Super Man or Super Bland

by Brandon "BKP" Plowden

I wrote this note back about 6 months ago back in January of 2009 on Facebook. It gives my full opinion on Dwight Howard and the significance he has with the Orlando Magic and as a NBA budding superstar. I predicted that the Magic would not make it very far in the league without a more polished Dwight Howard, the dominant defensive center with no offensive skill. I said all along that if he does NOT develop a offensive game then you can blame the Magic's downfall on both him and Stan Van Gundy's poor coaching along with his decision making. Read the note below and feel free to leave your commentary:

Written on January 19, 2009 by me, Brandon BKP Plowden:

Ok so I'm sitting here pondering about the idea of Dwight Howard getting the ball more as well as listening to NBA analyst say that "he needs to touch the ball more", or "if they don't feed him the rock then they'll suffer". Well something about this arguement doesn't make sense to me, but forgive me ahead of time if I'm the only one.

If these are the same analyst and critics that say "Dwight Howard needs to add offensive skills", "he has no moves", "he's not gonna be able to dunk and do lay-ups all the time", "he is a horrible free throw shooter", etc., then why in the hell would there be a "need" to force feed the rock to him???? If a player has no offensive skill and you're debating this notion on a NBA panel then why would u make a plea for him to get the rock more???

When Howard gets the ball there's only a couple things that could occur:

-Turn around jump hook
-muscle his way to a dunk
-offensive foul from dropping his shoulder
-throw up a circus hook
-turn the ball over from getting trapped (which happens a lot)
-and or a missed shot attempt, put him on the line, and two missed free throws (59% shooter but could be better at times)

The only good I see coming from force feeding Howard is that he's going to get the other player in foul trouble or a and-1 from a made shot attempt. So again its ludicrous to suggest a force feed 80% of the time when the player you're speaking of has no offensive skill. Makes no sense to me. If this were Olajuwon, Jabbar, D.Robinson, Duncan, or Russell then the force feed makes sense. Could it potentially be a legit arguement? Yes, once he develops a drop step, 10 foot jumper, a pivot move, and a decent hook of some kind then yes. He will then become the dominant center that he has the potential to be.

Defensively he's already spoken for, its the offense that is in question and that isn't put into the correct context when Chris Webber, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and occasionally Jalen Rose from ESPN on ESPN give their analysis of his skill during the postgame preview. I can respect Barkley and Kenny Smith but not Rose and Webber. Ernie is just the facilitator. Webber, at 6'10 or 6'11, is the same player that was afraid to go into the paint during the series against the Lakers when he played with Sacremento. I remember it as if it were yeserday. I sat there mad and angry at Weber for not taking it to Shaq or Horry. Weber put up jump shot after jump shot and then Kings eventually lost the paint battle to the Lakers in 2002 (I think that was the yr of the great Kings team). As for Rose, he's the same player Kobe scored 81 pts on during his stint with the Raptors. Now do u really think I would honor the opinion of those two? Not at all, but that's another conversation.

As for Van Gundy I made a statement last yr before finals about Van Gundy not being equipped to coach a team in contention. His decision making in games with substitutions are horrible, he panics at the wrong moment, he lacks optimism and it EXTREMELY pessimistic, and he doesn't do a good job managing the games or the line-up at critical parts of the game. I said last yr that I wish Orlando had a different coach bc Stan is not going to cut it. Why did he have to be threatened by JJ Reddick's agent in order for him to finally get some playing time? Why did he allow GM Otis Smith to sign a $5 million power forward, Brandon Bass, and sit him on the bench for 80% of the season? If the power forward mismatch that Van Gundy likes to try to create isnt working then WHY NOT play Bass???? Same thing last yr. If Jameer Nelson is not producing in the finals after not having played since February then WHY NOT bench him for the PG that got you to the point of where you are in Rafer Alston. Rafer was fire hott and provided a spark but he benched him during the most inopportune time.

