three (Williams, Boozer and Okur) are going to have to play that next level type of ball. Are they capable? Yes. Will they? Not this year…

Boston v. Cleveland
The Celtics got playoff tested in round 1 (good job Atlanta), but a 1 seed vs. an 8 game 7 victory at home is not impressive for a team that produced a body of work like they did this year. They should hold themselves to a higher standard and if they don’t, the playoffs sure will. This series has proven to be a barn burner. The Celtics will look to take King James out of the game, so his supporting cast will have to pickup the slack. If not, the fans will have to wait and see next year. I predict the Celtics win game 6.

New Orleans v. San Antonio

Image details: San Antonio Spurs v New Orleans Hornets - Game 5 served by picapp.com

Chris Paul for MVP??? You couldn’t go wrong with co-MVPs (although it was Kobe’s time no doubt). With CP3 leading the Hornets, West the All-Star, Peja’s 200 plus 3’s & Tyson Chandler catching everything - all of this proves to be a monster of a hill for the Spurs to climb. The aging Spurs will responded with home wins, but need back-to-back road wins to move on. This young Hornets team plays well at home. Watch out, Spurs! This talented & tough Byron Scott team wont back down!!! I predict Hornets win game 6.

Got love the NBA!!!!

–DC