Sports Talk Rundown- NBA Playoffs Edition

Everything seemed to be going against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. They arrived in Miami a day after defeating a pesky Philadelphia 76ers team in Game 7 on Saturday nighy. That meant little rest for the veteran Celtics. They had four technical fouls called against them and Kevin Garnett looked like the only played who came ready to play for the veteran ball club. Plus, they were on the road playing against two of the top five basketball players in the world. I picked the Miami Heat to win this series in 7 games, with Chris Bosh returning in Game 5. After Monday night, my opinion hasn't changed at all. The Celtics will get their feet under themselves and even up the series 1-1 on Wednesday night. It will be close, but I'll take the Celtics to defeat the Heat 89-84 in Game 2. They will get more physical with the Heat and play more zone defense. That will help against the fast-paced Miami offense.

Lebron James (left) and the Miami Heat ran passed the fatigued Boston Celtics
in Game 1. I expect Game 2 to have a much different result.

The San Antonio Spurs rallied at the end of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals to defeat the Oklahoma City  Thunder and take a 1-0 series lead on Sunday night. They play again tonight, but I am expecting the same result. The Spurs are a well-oiled machine. They do not have any noticeable weaknesses and everyone has a team first mentality. The Spurs always have a guy who steps up for them. Manu Ginobili did it in Game 1. Tony Parker will do it in Game 2 and the Spurs will win 98-89.

I'm guessing the Spurs will play well against
the Thunder from start to finish in Game 2
and come away with a 2-0 series lead.

The Answer Needs a Chance

Five years ago if you would've told me that Allen Iverson was on a basketball court in the NBA Playoffs, I would've thought he'd be starting for his team and playing a key role in his team's success. Unfortunately, that was not the case on Wednesday night. In fact, who would've thought the 36 year old Iverson would be in a Number 23 Philadelphia 76ers jersey and jeans presenting the game ball for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Iverson didn't appear much different, but everyone knew he was. The former league MVP had fallen off of a cliff and now he was presenting the game ball on the court he had so many great moments on.

 In the 2007-2008 season Allen Iverson started all 82 games for the Denver Nuggets. He averaged just over 26 points per game and there were no signs of his basketball skills declining. Iverson showed he could complement another star when he played with Carmelo Anthony, but they never made a deep playoff run together and this led to him being traded. After being traded, Iverson began to fall off of the cliff mentioned earlier. His stats declined and he just didn't seem like the same player.

Personal problems eventually took Iverson out of the league and A.I. was left trying to get his life back together. But, I do not want to feel sorry for the former scoring champion. I know he put himself in those positions and he only has himself to blame for the mistakes he made throughout his life.

The last time Iverson was on an NBA basketball court he was dealing with demons that he had to get rid of. His daughter was dealing with illness and his marriage was on shaky ground.  While dealing with those issues, Iverson managed to average 13.7 ppg in his last 28 NBA games. Half of NBA players probably wish they could average 14 points every night and Iverson did at his worst moment. But, after playing only 3 games in 2010, Iverson's issues became toomuch and he left the NBA.


Since then, Iverson has said he would like to play again, but not many teams (if any) have reached out to him. A.I. was interviewed during the game on Wednesday Night and when asked to comment on retirement he said, "I'm not using that word." Later, he was asked about a potential NBA return, "I mean, the way it is right now, I've accepted the fact that [playing in the NBA] might not happen," he said. "But I still want to play basketball. If I can get an opportunity to where it's going to make me happy at the end of my career, I'll take that opportunity. But I just love to play and I want to have another opportunity to play on the professional level."


Allen Iverson will be 37 years old in two weeks, but why shouldn't he get one last shot to play the game he loves? Last time we saw him, he still had the talent to play at a high level. Regardless of how these NBA playoffs turnout, I hope A.I. is on an NBA court next season because he deserves one last chance. It was clear during his career that he played every game like his last and if he wants to get back on the court I believe he will be more motivated than ever.

