Brother's coming up in the game!

I recently played basketball with my brother, and he beat me. Twice in a row. That kid is getting better. I didn't play hard, but it was usually enough for me to give him a good drubbing on the court, but he's got some new quickness that wasn't there before. That's scary, since his shot is now pretty reliable.

I've got to get in better basketball shape. Seeing how Lebron James and Kobe Bryant are built, that's inspiring. Of course, I have a day job and can't focus on training all day, but I can make a few changes. Dropping a few pounds is a sure-fire way to jump higher. I'd probably be quicker also. I can work on my explosiveness by strengthening my muscular skeletal structure, too. Of course, I never do it, because I'm too lazy!

But my shooting form is back, at least. Now I just need the rest of my game back. Then I'll be ready to kick some ass. No real whole court games for me for the next 6 months, though. That's a hell of a lot of time to get into game shape. Let's just hope I actually do it.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Brandon Roy is a BEAST!

Brandon Roy is a beast of a basketball player. I can end my blog post there. I don't have to talk about Joe P changing shots in the paint. Or about LaMarcus Aldrige having a great game. Or how the Houston Rockets have to get the ball to Yao Ming more. Brandon Roy is a beast. That's all I need to say.

But of course I will say more.

I'm a fan of both the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trailblazers. I don't really know which team I'm leaning towards. On the one hand, I'd love it if Houston got out of the first round, just because Tracy McGrady is injured, and Yao Ming is such a nice guy, he deserves it. On the other, RIP CITY. Brandon Roy has really stepped up, and when you see this guy, he's just oozing with talent. The Portland Trailblazers are one of the more exciting teams to watch. Rudy Fernandez, Greg Oden, Roy.. these guys put the fans in the seats.

Also, whoever comes out of this round is the only team in the West that has a chance to match up to the Lakers. No other team is long enough and big enough to give the Lakers a run for their money. But we'll talk about that some other time. Because I have to get to work.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Where Lebron James' Cavaliers sweep the Detroit Pistons happens

I guess everyone in the basketball world saw it coming. Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons today, making it the only sweep in these NBA Playoffs so far. Lebron was amazing. The guy almost had a triple double with 36 points, 13 boards, and 8 assists. Sometimes, you wonder if he can win it all 1 on 5. That guy is that good.

Rasheed Wallace was held scoreless, too. I don't know whether to credit Cleveland's great defense or just chalk it up to the fact that Rasheed didn't come to play. That's disappointing. I don't have any problems seeing Lebron's brilliance totally dominate a team, but at least put up a fight. This is the NBA! Fans pay good money to see a basketball game, not a let-down!

Man, that Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups trade really didn't work out, did it? Totally screwed the Detroit Pistons over. And now look where the Denver Nuggets are. But I guess Joe has his reasons.

Either way, it's Cleveland Cavaliers against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. You heard it here first.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Chicago Bulls beat Boston Celtics in Game 4, Double OT

This was a basketball game for the ages. To be totally honest, I never expected this to be much of a series, but this Bulls team is letting the Celtics know they're in for a fight. Ben Gordon hit a three-pointer to tie the game at the first overtime, and the Chicago Bulls never trailed. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce did their best, but it's anybody's game when it's that close, and John Salmons closed it out for the Bulls. He made four free throws in the final minute and blocked Paul Pierce's potential tying three-pointer.

So what's giving the Boston Celtics so much trouble? They're the defending champions. This young Bulls team should be a cake-walk for them!

No Kevin Garnett, that's what. Garnett is the heart and soul of the Celtics, and they only go where he can take them. Right now, he's injured at the sidelines, so that doesn't bode well for the Celtics. Also, while we know that Chicago is a pretty athletic team, who knew they'd be so tough as well? Joakin Noah, whose name I have trouble pronouncing, is actually a presence, if you play him with Tyrus Thomas. John Salmons isn't backing down from anybody, and ROSE! Rose looks like he has no idea he's playing against the defending champs. That guy has ice in his veins, even though he's so far been outplayed by Rajon Rondo. The Celtics are over, whether or not they win this series. At least they got one championship out of the Big Three experiment.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Kobe Bryant scores 38 against Utah Jazz Game 4

I don't really know what to say about Kobe Bryant's 38 point game against the Utah Jazz. The man was brilliant. Deron Williams did what he could. Carlos Boozer did what he could. But you don't win against the Los Angeles Lakers when Kobe Bryant's got it going like that. No way. Not a chance. That was just some amazing individual basketball.

I was watching the highlights, and I swear, Ronnie Brewer was doing a good job defensively, he just really didn't have a chance. They could've triple-teamed Kobe and he still would have found a way to get the ball into the basket. It was just that kind of night for him. The guy is too good.

How does this all help me? Well, I'm inspired. I'm going to practice those moves Kobe used in Games 1-4 of the series. Besides that, I'm going to be working on my fade-away jumpshot again. That jumper can be unguardable, if I only put in the time and work I should.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Game 2

Derrick Rose has come back to Earth, but the Celtics' chances still don't look so good in this basketball series. I can't believe I'm actually saying that about the Boston Celtics! Well, OK, I can believe it. With Kevin Garnett out, that team is a shell of its former defensive self.

The Celtics took away game 2 from the Chicago Bulls, but their three starters had to play near perfect games to do it. Pierce put up his usual Paul Pierce numbers, Ray Allen was shooting lights out, and Rajon Rondo was just a whirling dervish out there. Still, you have to wonder if Pierce can keep it up. If Allen will be as accurate this whole series. If Rondo's gimpy ankle won't give out on him pretty soon. And let us not forget, Derrick Rose was very quiet in this game.

