Moving On...

Now that the NBA Draft has passed, the Miami Heat must decide who to pursue via free agency and trades. This team still does have several areas in need. Pat Riley has to have a very active off-season if he wants this team to return to the playoffs. Thursday night was a start, but there is still a long way to go.

Some people may disagree with me, but I wouldn't be so leery about acquiring someone whose contract goes through the 2010 off-season, when Dwyane Wade and numerous other stars can become free agents. The Heat cannot take Wade for granted. They are going to have to prove to him that Miami will be the place to stay in a couple of years. He needs to be surrounded by a strong supporting cast. If not, you can have all of the cap space in the world, he will most likely leave. There are a lot of teams that could offer him money. When Dwyane Wade decides where he wants to spent the next few years of his life, he will probably think to himself, "At the end of the day, everybody gets a nice paycheck. But everyone doesn't get a championship."

One of the most pressing needs for Miami is the point guard position. An intriguing player to me is Raymond Felton. He is young and played for a winning program at UNC. He is extremely quick and can facilitate the offense well. A big trade with Charlotte that could involve Felton, Gerald Wallace, and Matt Carroll is very attractive, even if it comes at a cost of Shawn Marion, Daequan Cook, and a filler. Wallace can lock down opposing small forwards as well as hold his own on the offensive end of the floor. Carroll, meanwhile, can shoot lights-out from beyond the arc.

The Heat may have a bit of a logjam at the forward position right now, but they also need a center. Miami is, or at least should be, actively shopping Mark Blount's contract. Quality centers are very scarce these days. DeSagana Diop, a free agent who doesn't offer much, could be appealing to Pat Riley due to his size. Dallas, a former team of his, has reportedly inquired about Diop. Evidently, they have an advantage because he knows the system.

Another option at the center would be Joel Przybilla, though it would have to come via a trade. With Greg Oden coming back, Przybilla may find himself the odd man out in Portland. His contract is pricey, but he is a seven-footer and a strong rebounder. Moreover, Portland does retain a 2009 first-round draft pick. The Heat's first-rounder was given to Minnesota in the Ricky Davis trade.

The bottom line is that the Heat need to prove to Dwyane Wade that he will invest his time if he stays in Miami. They need to be able to compete with the Boston Celtics, the team to beat in the East. If they do nothing but clear up cap space and don't improve, it is difficult for me to see Wade return in a Heat uniform.

Heat Unleash the Beast

For all of the anticipation of Miami making a big move on Draft Night, the Heat having reservations about selecting Kansas St. forward Michael Beasley, etc. it actually appeared to be a predictable Draft night for the Heat in the first round. They ended up taking Beasley at No. 2, arguably the best talent in the Draft. Pat Riley spoke shortly thereafter, insisting that B-Easy is a keeper. He said they never intended on passing up on the freshmen who registered a record 28 double-doubles.

Beasley will fit right in with Dwyane Wade. He will have the ability to stretch the defense with three-pointers. Moreover, he can post smaller defenders up down low and blow by bigger defenders. It doesn't really matter if you put him at the three or the four; it's pick for poison with Beastly. Miami won the championship with an inside-outside game a couple of years ago, so we could see Erik Spoelstra putting him at power forward.

I expect Beasley will be the Rookie of the Year. He has the ability to become a 20-point, 10-rebound guy night-in and night-out. There were concerns about him measuring 6'8 1/4" instead of 6'10". However, Beasley has the wingspan of a seven-footer. He also led the NCAA in rebounds, with 12.4 boards a night. That is better than seven-footers such as Roy Hibbert, Kosta Koufos, the Lopez brothers, and JaVale McGee, just to name a few.

Miami's selection of Beasley, a forward, is an indication that Udonis Haslem and Shawn Marion may be booking a flight somewhere else over the next few months. Miami still does not have a center. The Heat did make a shrewd move for point guard Mario Chalmers in the second round, but I would not pencil him as a starter for the Heat.

In the second round, Miami traded two second-round picks and cash in exchange for Chalmers, who some said should have been drafted in the first round. The Heat wound up the night by selecting Darnell Jackson at No. 52, but traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a future second-round pick. Mario Chalmers was a point guard for the champion Kansas Jayhawks last season. In the championship game, Chalmers made the clutch triple to send the game into overtime against Memphis.