Allen Iverson presents the game ball before tip off of
Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Lakers Must Improve to Keep Kobe Bryant

This was something most analysts predicted and fans expected, but it seemed surreal when it happened. "The torch has been passed," TNT Analyst Reggie Miller said, and many would tend to agree with him. That implies Los Angeles Lakers run with Kobe Bryant was over and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the top dogs in the Western Conference. The game had a movie-like feel to it. Kobe goes off one last time, not only on the Oklahoma City Thunder, but on father time himself. His 16 seasons in the NBA have taken their toll, but he wanted to try an lead his team to a Game 5 win to put off the inevitable. Bryant has led the Lakers into many battles before and he led them again on Monday night. He put the Lakers on his back, but the young Thunder were too much and the future hall of famer couldn’t do it alone.


Now, media all across the country is speculating what the future holds for the Los Angeles Lakers. Should they blow up the team and start fresh or should they try to add a piece or two to help return to the promised land? I believe if the Lakers do not improve in the offseason with trades and/or free agents, that Kobe Bryant will demand a trade. He wants to be the best and still has enough in the tank to lead a team. Bryant just wants to win championships. He understands the clock is ticking on his career and if that means going to play somewhere else to make one or two more title runs, I believe he is willing to do so.

During the game it became obvious that Bryant was frustrated with his teammates. He yelled at them, tried to motivate them, but nothing worked. The Black Mamba was playing with two 7-footers who lacked the aggressiveness and killer instinct that Bryant posseses. Kobe plays with more drive and will to win then any other player in the league today, a skill that his teammates lack . If that doesn’t change in soon, expect Kobe Bryant to be in a different uniform by the start of next season.

Kobe Bryant looks on as the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate
making the Western Conference Finals
for the second straight season.

The Show Rundown

Catch me live on www.bearcastradio.com from 12-2pm today and every Tuesday. Here are a few of the many topics that will be covered today.

One of the biggest storylines of the NBA Playoffs has been the seasoned Lakers going up against the young Thunder. Some people thought the Lakers would be able to make one last run, but last night I don't believe there's any chance the Lakers WIN this series. They will take one, maybe two games but that is it. The Thunder are too talened and young for this veteran Lake-Show.


After getting blown out in Game One, Kobe Bryant and
the Lakers don't seem to have many answers for
 Kevin Durant and the young Thunder.

Can the Miami Heat still win the NBA Championship this season without Chris Bosh?

My answer to this question is no. Lebron and Wade cannot carry the team alone. Without a post prescence it will be very tough to win a title when they will have to face Boston and Oklahoma City or San Antonio. I thought OKC would probably win a 7 game series against the Heat with Bosh. If he's gone, they don't have a chance. I predict that the Boston Celtics will knock the Heat ff before they even reach the Finals if Bosh is out and the Celtics are healthy.

Joey Votto led the Reds past the Nationals on Sunday with THREE Home Runs and a Walkoff Grand Slam. They also defeated the Braves last night 3-1. That makes two wins in a row, but the questions remains: Is this Reds team back on track? Find out my opinion at 12:00pm.

The Show Rundown

Live radio show today at 12:00pm on bearcastradio.com. Here are some of today's topics:

Carmelo Anthony's Knicks got the best of Lebron James and
the Miami Heat on Sunday. Can they do it again?

Lebron James had 6 points in the final minutes of the game on Sunday and yet people still criticize him when the Heat lose. Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 41 points and yet the Heat continued to let Shane Battier guard him down the stretch. This was the difference in Game 4 and there's no doubt Erik Spolestra will have James guarding Anthony in the fourth quarter of Game 5.

We'll also talk about the rest of the NBA Playoffs including the four games taking place tonight. All four series could end as the Los Angeles Lakers face the Denver Nuggets (LA lead 3-1), the Indiana Pacers face the Orlando Magic (Indy leads 3-1), the Hawks face the Boston Celtics (Bos leads 3-1) and the Chicago Bull face the Philadelphia 76ers (Philly leads 3-1).

Cole Hamels said he meant to hit Bryce Harper. Find out
my thoughts on the matter and if it is
good or bad for baseball.

It's also time to give the Cincinnati Reds a little love because it looks like they are starting to hit their stride posting a 10-5 record in their last 15 games. They are in second place with an overall record of 15-13. They trail the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals by 2.5 games.

Don't forget to tune at at 12:00 pm to bearcastradio.com or to follow me on twitter @james_rapien.