NBA Basketball Fantastic!!!!!!

Just like the motto of the NBA back in the day I'm reminded of how simple a game basketball is. I grew up in an era where people regarded that time as the Golden age of basketball. Magic, Bird and Jordan where the names that everyone knew and we were all glued to our TV sets to watch. Now today was we watch a faster more athletic NBA we call upon the spirits of NBA past to help guide the sport back into the homes of those from the not so distant past.

As we bear witness to the coming of Lebron James the maturing of Dwight Howard or the cementing of a legacy in Kobe Bryant we can hope that the future of NBA basketball is strong and on a good footing. I watched Game 3 of the NBA finals at a great location with good friends and fabulous food. The Magic accomplished a team first by winning a NBA finals game and by doing so they trail the series 2 -1 with game 4 on Thursday June 11, 2009. The game was good for the Magic as they played one of their best overall team games in shooting over 60% from the field. As the Magic played an unbelievable game they only managed to win the game by 5 points and the game was very tight throughout the entire contest. To gain another victory in my opinion with another near flawless night is unlikely considering the level of competition. My previous post I alluded to some great home cooking and good rest to gain a victory and I'm glad they did just that. Now that the food has settled and jitters of playing at home has settled hopefully they can hold serve on their home court and send the series to game 5. 

As much as I have learned to appreciate the NBA again I hope this series can be the defining point were the NBA is able to get its appeal back into the mainstream as it has done in years past with Magic, Bird and Jordan....Whose to say that Lebron, Dwight and Kobe could be the ones to accomplish it for them. "NBA Basketball its Fantastic"

NBA Finals 2009!!!!!!

So as I write this post the Lakers are up 2 games to zero over the Orlando Magic. The first 2 games were played in Los Angeles the home of the Lakers. The first game was a total team victory as the Lakers pounded the Magic who pretty much sleepwalked through the entire contest. As game 2 rolled around people began to question if Orlando had what it took to run with the Lakers. I reflect back to the series with the Cleveland Cavaliers and how the Magic had numerous answers, so I knew they had the fire power to win but will they be able to put it all together. 

So game 2 was a defensive struggle for most of the game with Rashard Lewis being the offensive juggernaut. At one time during the 2nd quarter Lewis had scored 18 of the Magics 20 points...can we say coming out party!!!! I knew of Rashard Lewis when he played in the Northwest with the then Seattle SuperSonics. Rashard Lewis came up the hard way in the straight from High School era of young players. The greatest benefit for Lewis was developing his game in the no-pressure atmosphere of Seattle. He was able to hone his craft from one of the best clutch 3point shooters in the Boston Celtics Ray Allen. In his 10 plus season campaigns in the NBA the limelight he is in is well deserved and I would imagine quite gratifying. So as the Orlando Magic stare down the barrel of an 3-0 deficit hopefully they are taking in the home cooked meal and night with family to get their bearings and basketball in order. One thing is certain the Lakers have come to play and hopefully the Magic is up to the task of pulling out a victory in game 3.

NBA Basketball!!!!

The playoffs for the NBA this year has been just downright the best I have watched in a long long time. The teams contending currently in Conference Finals are just going all out! It all started with the Boston/Chicago series where most of the games finished in OT and it went 7 games. To even right now with Lebron winning a game winner which he contends was the greatest shot of his career. 

The surprise this year is the Denver Nugget. Who would have thought that this team would be where it is at today? It begins and ends with one name "Big Shot" Billups. This guy has been a member of seven consecutive Conference Finals. The guy is a baller no doubt. For those that have followed the NBA for a while you should know the value of Chauncey Billups. Denver's acquisition of him for Allen Iverson has to be looked upon as one of the biggest coups of all-time. Denver went from being a lower end Western Conference playoff contender to damn near knocking off the number #1 seed and punching their ticket to the Finals. Since acquiring Billups Denver has the best record in the Western Conference. Billups as a stabilizing force and leader has put this team in order. With Chauncey and Carmelo running together their future is bright. Beware Los Angeles Lakers the dream match up might not happen if your not careful.

I remember as kid watching Magic and Bird and as an adult that era is looked upon as the time where the NBA jumped into all of the American homes. Ever since Jordan retired I felt as if the NBA has just lacked its own identity. Stars drive the league and now and I believe there are Stars that can stand and produce now on their merits without the hanging comparisons to past legends of the game. I would not be disappointed if any of the 4 teams  made it to the NBA finals.

I'm pulling for Orlando and Denver to meet in the finals just because I want to be the opposite of what I believe the NBA truly wants....Lebron and Kobe. So I will sit back and take in all of these great games and bear witness to the next new age of the NBA. Have a seat with me and pull out a nice Stoagie and enjoy!