Chalmers spent three years in college, and averaged nearly 13 points per game as a junior. He shot lights out from beyond the arc, at a 46.8% clip. Additionally, Chalmers is known for his defense. He was the 2007 Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He can pick someone up full-court and rack up steals, reminiscent of a Lindsey Hunter.

If Beasley can put Shawn Marion or Udonis Haslem on the trading block, Mario Chalmers may be able to put Daequan Cook on the block. The 6'5" rookie who was a pleasant surprise for Miami could be a trade chip. He shot well from beyond the arc, but won't be able to be anything more than a backup to Dwyane Wade in a Heat uniform. With Chalmers as a three-point shooter and a defensive stopper, he could fill the purpose of Cook.

Pat Riley said himself that this team still has plenty of holes to fill. A center is needed. A point guard is also needed. Additionally, the Heat need more depth, especially in the frontline. Nonetheless, today's Draft was a significant step in rising back to prominence in the East. We still have the rest of the off-season, and Miami got off to a great start.

Trade Looks Plausible As Draft Nears

Multiple sources have indicated that Heat President Pat Riley has reservations about selecting Michael Beasley. Moreover, Riles gave guards OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless private workouts in Miami on Tuesday, just two days before the Draft. It is worth noting that Daequan Cook, who Miami traded for in the Draft, was a late workout as well.

The sources have told media outlets that Miami does indeed plan on selecting Beasley at No. 2. They then plan to trade down in the Draft, possibly for either Mayo or Bayless, while acquiring another asset. Pat Riley appears dead-set on drafting a point guard for Dwyane Wade in the backcourt. OJ Mayo has worked out with Wade in Chicago, and the two have befriended each other.

If there are no takers for a trade, Heat officials on the high end of the tree have told Mayo that they would not hesitate to draft Mayo himself at No. 2 and simply call it a day. However, it is evident that Miami would like to draft Beasley, and then trade for Mayo while possibly acquiring another piece to help the 15-win team. An additional lottery pick has been mentioned.

Shawn Marion may have opted to stay with Miami for an additional season, but he may have to book a flight soon. With the Matrix raking in $17.2 million this season, Pat Riley seemingly thinks he could get a less expensive option at the small forward. The rumor mill has generated Marion-for-Baron Davis rumors. I only see that happening if the Heat select Michael Beasley and they have no takers for a trade. Pat Riley has made very clear, implicitly if not explicitly, that he wants a point guard out of this Draft.

One option for a Draft-night trade will be a deal with Memphis that involves their fifth selection, Mike Miller, and a point guard (probably Kyle Lowry). This trade allows Miami to be more flexible with the fifth pick, considering they already will have a young point guard in Lowry. Miami could draft a big man, Kevin Love or Brook Lopez just to name a couple. Mike Miller is a lethal three-point shooter and can play some point, but he is overpaid at $9 million. Jason Williams, a former member of the Grizzlies himself, may be involved in a sign-and-trade.

Another possibility is the Los Angeles Clippers. One of the reasons Miami may be holding out on Beasley is because they may look to get Elton Brand or Carlos Boozer in the future. Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley will certainly entice the Clippers. The L.A. Clips hold the seventh pick. It is possible that Jerryd Bayless could be available at seven. If not, Miami could grab another lottery-bound guard, such as Eric Gordon.

At the end of the day, it is very difficult to predict something in the future. As I have said, do not be surprised if the Heat do something unexpected. The ultimate goal for tomorrow night's Draft should be to make this team better. They have to ensure that they make the picks or trades necessary to make them a better team. Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley want Miami to be a playoff team this upcoming season. Well, it will start tomorrow night.

After he does his pick and makes any trades necessary, Pat Riley should take out a piece of paper and a pen. He should write down his new projected starting lineup. Next to it, he should write Boston's starting lineup, the team to beat in the East. When it is midnight on Draft day, Pat Riley should ask himself, "Can my team compete with this Boston team?" If the answer is honestly yes, then Pat Riley has done his job on Draft night.

Heat Start Shakeup with Pick

The 2008 NBA Draft is just two days away. The possibilities of the selection, rumored trades, et cetera are endless. Keep in mind that Pat Riley could do something way out of left field. Not many people were expecting that Miami would draft Jason Smith, only to trade him for Daequan Cook.