All in all I wanted to point out the riduculous notion of a force feed to Howard, the player with no offensive skill, when in actuality this team lives and dies on the perimeter as well. If the perimeter game is not clicking during the game and your Center is not producing offense while committing turnovers then its a wrap. Consider it a L in the loss column. I still love my Orlando Magic but I'm just keepin it real! Give me something that makes sense and Dwight please stay in the gym practicing jump shots, drop steps, and free throws. You're killin me!

-Signature BKP signing off

Celtics vs. Magic Deciding Factors

by Brandon "BKP" Plowden

I for one am looking forward to the NBA eastern conference finals match-up between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, defending conference champs of 2008-09. The Celtics are fresh off an upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that bolstered the best regular season record preceded by a sketchy playoff history while being led by arguably the best player in the league in LeBron James. The Celtics now face a new challenge against a team filled with former perennial all-stars which ironically resembles their supporting cast as well. Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and the Orlando Magic, a perfect 8-0 in the post season thus far, will finally face their toughest test of the road to returning to the finals.

Boston returns this year with a centerpiece that wasn't available to them last year in Kevin Garnett. He missed the entire playoffs last year due to s surgically repaired knee that sidelined him right before the playoffs began. Judging from their inconsistent performance and the myriad of injuries during the regular season many experts, if not all, predicted the Celtics to be eliminated in the first or second round and remembered in history as team that once had the juice to win it all but could not overcome old age. Instead it appears that Doc Rivers has a plan for his team and it clearly shows with the late playoff adjustments primarily due to the play of their "Big 3 plus 1"- Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo (the plus one). Rondo, to me, has always been ignored and never really given credit as a legit difference maker, although, his play can be inconsistent at times. This Celtic team is essentially the same cast of starters that won the trophy 2 years ago when they annihilated the Los Angeles Lakers in supreme fashion with a piercing 39 point win in game 6 (no pun intended with the "pierce", LOL). Since then, the team that dawns the four leaf clover has never really looked the same barring injury, chemistry issues via new trades, and aging. Beantown has sent a clear message and mild warning to never ignore them.

Orlando has had its own series of questions to deal with this year after reaching the NBA finals in 2008-09. They began their offseason by allowing one of their key centerpieces, Hedo Turkoglu, to sign with another team during his free agency period. Current GM Otis Smith then made a move to acquire former all-star and nearby Daytona Beach hometown swingman Vince Carter, while also receiving versatile PF Ryan Anderson in the package as well. He then added more muscle by re-signing back-up center Marcin Gortat, beefy PF Brandon Bass, SF Matt Barnes aka "Mr. Hustle Man", and shifty PG Jayson Williams. Smith received a boatload of criticism from the offseason moves, both positive and negative, but the majority were received with much optimism. The season started out great with a bright pre-season but shortly afterwards they struggled with chemistry issues. Vince Carter was forced to make the adjustment to try to transform himself into the #2 scoring option, Jameer Nelson hadn't returned to complete form after last seasons knee injury, and Rashard Lewis was suspended for violating the league substance abuse policy. Lewis and Howard then called a team meeting, had a heart to heart with every player, and set the standard for what it will take for them to return to the finals again as a "complete unit". Obviously the meeting worked like magic and they have been clicking on all cylinders while also finishing up the regular season with the same identical record from last year. The team has gelled quite well, posting an 8-0 record in the postseason, and are on the verge of making a return to the finals, pending the test from one last east coast opponent in the Celtics.

Let me attempt to briefly identify the deciding factors between this series and who will have to stay consistent in order for their team to prevail. (in BKP's opinion):

Paul Pierce vs. Vince Carter and Kevin Garnett vs. Rashard Lewis. These two match-up, in my opinion, will bee the deciding factors within the entire series. I can also make a case for Ray Allen vs Matt Barnes because Allen is lethal on the perimeter and Barnes, who is currently nursing a lower back injury, is extremely scrappy with his defensive tactics but his effort will be assisted by the likes of Mike Pietrus. Carter must continue to be aggressive and return to the "Vinsanity" mold of 2001 when he was in this situation before during his stint as a Toronto Raptor. If he can keep a consistent flow by not settling for jumpers, and continuing his acrobatic moves to the basket along with the supreme free throw shooting for the rest of the playoffs then the Magic have a great chance of finishing the Celtics off within 5 to 6 games. It also helps to have homecourt advantage which the Magic were awarded after finishing with the 2nd best record in the league, next to the Cavaliers.

