So the Bulls and the Celtics series has FINALLY ended with the good guys coming out on top!!! With Boston winning and the Hawks pulling out the “W” over Miami, the door has opened to the glorious second round of the playoffs. As I love to do, I am going to force feed you all my theories on how these series will play out and then when I am horribly wrong, I will blame it all on you!!!
Orlando vs. Boston
If Kevin Garnett were able bodied (don’t they have cortisone in Boston?) I wouldn’t even waste my massively valuable time writing up this synopsis but since he isn’t, here I GO!!! After a long series with Chicago we learned a few things about the “new” Celts, #1 Paul Pierce isn’t as good as he thinks. Sure he made some big shots but he also effed up a lot, i.e) fouling Noah on a bonehead play that probably cost them the game if not another over time. #2 Boston can get REALLY thin, REALLY fast up front (I am really trying to get a Big Baby joke in here but I am tired) and #3 Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen are part of an elaborate rouse by Ashton Kutcher to Punk the whole world into thinking these 2 DUDS could actually make and NBA squad. As for Orlando, I think they are way too big for the Celts but not too deep for them. If they can get O Town in foul trouble, I think they will be able to pressure their back up players into a big enough hole that they can’t recover but that is a LOOONG stretch….Magic in 6
Atlanta vs. Cleveland
If you skipped the first match up to get to this one you may want to go back to the first sentence and read slowly. My time is valuable and the Cavaliers time is too. I mean how is LeBron going to celebrate being MVP at 24 years old when he has to play these damn playoff games. Cavs = good, Hawks = not good enough. Cavs in 4
Lakers vs. Rockets
I think this is a match up I am anticipating more than most people. One of 2 of the worlds best players (depending on who you like better) vs. one of the worlds best defenders and piss off artists. And if you don’t know who I am talking about, its Yao Ming and Sasha Vujacic…..No seriously, earlier in the year Kobe vs. Artest was AWESOME and gave me my favourite clip of the year which I posted on the site here. I think people are MAJORLY looking past the Big Man and his band of merry men and just thinking LeBron/Kobe finals. Houston is here for a reason, they have a deep team filled with role players that just come to play basketball. Sure they don’t have T-Mac but T-Mac doesn’t have knees or a back so he would only slow them down. What I think this series will come down to is how well Ming can play Gasol and how bad Artest can piss off Kobe. If Ming gets in foul trouble consistently, Houston loses. If Artest can piss Kobe off enough to make him shoot 50 times and forget his teammates, I think LA loses. But…LA in 6
Denver vs. Dallas
I have previously stated my disdain for the Mavericks and their style of play and nothing afforded me more happiness then seeing them get beat on Sunday while I was nursing a WICKED hangover (THANK YOU PACQUIAO). I think Denver is WAY too deep, too dirty and too well rounded to even get sucked into the Diggler’s one man band act. Billups is better than Kidd (at this point in their career), anyone is better than JJ Barea, JR Smith is Jason Terry with attitude, Melo and Dirk are fairly even, Martin is a real thug as opposed to Josh Howard and Nene is a REAL beast as opposed to Ericka Dampier (shout out to the Big Shaqtus). I can see the Mavs lulling the Nuggets to sleep for a game or two so I will say….Denver in 6
Let me know what you guys think in the comments section….PROVE ME WRONG CELTICS!!!
Written on February 20th, 2009 by goatdieselone shout
Every year for every sport I get SO excited for days like yesterday, the trade deadlines but why? Every year, I get disappointed. I know I am a SUCKER for rumours and I read about 75 a day and maybe that’s my problem. I just wish for ONCE there would be 5 blockbuster deals and I could go to bed with a smile. Yesterday was more of the same disappointment for me and the rest of the fans out there that were expecting big things or at least one big trade. I will let you know what went down and then you let me know what you think, deal? (more…)
Shaquile O’Neal is a big guy (huge guy), and big guys are notoriously awkward when it comes to anything resembling a dance move. I find the song choice for this routine that Shaq Diesel performed with the dance crew Jabbawockeez at the 2009 All-Star Game very fitting. Perhaps Shaq is a “hero” for all the big guys out there. Squash the stereotypes.
Just keep poppin’ and lockin’!
Written on February 14th, 2009 by goatdieselno shouts
By FAR the best All Star Weekend of any major sport. NBA’s All Star Saturday Night is probably my favourite night of the sports year and has been since I was a little kid. It basically wraps all the best parts of the game into one night of awesomeness, I even like the Shooting Stars competition (Yeah I said IT!). Along with the main staples, 3 point Shoot out (Go JK), Skills competition and OF COURSE the Slam dunk, this year they have added H-O-R-S-E to the slate of Saturday Night magic. I have heard a lot of people say this could be crap but I also know a lot of people are excited about this and I am one of the latter. Ever since the Jordan and Bird commercials back in the late 80’s or early 90s, I have dreamt of watching NBA All Stars playing horse. Sure they won’t be throwing the ball off the score clock from the 300 level of and arena but I expect to see some crazy things this to go down.
Last night was the annual Rookie vs. Sophomore game (which I usually miss) but this year I HAPPENED to actually be in a bar (what a fluke) and much to the chagrin of my girlfriend, ended up catching the whole game and was very surprised about how good it was. Sure there was NO defence and Kevin Durant took 25 shots but it was actually competitive. The rooks were leading pretty much the whole game and then the Durant show started! He was on fire, finishing the game 17 for 25 from the field for 46 points, the all time record for most points and the MVP. I think this game tends to be more sloughed off because its only the rookie and sophomores and for the most part is filled with guys that aren’t that well known yet but I think it tends to be more competitive for that reason and because NO sophomore wants to be beaten by a rookie, especially if you’re on their team. Just for a piece of history, the rookies have only won twice in 10 years of this format.