So what happens when the Celtics come down to Earth to join Derrick Rose? The Bulls will win. They're younger, faster, more athletic. The Celtics are getting old, and without the defense to hold down the fort, they don't stand a chance.

Kevin Garnett must be crying his eyes out.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Where Lebron James makes us all witnesses

Have you seen the recent Cleveland Cavaliers spoof of the Heineken beer commercial? That's amazing. That's all Lebron James the King of all basketball.

When your best player wants to have fun, you all follow. And winning is fun. Dominating your opponents is ever more fun. And creating mock videos while you do it, that's even fun..ner?

Check out the video here!

It's actually pretty smart. When you're loose and relaxed, you tend to play better. Lebron James is actually telling the team "Relax. Everybody get on my back, do your part, and we'll win it all, easy." Everybody on the team is confident. Everybody on the team is having fun. And everybody on the team knows Lebron can take them to the promised land. And what's a championship without beer? Lebron is a genius. Nike is crying tears of joy right now.

I'm a witness. Man.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers dominate Utah Jazz

Don't blame it on Jerry Sloan, or Deron Williams, or Carlos Boozer. I don't think there's any team in the NBA right now that can face up to the Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Actually, I don't think there's any basketball team in NBA history that can do that.

This isn't a knock on Larry Bird's Celtics, or Magic Johnson's Lakers, or Jordan's Bulls. This Lakers team is just too good. Maybe the only team that actually is stands a chance is Lebron James' Cleveland Cavaliers. Just because King James is an athletic freak of nature out there on the basketball court.

Kobe Bryant passed the ball to this teammates at the right times, and took it strong himself when he had to. Trevor Ariza was hot from outside, Lamar Odom was Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol played his usual brand of smart, Spanish basketball, and Bynum is 7 feet tall. How are you going to stop that? The Lakers are way too long, and way too strong for the Jazz. Deron Williams is brilliant, but he can't do it on his own. Carlos Boozer? Whatever muscle he's got left, it's not nearly enough to compete with the post players of the Lakers.

I predict a quick sweep of the Utah Jazz in this series. Sorry Jazz fans.

NBA Playoffs 2009 - Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Kevin Garnett, Derrick Rose

I'll be honest. I hate the Boston Celtics. It's nothing personal. They're a storied basketball icon. KG is a beast, Paul Pierce is a great offensive player, and Ray Allen is Jesus Shuttlesworth. But they beat MY Los Angeles Lakers last year, BADLY, and that stings.

I wasn't giving the Chicago Bulls much of a chance in this one, but Derrick Rose proved me wrong. Boy, did he prove me wrong. I don't think the NBA has ever seen a rookie make a playoff debut like that before. Let's put it this way. The last time Chicago faced Boston in the NBA playoffs, it was Michael Jordan against Larry Bird. Jordan lost. But Rose? He ROSE above it. He kicked ass, took down names.

I originally thought the Celtics would make short work of the Bulls, but after hearing that Kevin Garnett wouldn't be available for the Playoffs, I'm thinking the Celtics are headed for an early exit. Too bad. I would've wanted to see Kobe Bryant's Lakers sweep them in the NBA Finals.

..Of course, I don't think LeBron James will even let the Celtics get to the NBA Finals, anyway.

Rip City is back!

Portland Trailblazers are kicking ass. Greg Oden totally dominated Andrew Bynum today, and Rudy Fernandez with that back door reverse dunk alley-oop? That's crazy stuff!

It was a pretty tight game all the way, with some really good defense on both sides. Joe Zilla is a pretty solid inside presence, same way Andrew Bynum is. Bynum seems a step slower, though. Probably because of the long layoff. In any case, give Oden one more season and he's going to be kicking both their asses. That guy was born to play basketball.

Kobe Bryant lost this game for the Lakers. I mean, I'm a huge believer in taking the shot yourself, but at least let somebody hold on to the ball for a while, just to keep the defense guessing. Pau Gasol would've made for an excellent choice. He can finish, he's a good passer; basically a bigger threat than Kobe because the Trailblazers won't be double-teaming him.

Although you all have to admit, Kobe was pretty amazing for a stretch in the fourth quarter. He just tried to do a little too much, and it backfired on him. Still, it was pretty inspiring. I went out and shot a few hoops after watching that.

Lakers and Nuggets, Kobe Bryant kicks ass!

I caught the third and fourth quarters of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets basketball game, and Kobe Bryant just blew me away. He pretty much killed the Nuggets, well, him and Pau Gasol. Kobe's a whole lot more fun to watch, though.

After the game, I just had to go out and shoot some baskets. It just rained, and the ground was wet, but that didn't matter. I went out, shot 50 baskets. I know NBA players usually shoot around 500, and I used to shoot a minimum of 200 in my day, but hey, we've all got to grow up, right?

Anyway, did pushups right after, and squats. It's not just about working on your game. You gotta take care of your body as well.

Hi! Welcome to Blog and Ball!

I've been playing basketball for 8 years now, and blogging for around the same time, so I figured I'd combine my two hobbies together for this.

I'm 5'8, 160lbs. I can play the 1-3 spot, depending on whom I'm playing against. I'm a Kobe Bryant and Lebron James fan, but I love the rest of the NBA too. I used to average 28 points a game at 58% shooting, likely due to to my NBA-like shooting practices, at pick-up games. My two biggest assets are my jumper (which I abuse) and my unshakable confidence (which I abuse as well).

This blog will be about all things basketball, with a focus on the NBA, especially the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. NBA scandals and miscues and all sorts of frivolity welcome as well.

Keep balling!