Pierce must remain active and continue to knock down that 15 foot jumper and/or transition 3 pointer in order for his Celtics to advance. He was hounded last series by James but if he opens up his complete arsenal of penetrating to the basket off the pick and roll, finding the open man, and consistently knocking down the plethora assists that he receives from Rondo then the Magic will be in trouble by game 6.

Garnett has to deal with guarding the perimeter as he will be faced with 3 point shooting specialist Rashard Lewis. If Garnett can muster up enough energy to operate from the post to the perimeter to guard Lewis then he will have the advantage in the series. With Lewis' skill set it allows the post to be open for Dwight Howard to do his dirty work down low. Overall, whichever of the two is able to draw his defender away from their game plan will ultimately make the series more advantageous for his squad.

So again the following match-ups will be the deciding factors in this series for the road to the finals to play the winner of Phoenix/Los Angeles. Let the games begin and may the best team win. If you know me then you already know who I'm pulling for! ;)

~Signature BKP signing off

The LeBron James Saga

by Brandon "BKP" Plowden

LeBron James entered the NBA with a wealth of expectations back in 2003. He was deemed as the next prodigy and face of the league with even a hint at becoming the next Micheal Jordan. We all know that there will never be another MJ but there have been players that have come close to his resemblance such as Kobe Bryant, Eddie Jones, Vince Carter, Dwayne Wade, and of course Lebron himself. Although many will tell you there are no two players that are the same, few will argue that the aforementioned names above almost came close. LeBron’s skillset can be compared more to that of a combination of Magic Johnson and Oscar Robinson, but his style of play is something that the league has never seen before.

Since his inception in 2003 he has lived up to the hype by winning numerous awards. He won the 2003-2004 rookie of the year award, All-NBA and All-Star participant since since his rookie year, back to back MVP awards, 2 olympic medals of bronze and gold, and even a lone finals appearance in 2007 where he gave way to the Spurs to sweep the Cavs 4-0. However, even with all of the accomplishments in such a short time he still has not been able to eclipse the mark of obtaining an NBA championship. Why has he not been able to accomplish this goal? Many would say that he doesn’t possess the vocal and mental leadership qualities needed to carry a team, or that he doesn’t have the ability to take over a game in crunch time. In my opinion, I believe it may be a combination of the two with a few extra additives such as a lack of leadership at the coaching ranks and the non-existence of a #2 option. Lets take a look at the teams that LeBron has played on:

2003-2004; Record 35-47 (Rookie Year) Starters only

-Lebron, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ricky Davis, Carlos Boozer, Jeff McInnis

2004-2005; Record 42-40

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Jeff McInnis, Ira Newble

2005-2006; Record 50-32

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow

*2006-2007; Record 50-32

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow (this is the finals team that was dominated by Tim Duncan and the Spurs on all levels)

2007-2008; Record 45-37

-Lebron, Big Z, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Damon Jones

2008-2009; Record 66-16

Lebron, Big Z, Anderson Varejoa, Delonte West, Mo Williams

2009-2010; record 61-21

Lebron, Shaquille O’Neal, Anderson Varejoa, Anthony Parker, Mo Williams

Now that we have a preview of the former role players that LeBron has played with lets identify one or more players that you can make a ligitimate case for as a reliable option at number 2. (*cricket sounds*) time passes (*jeopardy music playing*). Ok time is up, who were you able to identify? No one you say? How could that be? Well they went to the finals in 2007 so how is there not a #2 option? They had the best regular season record in 2008 and again in 2009, how could that be? Well my friend I will attempt to answer for you.