All the action starts tonight (on TV anyway) at 8pm ET. I will break down who I think will win the events and why don’t you let me know who you think is going to win and then we can have a friendly bet of bragging rights (maybe a beer too if we ever meet) for the winner. OK here it goes: Shooting Stars challenge – LA Lakers - I’m taking them because they seem to have the best shooters through the whole team. Skills Challenge -Devin Harris - I chose Harris because he is flat out the fastest guy here and he can shoot. 3 Point Shootout – Jason Kapono – Do I even have to say why? Raptors, 3 time champ, Raptors. Now for the BIG SHOW – Slam Dunk Contest – Dwight Howard – First off, let ME let YOU know, this guy is my favourite player and has been since I saw one of his high school games. He is not only the most dominant big man since Shaq but he is a real cool guy and loves playing the game. He also practiced for over a YEAR on the dunks he did last year and I have to imagine he wants to re-live that glory again and will do so tonight.
If I am around tonight (might have to make up for last night with the girlfriend) I will be live blogging all of tonight’s events so come around 8pm and see whats up. Well have a good night and a good weekend!
Written on January 29th, 2009 by goatdieselno shouts
Today the NBA announced the reserves for the All Star game and there are definitely some shady choices here…Lets get to it…
WEST
Centres – Pau Gasol (Lakers) Shaquille O’Neal (Suns) – No problems here – Gasol is the C/PF on the best team in the west and come on, he may not be in his prime but does anybody bring more laughs to the All Star festivities then the Big Aristotle.
Forwards – David West (Hornets) and Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) – Hmmm it gets a little sketchy here for me. I know last year David West has everyone saying ”Who the F… is this guy killing my team” and I know he is still putting up decent numbers but what about Al Jefferson? Sure he plays in ‘Sota and more people watch Slamball then WOLVES games but this guy is a MONSTER! This season he has had TWENTY, 12+ rebound games and 34, 20+ point games. I know the Mavs aren’t having the best season but Diggler is the man still. The big German still gets his buckets and lets be honest if he wasn’t in Dallas they would be MUCH worse (more…)
Written on January 18th, 2009 by goatdiesel2 shouts
And I ain’t talking bout no Keanu Reeves!!! In an apparent deal between the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat, new comer centre Jermaine O’Neal will be headed to the sandy beaches of Miami for a package deal of small forward Shawn “Matrix” Marion and PG Marcus Banks. If this deal does indeed go down, not only will I have successfully called this a month ago, I also believe it will mutually beneficial to both teams. Miami would get their MUCH needed defense help for Dwyane Wade but it would also finally give them their first legitimate centre since Shaq Daddy. (I know Alonzo Mourning was there but he is only 6′9). For Toronto this appears to be a god send. Right now the Raps are TERRIBLE on perimeter defence as well they are lacking a slasher and I believe Matrix addresses both these needs. Also, Toronto FINALLY receives a serviceable back up PG for Jose Calderon. While Roko Ukic has looked good in spurts and Will Solomon, well he will NEVER be talked about on this site. Sure Banks is wild and has never really worked out anywhere he has been, I think he’ll be a great fit here in Toronto simply because of his slashing abilities.
I will put together a full report if this deal actually goes down. I give the chances of this actually happening a 92% on the GoatDiesel scale of probability!!!
Written on December 6th, 2008 by goatdieselone shout
1/4 Man, 1/4 Beast, 1/2 Superhuman
Let’s be honest, it’s JUST too easy for this guy! Blessed with a body from greek mythology, the smile of 5 year old kid about to steal some cookies and the althletic ability of well, a superhuman. It’s hard to believe there is anything Dwight won’t be able to achieve while in the NBA. Except maybe a 6th Man of the Year or Most Improved Player award.
Less than a month from his first career triple double (a nasty one at that: 30pts, 18rebs and 10 blocks). D12 hasn’t slowed down and the scary part is, he seems to be getting better. I haven’t seen lines in box scores like this since another overgrown manchild donned a blue and white jersey with Magic across the front. The difference between the two great centres in my mind, Shaq used his dominant size and undying hunger to eat rims and beast his way to massive box scores. While Howard uses a more fast paced, high flying, did you just fuc… see that approach to his game.
I think the difference in the end will be, while Shaq’s body eventually broke down carrying his massive size around and his pound, pound, pound attitude on the court. For Dwight, I think it will be how long can he continue to turn off a pick, jump through the roof and throw any ball lobbed in his general direction through the rim on his way down. I do believe his penchant for rebound will always be there, his timing on blocks is a inate ability, so as long as his superhuman ability to leap only decreases to human or above average human, he should continue to dominate. Don’t get me wrong, Shaq is a beast, in my opinion one of the 5 best centres ever and he’s having a great season this year. But for me, I think D12 represents the new breed of Shaq if you will.
Like the NBA Shaq first played in compared to the NBA they both play in now. D12 is leaner, faster and more high flying than Shaq was. When Dwight ends career will we still be able to compare the two? Will he be in the top 50 players of all time? Who knows, I would be crazy to make that claim but he does have the tools and time on his side (He’s 23 in his 5th year). Can he even come close to touching Shaq’s legacy of 4 championships? Again, who knows? If he was put in a position with players like Kobe and Dwyane Wade it is almost a given. The only thing I do know is the man is a freak of nature, a hell a lot of fun to watch, a great person and someone to keep your eye on.
Today the NBA announced the reserves for the All Star game and there are definitely some shady choices here…Lets get to it…