Let's start off with the news of the day. According to Shawn Marion's agent, Dan Fegan, the four-time All-Star will not opt out of his contract, which has one year remaining. It's hard to blame him. There aren't many players who will be paid $17.2 million this upcoming season. However, the Heat would have preferred for Marion to opt out, then sign a less expensive deal in the off-season. This deal could be a strong indication that the Matrix is not in Miami's future plans. He could even be dealt this off-season. Rumors have put Elton Brand, Carlos Boozer, and Lamar Odom as possible trade partners with Marion.

Marion can undeniably be a vital trade asset for Miami. Only 10 players this season averaged a double-double in terms of points and rebounds this season. Marion was one of them. He has gained a good reputation around the League of a player that is athletic, a strong rebounder, and a good defensive player. A lot of teams could use a guy like that.

The truth is, Marion is a good player; the plan was for him and Wade to gel for at least one season to see where this duo could go. At a price-tag of $17.2 million, that is simply too much. He shouldn't be making more than Ray Allen. He shouldn't be making more than Elton Brand. He shouldn't be making more than Dwyane Wade.

Now on to the Draft. The Heat hold the second pick in the Draft, as well as the 52nd selection. I will be shocked if Chicago does not pick Derrick Rose as their guy. The impression out of the Bulls front office is that they have seen what Chris Paul and Deron Williams have done to their respective teams in a short amount of time. They see similarities in Rose.

Contrary to what some people are saying, I do not believe that Pat Riley is in the "now" mode, attempting to trade off a future superstar for a proven veteran. Riley knows that Wade can opt out of his contract in the 2010 summer. He needs as much cap space as he can get to re-sign Wade. He also needs to prove to Wade that Miami is the place for him to stay. A talented rookie coming at a cheap price is one of the best ways to give a superstar help without going deep in the wallet.

I do not see Miami trading their pick for maybe Mike Conley, Mike Miller, and, say, Kevin Love. I see them keeping their pick, whoever it may be. I would not be surprised if they did make a Draft-night trade, but would not expect them to trade for a player with a hefty price (Mike Miller). The Draft leaves them with Michael Beasley and OJ Mayo. Miami is reportedly interested in both of them. However, there can only be one. I have heard that the Heat like Mayo more than Beasley.

Miami may try to trade down a spot, if the Minnesota Timberwolves are willing to give up some value in return. I wouldn't be so sure to pencil in OJ Mayo wearing a T-Wolves hat in a couple of days. The Wolves have enough guards. They need someone down low to help with Al Jefferson. I would not be surprised if they select Brook Lopez.

The Sonics, at #4, have talked with Miami, and the word on the street is that Riley is intrigued. It is hard to envision the Sonics making a trade, especially if Mayo is on the board. They have a chance to build a team around Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and a point guard (take your pick: Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, or Russell Westbrook). That would put them in a great position to add more talent, with other lottery picks apparently on the way. In my mind, the Sonics don't need Beasley. They already have Durant and Green.

If the Heat were drafting simply on talent, Michael Beasley would be the evident choice. He's athletic, strong, quick, can shoot, has the arms of a seven-footer, and has a great work ethic. OJ Mayo gives Miami someone who can fill in as a point guard, a position in desperate need. When all is said and done, though, I expect David Stern to announce that Miami has selected Michael Beasley. Pat Riley will be talking to teams thereafter, discussing trade partners for Udonis Haslem and Shawn Marion. And I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they are both dealt by midnight on Draft Day. I wouldn't be surprised if Beasley isn't with the Heat by midnight, either.

In Draft, Matrix Decides

With the Finals finally behind us, the NBA has officially entered the off-season. The 2008 NBA Draft is just six days away, and the Miami Heat have been the topic of a multitude of rumors. If so-called sources are correct, Pat Riley has no interest in Derrick Rose, the 6'3" point guard out of Memphis. Riles has seemingly become enamored with OJ Mayo's athleticism and shooting prowess. In addition, him and Dwyane Wade have been working out together in Chicago and becoming fast friends. Recently, however, sources indicate Miami may draft Michael Beasley, the 6'8" forward out of Kansas State.

Whatever decision the Heat makes, it will be decided by what Shawn Marion does. Marion must decide whether to opt out of his contract or stay with the Miami Heat by June 24. If Marion decides his future is not in Miami, the odds of selecting Beasley skyrocket. If not, it appears OJ Mayo will wear a Heat hat in less than a week. There are several other options, such as trading the pick to Memphis in exchange for Mike Miller and the fifth pick. For now, I find it difficult to envision Riles will trade the pick, simply because Chicago will apparently pick Derrick Rose. The Heat have recently fallen out of favor with Rose. Therefore, the Heat will select whom they prefer.

