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Bringing The Heat: Cavs Blanket Warriors, Cruise to 112-97 Win

By Amar Panchmatia | November 28, 2008 | Cavalier Attitude

Highlights ll BoxIt is going to be hard, but Clevelanders and Cavs fans across the globe really need to stop buying into the (garbage) hype surrounding the speculation about what happens 19 to 20 months from now.That's because this team right now is just sick. Sick. Nasty.The Cavaliers continued their recent domination by dropping the Golden State Warriors, 112-97, Friday night in front of a packed house at The Q. It was the Cavs' fourth straight win and their 12th in the last 13 games. They're also the only team in the East that's undefeated at home. When I think of dominating home teams over the past 15 years, I think of the the 1994-95 Orlando Magic, who went 39-2 at home. I think of the 1992-93 New York Knicks, who went 37-4 at Madison Square Garden and made it an impossibility for opponents to get out of the Big...

Read more  |  Discuss  |  Tags: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks, Mo Williams, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Stephen Jackson

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Top ten surprises of the NBA season so far

By Jon Burkett | November 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With most teams past the 10 game point in the NBA season, subplots and storylines are emerging. While the Lakers and Celtics are clearly the top teams in the league, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing well as the best of the rest. Other teams have not been up to the challenge. Heading in to Tuesday's action, here are the top ten surprises of the NBA season so far... 10. Mark Cuban's alleged insider trading - The league's most entertaining and passionate owner has been on the wrong side of David Stern before. He has a reputation for being a bit of a rogue, but always follows the law. The most surprising aspect of the story to me is public reaction fueled by speculation. Sure, the NBA is still reeling from image issues of the Tim Donaghy scandal two summers ago. But every piece of gossip is not...

Read more  |  3 Comments  |  Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clipppers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Outsider, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards

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NBA Week 3 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 17, 2008 | MVN Outsider

If one thing has been made clear through the first two-plus weeks of the season, it's this: the Lakers and Celtics are still the cream of the NBA's crop. Although both L.A. and Boston lost to teams that most would argue are inferior opposition last week, I doubt anyone that has been closely following the league thus far would cite those losses as justification for dropping either of them in anyone's power rankings.However with that said, one could debate all day as to whether the Lakers or Celtics deserves to be #1. Last week I had the then-undefeated Lakers occupying the top of my rankings, followed closely by the Celtics. L.A. still has the fewest losses of any team in the league, and they also possess the largest point differential out there (+14.4). So, in the words of Terrell Owens, "the proof is in the pudding."1. Los Angeles Lakers (7-1)...

Read more  |  8 Comments  |  Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns

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NBA Stock Market: Ford's play has Pacers soaring

By Joe Boikess | November 13, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal (flickr.com)

A week ago I tabbed the San Antonio Spurs as the team on the rise after Tony Parker led them to their first win of the season. Then Parker went down with a badly sprained ankle, sidelining him for about a month, and the Spurs have since managed only one win. This only proves that things can change in an instant in the NBA. Here's my risers and fallers for this week...Rising:Indiana Pacers - Indiana's schedule to begin the season was about as tough as it gets: games at Cleveland and at Detroit, and two home meetings with the Celtics and Suns. But after starting out 1-3, the Pacers have won their last three after notching a couple wins over the Nets and one against the lowly Thunder. T.J. Ford has carried much of the load during this latest win streak, getting within a few rebounds or assists shy of...

Read more  |  Discuss  |  Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Tracy McGrady, Utah Jazz

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NBA Week 2 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 10, 2008 | MVN Outsider

A week ago there were seven undefeated teams left. Now there's only two, and who would have thought that one of them would be the Hawks? Atlanta is the big winner this week, but they weren't the team that made the biggest rise in my week 2 power rankings...1. Los Angeles Lakers (5-0) - After a 2-0 week was punctuated by a dominating win against the Rockets, the Lakers are one of only two undefeated teams remaining.2. Boston Celtics (6-1) - More impressive than Boston's spoiling of Iverson's debut in Detroit has been the play of Tony Allen and the C's bench.3. Phoenix Suns (5-2) - The Suns rested Shaq during their loss to Chicago last week, but he sure did make his mark the next night, notching his first 25/10 game since last November.4. Atlanta Hawks (5-0) - Losing Josh Smith for a few weeks will hurt, but Atlanta...