Judging from the rosters above it appears that LeBron was on the court manhandling the league and every opponent he faced which in turn caused an intimdation factor. He led his team in points, assists, and rebounds at times and was the most feared defender in the game so when you have a player on your team of that maginitude you cannot help but feel that you’re going to win each time your team steps on the floor, hence the reason for the astonishing team records. There is not another player above that you can make an argument for to say that he was able to pick up the load on any given night that Lebron was rusty. No team has ever won a NBA championship with one player ever! MJ had Pippen as a reliable sidekick, Duncan and Robinson, Hamilton and Billups, Magic and Kareem, Magic and Worthy, Bird and McHale, Isaiah Thomas and Dumars, Olajuwon and Horry, Pierce and Garnett/Allen, Shaq and Kobe/Horry, Kobe and Gasol, and Russell and Havlicek. All of those duos have been able to accomplish a goal together. LeBron has not had the luxury of that experience just yet, but at the tender age of 25 he is bound to link up with that #2 option that will eventually become the force of the league.

Now as for the other point I mentioned in regard to the lack of leadership at the coaching position and Mike Brown. In my opinion he is not the caliber of coach that would able to lead a championship contender to the end. Sure he led his team to the best regular season record but as it relates to the playoffs this is a time when major adjustments need to be made. Adjustments need to be recognized during the NBA trade deadline, during the allstar break, all the way up to the time the playoff bell rings when players and coaches lay it all on the line. Mike Brown is not an “x’s and o’s” type of coach which was clearly evident during the 2008-2009 playoff match against the Orlando Magic. I remember seeing the Cavs call a timeout and the assistant coaches drawing up plays for the team in crunch time, while Mike Brown observed as if he was an assistant. Who does that? Not a grade A caliber coach I’ll tell u that. Also do you think Brown would ever be able to coach in a major basketball market as the head coach of the NY Knicks, Dallas, LA Lakers, Chicago, or Orlando? No! The GM’s of that market are smart enough to recognize that he is only a scapegoat type of coach or someone who’s good but nowhere near the potential of becoming great. I can also blame the downfall of Cleveland on their GM and talent scouts. They have had a poor judgement of talent and remind me of those sports nerds who think they know talent or know how the game goes but never stepped foot on a basketball court.

I’m done with this analysis of the Cavs because their moves have been ridiculously horrible and the city can place the blame on the manaagement because its evident. However a good friend of mine made a point when he said that if you praise the leader of a team in the glory moments then you must place high scrutiny and blame on him during the low times as well. However Im only giving a “partial blame” to LeBron and the rest to management and unreliable role players. So until the front office recognizes the same things I did above LeBron will never live up to the nickname of “King James” or more imporrtantly will never win a ring. Will he stay in Cleveland for them to make these changes? That’s another debate.

~Signature BKP signing off

The Hawks advance, but?

by Shaun Thomas

The Atlanta Hawks found the motivation to win games 6 & 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. With that being said, they have a much tougher opponent awaiting in the Orlando Magic.

Orlando poses match up problems for Atlanta, starting with Center Dwight Howard. Versus the Magic during the regular season Atlanta went 1-3, and it took a buzzer beater tip dunk by Josh Smith to muster that single victory.



The biggest concern is the Hawks half court defense! Too often during the Milwaukee series, the Bucks were able to spring free for wide open jumps shots. If this happens against Orlando, Atlanta will quickly be focusing on "next" year.



The Hawks win this series if....

They are able to negate the most overwhelming mismatch.....Howard vs Horford. Dwight Howard is the defensive player of the year for the second consecutive season. However, Howard is notorious for early game foul trouble. Atlanta must take full advantage and exploit his eagerness to block shots. Without Howard on the floor, Orlando becomes a much easier team to score against.

Also, Atlanta must stay intense and aggressive on defense. The magic have a number of 3 point shooters who can hit shots in bunches. Close out defense is a must in order to give the Hawks a chance to win this series.



Myself being a die hard Hawks fan, I remain optimistic. Game 1 is tomorrow night. We shall see!

What are your thoughts?