With Marion, he is more likely to decide to stay in Miami. There won't be any other place where he can make $17.2 million. I know that some players have taken pay-cuts to have a chance at a title, but no one in this League is going to play for free. Money is the deciding factor for a lot of people, and I expect him to get his best deal. His best deal is in Miami.

Therefore, the Miami Heat will probably select OJ Mayo with the second pick. Mayo is a great three-point shooter, possesses great athleticism, and plays good defense. He also is well-equipped to run a team. "OJ Mayo can be a true point," says NBA Champion Doc Rivers, a former point guard himself. "I watched him play a couple of years ago, and I thought he was off-the-charts phenomenal."

More broadly, this team needs more than just some point guard help. This team needs an overhaul. Remember, this team won 15 games last season. 15 games. It needs a lot of new faces. A player who I really like is Elton Brand. He can opt out of his contract this season, but is still undecided. Considering that he has never gotten far in the playoffs and could use a change of scenery, an opt out is certainly plausible.

Elton Brand is undersized to play the four, but is still one of the best rebounders in the League. He has been a 20 and 10 guy for several seasons, and has developed into a great defensive force down low. Signing him would be a colossal move that could have the same impact of the Kevin Garnett deal: becoming favorites to come out of the East.

A starting lineup of OJ Mayo, Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Elton Brand, and, say, DeSagana Diop is viable among any team in the East. Reportedly, teams have contacted Udonis Haslem. With the possible acquisition of Brand, Haslem will probably be moved. A lot of teams could use a garbage player like UD. He could also bring in some talent. The bottom line is that the Heat need a seismic change, the level of the Boston Celtics last season. Just look where it got them, only a year later.

The Audacity of Hoop

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Boston Celtics are officially crowned the 62nd NBA Champion. They were able to come from futility to the champs in just one off-season summer, with the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Moreover, the additions of key role players such as James Posey and Eddie House bode well for the Celtics.

Before Game 6, there were some who thought that the Lakers were the better team in this series. Any doubt of who should be crowned the champion was erased last night. After a relatively rocky first quarter in which Kobe Bryant hit a couple of jumpers early on, Boston completely dominated the rest of the way. They led by 23 at halftime and ended the game with a 39-point advantage, the largest margin of victory in a Finals clinching game.

Paul Pierce did not play well, but the other two stars stepped up. Kevin Garnett, who has gotten criticism over his career from the media, players, and even his own coaching staff, had 10 of his 26 points in the first quarter. He was aggressive throughout the game, always having a foot in the paint when he set up. Once KG was able to establish a rhythm, those 17-foot jumpers came as second nature to the Big Ticket. He finally has a ring, after years of being an underachiever.

Ray Allen had an incredible game. Throughout the series, he played consistently and at the top of his game. After getting off to a hot start early on, Ray Allen was hit by Lamar Odom at the basket. Allen had to leave the game with about five minutes to go in the first quarter. He did not come back until midway through the second quarter. It didn't matter.

Ray Allen was seven-of-nine from three-point range, setting an NBA Finals record. He finished with 26 points. However, what was more shocking was the Lakers defense on Allen. Sasha Vujacic did not know how to get around a screen. Derek Fisher, a veteran, seemed clueless as well. Virtually every triple that Allen attempted was wide open. That is inexcusable. This is one of the greatest three-point shooters in the game. Any time you allow 131 points, your defense is horrible. But last night, it was atrocious.

When the confetti hit the floor, it was Paul "The Truth" Pierce who received the honor of the Finals MVP. Despite his sub-par game last night, Pierce was the best player for the Celtics. Very seldom does one see a basketball player go from really good to great in his or her 10th season. It appeared as though he bloomed and then bloomed again. The way he played throughout these playoffs was at an unmatched level. He stuck with the Boston Celtics through thick and thin, and fully deserves the ring he will receive in a few months.

It essentially came down to the fact that the Celtics had the audacity to fight back, even when they were down. They contested every single game. I know this series went to six games, but the Celtics could have gone 6-0 in these Finals. They simply out-worked the L.A. Lakers on both ends of the court. They found a way to stop Kobe, exploited mis-matches on offense, and controlled the boards the entire series. They deserve it.