Read more  |  1 Comment  |  Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz

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2008-09 Pacific Division Previews

By Amar Panchmatia | November 5, 2008 | Cavalier Attitude

  Golden St. Warriors Rob Mahoney: Upside and Motor LA Clippers ClipperSteve: Clips Nation LA Lakers Kurt: Forum Blue & Gold Josh Tucker: Respect Kobe Trevor Smith: HoopsAddict Phoenix Suns Phoenix Stan: Bright Side of the Sun Sacramento Kings Tom Ziller: Sactown Royalty Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.com...

Read more  |  Discuss  |  Tags: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings

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game preview Blazers at Suns

By ucatchtrout | November 1, 2008 | Community

[QUOTE]Game preview, Portland at Phoenix 11/1 Have to confess I am having a little difficulty this week doing things the NBA way. You know, where they say once a game is over you should turn your attention to the next...

Read more  |  Discuss  |  Tags: Blazers, forums, message boards, NBA, Portland, Suns

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The Most Exciting Players in the NBA

By Bijan Bayne | October 24, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Well, soon the World Series will be over, T.O. will be crying about being overlooked by his quarterbacks, and the NBA season will begin. A pro basketball ticket is one of the most expensive in sports, but the league is doing better than ever at the gate- even losing clubs draw exceptionally well. We want to see Chris Paul's drives, LeBron James' "looking-down-into-the-basket" dunks, and Dwight Howard's acrobatic blocked shots. Who are the best draws in The League, whether at home or on the road. Here are the NBA's most electrifying performers: LeBron James, F-G, Cleveland Cavaliers When he throws one down on the break, it appears as if he could put his entire forearm down through the rim, or drop the ball in from above the square. His blind passes are breathtaking, and his fluid movements belie his listed size of 6'8", 240. He's had this appeal since his...

Read more  |  12 Comments  |  Tags: Amare Stoudemire, Baron Davis, Cavaliers, Chris Paul, Clippers, Dwight Howard, Hornets, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, Magic, Steve Nash, Suns

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Top ten surprises of the NBA season so far

By Jon Burkett | November 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With most teams past the 10 game point in the NBA season, subplots and storylines are emerging. While the Lakers and Celtics are clearly the top teams in the league, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing well as the best of the rest. Other teams have not been up to the challenge. Heading in to Tuesday's action, here are the top ten surprises of the NBA season so far... 10. Mark Cuban's alleged insider trading - The league's most entertaining and passionate owner has been on the wrong side of David Stern before. He has a reputation for being a bit of a rogue, but always follows the law. The most surprising aspect of the story to me is public reaction fueled by speculation. Sure, the NBA is still reeling from image issues of the Tim Donaghy scandal two summers ago. But every piece of gossip is not...Read more

Read more  |  3 Comments  |  Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clipppers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Outsider, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards

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NBA Week 3 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 17, 2008 | MVN Outsider

If one thing has been made clear through the first two-plus weeks of the season, it's this: the Lakers and Celtics are still the cream of the NBA's crop. Although both L.A. and Boston lost to teams that most would argue are inferior opposition last week, I doubt anyone that has been closely following the league thus far would cite those losses as justification for dropping either of them in anyone's power rankings.However with that said, one could debate all day as to whether the Lakers or Celtics deserves to be #1. Last week I had the then-undefeated Lakers occupying the top of my rankings, followed closely by the Celtics. L.A. still has the fewest losses of any team in the league, and they also possess the largest point differential out there (+14.4). So, in the words of Terrell Owens, "the proof is in the pudding."1. Los Angeles Lakers (7-1)...Read more

Read more  |  8 Comments  |  Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns

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NBA Stock Market: Ford's play has Pacers soaring

By Joe Boikess | November 13, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal (flickr.com)