The Los Angeles Lakers still have holes to fill. They have a great coach and the best player on the planet, Kobe Bryant. Andrew Bynum's return will help defense in the paint. They need to get some better defensive options around the perimeter to defend the elite players of the game. They have some good players. But it is nearly certain that some of the Lakers won't be wearing purple-and-gold next season.

Hold That Thought

First of all, I apologize for not updating this blog after Game 4. I have been vacationing in San Francisco for the past few days, and I just got back.

Anyways, the Los Angeles Lakers had their backs against the wall, down 1-3. The Boston Celtics had a chance to dust this team away in Game 5 and hoist up the trophy on their home court. For most of the game, the leads were very reminiscent of Game 4: L.A. jumped out to an early lead, Boston came fighting back, Boston got the lead...but hold on. Kobe Bryant did not accept defeat, and sent the game back to Boston.

However, people in the Laker locker-room know that they need to play better than a 103-98 squeaker in Game 5 at home. Right after the game, ABC's Michele Tafoya asked Kobe if we have seen enough from this squad to believe they can steal a game in Boston.

"Probably not," said the 2008 MVP. He's right.

The Lakers are getting out-played in this series. Kobe Bryant has struggled. His teammates have been inconsistent. Even with a 19-point early lead and a 14-point advantage in the final period, the Celtics clawed their way back into the game to fall into a 90-90 deadlock. That was without Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, and with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett plagued by foul trouble.

And they still managed to make the game competitive in the final minutes. Bryant saved the Lakers in the final minute with a reach-from-behind steal, leading to a breakaway dunk at the other end, effectively nailing in the coffin for the game. However, many questions still arise for L.A, despite the win.

Can Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom play well in the noisy Boston crowd? Have the Lakers definitively reversed the trend of sluggish third quarters? Will Kobe's supporting cast knock down open shots? Can Kobe Bryant be a consistent scorer for all 48 minutes with that swarming Boston defense?

It will be difficult and arduous for L.A. to win a game -- let alone two -- in Boston. Kobe Bryant has made note in losses that Doc Rivers keeps on sending two or three guys at him. To me, he shouldn't be complaining. You could throw five guys at Michael Jordan. He still found a way to help his team win. In his heyday, Shaquille O'Neal was double- and triple-teamed the entire game. He still got it done. If he can't find an opening, he should pass it to his teammates. They gave him a 24-point lead in the first half of Game 4, without Bryant registering a field goal.

I question the decisions that have been made by Phil Jackson throughout this series. Last night, he put Chris Mihm -- a player who has missed the whole year -- into the game. This is the NBA Finals. It's an elimination game. You don't put in someone who hasn't played all year in the game. Mihm looked confused and lost on the floor, picking up two fouls in less than three minutes.

Moreover, I do not see why Phil Jackson had Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic on Paul Pierce. Pierce got to the basket at will, on his way to a 38-point performance. I would not put Walton or Vujacic on Paul Pierce. Kobe Bryant is the only player who can guard a player of that stature. If Bryant is in foul trouble, I'd send two or three defenders to Pierce. Make some other guy beat you.

The good news for Los Angeles is that Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol played magnificently last night, giving them some confidence going into Boston. Doc Rivers conceded that the Lakers were the more physical team. The bad news is that Boston has been the more physical team this series by far. It looked as if the Lakers could have blown out the C's every single game at home. What happened was that Boston wiped off every bit of that lead and did not give them any comfort.

Although Boston has tied the most losses in the playoffs (nine), it is hard to see Los Angeles coming out victorious in this series. I'd expect a focused squad of C's tomorrow night. They still have the edge in this series. If you don't believe me, just ask Paul Pierce.

"It still feels like we have the advantage in the series," Pierce said, "and I do feel like we're the better team."

Change of Venue Leads to L.A. Win

Facing a 0-2 series deficit, the Los Angeles Lakers faced an all but must-win game last night. In front of their home crowd and multiple celebrities at STAPLES Center, the Lakers were the most aggressive team from the get-go. They rode on the coattails of Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic to a win. They are right back in the NBA Finals.