A week ago I tabbed the San Antonio Spurs as the team on the rise after Tony Parker led them to their first win of the season. Then Parker went down with a badly sprained ankle, sidelining him for about a month, and the Spurs have since managed only one win. This only proves that things can change in an instant in the NBA. Here's my risers and fallers for this week...Rising:Indiana Pacers - Indiana's schedule to begin the season was about as tough as it gets: games at Cleveland and at Detroit, and two home meetings with the Celtics and Suns. But after starting out 1-3, the Pacers have won their last three after notching a couple wins over the Nets and one against the lowly Thunder. T.J. Ford has carried much of the load during this latest win streak, getting within a few rebounds or assists shy of...Read more

Read more  |  Discuss  |  Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Tracy McGrady, Utah Jazz

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NBA Week 2 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | November 10, 2008 | MVN Outsider

A week ago there were seven undefeated teams left. Now there's only two, and who would have thought that one of them would be the Hawks? Atlanta is the big winner this week, but they weren't the team that made the biggest rise in my week 2 power rankings...1. Los Angeles Lakers (5-0) - After a 2-0 week was punctuated by a dominating win against the Rockets, the Lakers are one of only two undefeated teams remaining.2. Boston Celtics (6-1) - More impressive than Boston's spoiling of Iverson's debut in Detroit has been the play of Tony Allen and the C's bench.3. Phoenix Suns (5-2) - The Suns rested Shaq during their loss to Chicago last week, but he sure did make his mark the next night, notching his first 25/10 game since last November.4. Atlanta Hawks (5-0) - Losing Josh Smith for a few weeks will hurt, but Atlanta...Read more

Read more  |  1 Comment  |  Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz

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The Most Exciting Players in the NBA

By Bijan Bayne | October 24, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Well, soon the World Series will be over, T.O. will be crying about being overlooked by his quarterbacks, and the NBA season will begin. A pro basketball ticket is one of the most expensive in sports, but the league is doing better than ever at the gate- even losing clubs draw exceptionally well. We want to see Chris Paul's drives, LeBron James' "looking-down-into-the-basket" dunks, and Dwight Howard's acrobatic blocked shots. Who are the best draws in The League, whether at home or on the road. Here are the NBA's most electrifying performers: LeBron James, F-G, Cleveland Cavaliers When he throws one down on the break, it appears as if he could put his entire forearm down through the rim, or drop the ball in from above the square. His blind passes are breathtaking, and his fluid movements belie his listed size of 6'8", 240. He's had this appeal since his...Read more

Read more  |  12 Comments  |  Tags: Amare Stoudemire, Baron Davis, Cavaliers, Chris Paul, Clippers, Dwight Howard, Hornets, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, Magic, Steve Nash, Suns

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How the West will be won

By Joe Boikess | October 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With the NBA regular season set to tip off in less than a week, it's time to reveal my predictions for how the Western Conference will shape up.  Last year the requirement was at least 50 wins for a team to make the playoffs in the ultra competitive West, and I believe this year will be no different.  That's not to say that all the same teams will be there in the end, however...In addition to ranking the teams in the order that I believe they'll finish, I decided to also separate the teams into tiers based on their potential to win the West.  Here goes...Tier 1: The Clear Favorites1. New Orleans Hornets (1st in Southwest) - I realize that preseason performances should only be taken with a grain of salt, but the Hornets are 6-0 so far, and they have allowed the third-fewest points of any team during the...Read more

Read more  |  7 Comments  |  Tags: Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Outsider, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Western Conference

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How to Watch an NBA Game

By Bijan Bayne | October 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Fans, fantasy players, and weekend warriors- what details should you be paying special attention to when viewing an NBA game. What are the ins and outs, "little things", and nuances that heighten one's appreciation of what takes place on the court? Here are some things to look out for: When a Team Sets Up Its Half-Court Offense, Is Anyone In The Paint? Few NBA teams come downcourt and post a big man inside the paint, not because of the three-second rule, but because most trigger their offenses from the wings "in". When you notice a team that sets up with the big man under or near the bucket, it signals he is a focus of their offense, the defense must set up closer to the basket, and he is probably a capable passer from the post. The Rockets with Yao Ming and the Suns with Shaq are among the only...Read more

Read more  |  1 Comment  |  Tags: Fantasy, NBA, Phoenix Suns, Suns

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