There was no complaints from Phil Jackson, who was quite vocal of the officiating after Game 2. This comes on the heels of the Tim Donaghy's assertion of playoff games fixed be officials. There was no reason to, after L.A. shot 22 shots from the charity stripe compared to seven for Boston in the first half. However, Jackson should be upset that for all of the trips the purple-and-gold made to the line, they simply could not deliver. The Lakers were just 62 percent from the line.

Kobe Bryant was just 11-for-18 from the free-throw line, but in his own words, "at least I got there." He got there because he was aggressive from the start of the game, posting up several Boston defenders in the paint. Of Bryant's 20 shots, 10 came from the paint. Bryant was able to find the cracks in the defense last night. When the Boston defenders collapsed, he hit his shooters. The most notable was Sasha Vujacic, the reserve guard who scored a surprising 20 points.

The Lakers still have holes to fill if they want to win this series. Their frontline was not productive. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol combined for just 13 points. The Celtics held the lead for a sizable portion of the third and fourth quarters. Boston was within two points with less than two minutes to go despite the L.A. free-throws, despite the lackadaisical play of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

With Paul Pierce, it appeared he was a step slow last night -- possibly a resurrection of his right ankle sprain in Game 1. As far as Kevin Garnett, for whatever reason, he did not want to be aggressive. KG spent most of his night shooting long jump-shots (which he isn't very efficient with, anyways). The Celtics did not have a low-post presence last night. Kevin Garnett played like a small forward last night. He needs to be more assertive and aggressive if the Celtics are to steal a game in L.A.

The Tim Donaghy scandal came at such a worse time. The NBA got exactly what they wanted, the Lakers and the Celtics, two former juggernauts in the past. David Stern wanted a perfect Finals after the Donaghy scandal erupted. But this Finals series doesn't look nearly as good as it looked a week ago. We know that much for sure.

Celtics Hang to 2-0 Lead

With all of the questions of Paul Pierce's knee injury in Game 1, the superiority of the Los Angeles Lakers after a defeat, and so on, the Boston Celtics affirmatively sent the message that they showed better effort on both ends of the court.

For 40 minutes.

After leading by 24 points with less than eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Lakers stormed back, riding the coattails of Kobe Bryant's 13 fourth-quarter points. Bryant was also able to dish to his teammates for seven triples in the final period, tying a Finals record. With 38 seconds remaining, Bryant hit two free-throws to pull within 104-102. They got no closer. Paul Pierce hit two crucial free-throws with 22 seconds left to ice the game.

Ultimately, though, a quarter of excellent play did not compensate for three quarters of lackadaisical play. The Lakers go back to STAPLES Center with an 0-2 deficit going back home, a hole only three teams in the NBA Finals have dug themselves out of and won the series.

Although The Truth led Boston with 28 points, it was Leon Powe who was the unexpected hero of Game 2. Powe simply out-worked the Lakers, on his way to 21 points in merely 15 minutes. Powe shot a nearly perfect six-of-seven from the field, and made 13 trips to the free-throw line. With one of the most compelling stories of the NBA, Powe had a game to remember. Unfortunately, the Lakers had a comeback that will not be remembered.

Rajon Rondo led the way for Boston, with 16 assists last night. In addition, Rondo had his own highlight when Kevin Garnett gave Rondo a football pass for an easy dunk. The skinny 6'1" guard showed that he can get up there.

The Boston bench outscored the L.A. bench, 35-23. For all of the talk of a superior Lakers bench, it has come to no avail thus far.

Phil Jackson was visibly disgruntled with the officiating, saying that the calls were "unbelievable." The 28 free-throw attempt disparity between the two clubs is questionable at best. Kobe Bryant got into early foul-trouble, which was a major factor as to why the Celtics were able to jump out to an early lead. The refs should let the players that got the teams to the Finals play. A foul with minimal contact should not be called on the biggest stage in basketball.

Kobe Bryant had 30 points, but struggled the majority of the game. In fact, Bryant has not been able to go off on the Celtics at any point during this series. That is not a coincidence, it is a trend. In the 2004 Finals, Tayshaun Prince was able to hold Kobe Bryant on the ropes for the entire series, as he averaged just 22 points in the Finals. Like in 2004, the suffocating Celtics defense could have such a tight stranglehold on Kobe Bryant.

For the Lakers, there are a plethora of adjustments to be made. A better commitment needs to be made on both ends of the court. For the first three quarters, it appeared as though the Celtics were getting everything that they wanted. This was especially true in transition. The Celtics would get either a layup or an open three virtually every time. There needs to be more effort for the Lakers.

Any complaint the Lakers have about the officiating will not receive much merit. A championship team should be able to overcome things like bad officiating and bad shooting nights. In the first two games of the Finals, the Lakers have proven nothing. If they continue to whine and not show effort defensively, this may be a quick series.

Truth Be Told

The NBA Finals started last night, with the Boston Celtics hosting the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. Boston defeated the Lakers, 98-88, in a game that will be remembered for Paul Pierce's valiant effort after he sprained his right knee in the third quarter. Pierce landed awkwardly on teammate Kendrick Perkins, attempting to challenge a shot by Kobe Bryant. He clutched his knee after the collision, and had to be taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. However, less than two minutes later, The Truth came hopping out onto the court, reminiscent of Willis Reed.

The game was fairly balanced for the majority of the game. Despite the fact that Kobe Bryant went two-for-eight from the field in the first quarter, Boston held just a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Sam Cassell showed why he has two rings in his collection. Cassell had the ability to post up the likes of Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar and shoot the turnaround jumper, on his way to eight points. The Celtics also out-played the Lakers' role players. Sasha Vujacic was just two-for-seven from the field and Fisher had two points after scoring 13 in the first half.

Despite Bryant's continuing struggles, he was able to get Pau Gasol involved in a couple of pick-and-rolls, which lead to an L.A. lead at the break. With just under seven minutes to go in the third quarter, Bryant hit a fade away jumper to give L.A. a 62-58 lead. Pierce had to be carried off the court by his teammates, and the Boston crowd appeared to be deflated.

"I thought that was it," Pierce said. "I mean, I thought ... a lot of things going through my mind. I thought I tore something. Once I heard the pop, and I couldn't move it at first, I thought that was it."

Less than a minute later, Ray Allen hit a big three-pointer to tie the game up at 62. Then, a raucous ovation recognized Double P's return to the court. He had a pad on his right knee, and appeared to be shaken up. But he knew he was fine.

From then on, the Celtics played inspired basketball, which led them to a Game 1 win. Paul Pierce hit two consecutive threes to close out the third quarter with a five-point lead for the C's. The momentum carried into the fourth quarter. With less than nine minutes to go, James Posey hit a cold-blooded three to give Boston an eight-point lead, their largest of the night. The Celtics never relinquished that lead.

The night was finished, rather fittingly, with an exclamation point. With less than two minutes to play, James Posey missed a three-pointer. Kevin Garnett leaped for the board and put the ball down ferociously over Pau Gasol. The Boston crowd sensed a win, and now stand three wins away from their first NBA Title since 1984.

All the credit in the world goes to the Celtics and Doc Rivers. He was able to throw different players at Kobe Bryant: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and James Posey. Kobe finished just nine-for-26 from the field for 24 points, a sub-par game for the MVP. None one else on the Lakers scored more than 15, while Boston had their Big Three combine for 65 points.

For the Lakers, I would not worry about their defense. They held them under 100 points, and Boston just shot 42% from the field. The problem is that L.A. was just able to get 88 points on the board. Kobe Bryant did have his share of highlights, but was not aggressive enough. The Lakers were just three-of-14 from downtown. A lot of the three-point shooting from Fisher, Vujacic, Vladimir Radmanovic, and so on comes off of Kobe's penetration.

The Lakers can still win this series, but the Celtics have drawn first blood. They are riding a wave of confidence. This will be a long series.

Oh, They Need the J?

Recent rumors have swirled about whether or not Chicago and Miami are in the midst of trade talks involving Dwyane Wade. I am not going to entertain such an asinine and ludicrous assertion. Wade himself has said he finds the rumors particularly puzzling; and Pat Riley has confirmed that his name has not been in trade rumors. I'm tired of hearing these "D-Rose for D-Wade" rumors. Rose cannot be at the level of Dwyane Wade in his first year, and probably not in the future.

A rumor that appears to be more credible is the idea of OJ Mayo. Mayo has become good friends with Wade, as the two have been working out in Chicago this summer. The Heat will also take a look at the guard out of Southern Cal in Chicago in the imminent future. It is pretty evident that the Heat like this kid. Possibly even more than Derrick Rose. And although I haven't been the first the jump on the OJ Mayo bandwagon, I can see why Pat Riley wants him.

One of the major reasons Miami is looking at him is because of his three-point shooting. The problem with a starting lineup involving Wade and Rose is that no one will be able to drain a three. Shawn Marion is too inconsistent with those ugly shooting mechanics. Will everyone just go one-on-one on offense? Somehow, I have a feeling the Heat do not want to emulate a weaker version of the Denver Nuggets.

OJ Mayo shot 41% from downtown as a freshman at Southern Cal. Although the three-point line will be farther in the NBA, Mayo has consistently shown his superiority from downtown. With Mayo, Dwyane Wade will have someone who he can kick the ball out to. It will be someone who can come off a screen and hit a jumper. That is not Derrick Rose's game. Rose needs the ball in his hands to score. In Miami, he would have to change his game.

The advantages to an OJ Mayo selection do not stop there. OJ Mayo is a hell of an athlete, giving Miami some much-needed athleticism and youth. He has good size for a point guard, at 6'4 1/2" with shoes. He will have the ability to defend some of the bigger guards in this League, a unique characteristic among point guards. I have heard people compare him to Chauncey Billups, Andre Miller, and Deron Williams. Those are not overstatements.

The Heat need someone to shoot the jumper. Miami's goodbyes to Jason Kapono, James Posey, Eddie Jones, and Damon Jones, among others, have caused Pat Riley to regret his decisions. It has also taken Miami to the bottom of the League. Mayo not only offers the jump shot, he offers so much more. He can take the ball one-on-one when Wade is out of the game and create some offense himself. He uses his strength to overpower smaller guards; and his foot-speed to blow by bigger ones.

Moreover, Mayo also is a good defender. This has become a guard's game now, and having capable defenders is all the more important. It would take a while to name all of the superior guards this League has to offer. I have not seen many elite offensive players actually like to play defense. Mayo loves to play defense. I wouldn't be surprised if Erik Spoelstra had him guard Kobe Bryant. A 6'4", 6'5" Mayo is not giving a lot of room to a 6'6" Kobe Bryant.

Mayo offers the complete package. If Pat Riley was smart, he would take him. Even if Chicago picked Michael Beasley.

Historic

For the first time ever in the Western World, an African American candidate has been nominated by a major political party for the nation's highest office. History was written yesterday, when Senator Barack Obama clinched the number of delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination.

This is nothing short of an unprecedented, historic moment for every single person living on this planet. There are 15-year-olds in Kenya celebrating right now. The news of Sen. Obama's lock of the nomination was on the front page of every single newspaper that went out today. This goes to show that no matter what, people can achieve greatness through hard work. We can truly say that America is the land of Opportunity.

Unfortunately, most news stories are more concerned with speculation on what Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's next move will be than a monumental moment in American history. When asked on whether the Obama campaign would comment on Sen. Clinton's remark that she would be "open" to the vice presidential slot, chief campaign strategist David Axelrod said, "We just want to savor this night."

And the night was savored by Barack Obama. In St. Paul, Minnesota, the location of the Republican National Convention in September, Obama formally announced that he is the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. Obama was very gracious to Sen. Clinton, frequently powdering her with compliments. He focused on the differences between himself and Sen. John McCain, as he pivots to the general election. Sen. McCain, in a speech the night before, said the general election was the choice between "the right kind of change and the wrong kind of change." In addition, Obama spoke about issues that could be considered Sen. Clinton's strong suit, such as universal health care reform.

Now, the race is between Barack Obama and John McCain. Some say that Obama has several divisions to heal, as some Clinton supporters yelled "Den-ver! Den-ver!" during her speech last night (Denver, Colorado is the sight of the Democratic National Convention). I have told this to several people and cannot reiterate it enough. If you are satisfied with the way this country is going, vote for John McCain. If not, vote for Obama. The choice is pretty cut-and-dry, actually.

The Clinton supporters who are supposedly going to vote for McCain are hypocrites. First of all, they say that they are Democrats; and they are not going to support their own party. Second of all, they have said that they are tired of the old Bush policies that have plagued this country. And now they are going to vote for the candidate that has voted 95% in line with George W. Bush? If John McCain is elected, then this country get what it deserves.

Yesterday will be viewed as the day in which Americans decided to get passed the so-called justice of the Jena Six and the Sean Bell incident to elect a man who represents change for this country.