Mon, April 24, 06 from Moose
 
Eastern Conference:

Milwaukee Bucks (40-42) v. the Detroit Pistons (64-18). Well Andrew Bogut, Bucks
Centre/F, there's sure no pressure on your guys! Nobody on this planet will even think of picking Brew town's NBA'er's to win verses the team with the best record in the NBA this year. Virginia's Big Ben Wallace is on another mission and time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted as Bo Gritz says. The Bucks are not that bad and certainly Bogut's two broken noses and facial surgery didn't help the program. Either way the Bucks are playing for next year. Prediction: Pistons in five.

Washington Buzzards (or is it Lizards?) (42-40) v. the Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32). LeBron James will be a human highlight real, but is his 'D' REAL? We'll find out how good he REALLY si versus a sub par Washington squad that benefited from playing in a bad division, and having a weak schedule down the stretch - also from good Coaching from former Nets player Eddie Jordan and the great Gilbert Arenas!

There could be an upset in the making here as well. I will play it safe and Predict: Cleveland by a 4-3 count but James in no Craig Ehlo on Defence! He's not even as good as Clips Eric Piatkowski in his prime! If Zydrunus Ilgauskas is off the Cavs could be bounced in the first round...

Indiana Pace(Mak)ers (41-41) v. New Jersey Nets (49-33). The big temptation  is to expect the Nets to fold with a backcourt of Vince (Softie) Carter and seemingly over-the-hill Jason Kidd(ney) v. the youth of the P's backcourt. But Lawrence (Opie) Frank has done a wonderful job of constructing a deeper than they seem Nets club that finished the season with 11 wins in their last 12 games. Expect Austin (Concussions) Croshere (French for Tod Murphy), Jermaine O'Neal and  Co. to help keep it close for Larry Legend and former Virginia star Rick Carlisle's boys from Peyton Manning's place. Prediction: Nets in six, + an O.T.

Chicago Bulls (41-41) v. Miami Heat (52-30). Even without Chesapeake's Alonzo Mourning out for a while longer with a partial tear of his right calf, the Heat are well stocked with Mike Doleac and Udonnis (Mouthpiece thrower) Haslem up front behind overrated (and overweight) Shaq O'Neal. J-Will, Over-the-Hill Gary Payton and Co. will get the Heat past the Baby Bulls - or will they? Even with the Bulls not able to get much out of back-ravaged Pike Piatkowski, they still have Hinrich, Duhon, Gordon, Nocioni and some solid vets. I think we may see  a real upset here - Bulls in six + one or two O.T.s!

Western Conference:

L.A. fLakers (44-38) v. the Phoenix Suns (52-30). Canadian Steve Nash tries to win his second straight M.V.P. He won't. Old buddy Dirk Nowitszki of Dallas probably will (but Elton Brand of the CLippers PROBABLY should). The Suns especially with Amon Stoutamire back should basically roll over the L's and Kobe 'what's-his-name'. Prediction: Suns in five (I'm being kind).

Sacramento Kings (44-38) v. Defending Champ San Antonio Spurs (63-19). The F known now as just Ron Artest (the Artest formerly known as Ron "Arrest") has lead the Kings on a 24-16 tear since being acquired for Peja 'what's-his-name' back in Feb. It may be enough to save Coach Rick Adeled-brains' job but don't expect much from this Series. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobilli and Co. will be hard to stop. Prediction: San Antonio in four!

Memphis formerly Vancouver Grizzlies (49-33) v. Dallas Mavericks (60-22). Don't think F Pau Gasol and Co. have much chance v. Avery Johnson's Mavericks? Think again. I think they can win this Series. I know it's not 'Irk Nowitszki & 'Allas anymore but I think the Mavs are ripe for an upset. Prediction: Memphis in seven + an overtime.

Denver Nuggets (45-37) v. Los Angeles Clippers (47-35). Whew! It took a while. Nine Years to be exact. The Clippers were last in the NBA playoffs when Eric Piatkowski and Brent Barry were in the backcourt. And last won a playoff  game when they defeated Houston (but lost Series, 3-2) in a game in '93. The big difference the last three years in getting the program back on line was hiring Mike Dunleavy, Sr. as Coach. The Clippers have been the best Pro Basketball team in L.A. the last two years. Carmelo Anthony v. Elton Brand will be a match up worth watching. Too bad the Lakers won't be around in round two to play the Clippers in a REAL battle of L.A. in the playoffs. I't'd be the snobs from Hollywood v. the working class stiffs. Prediction: L.A. in five over Denver.

The Los Angeles/San Diego Clippers, Buffalo Braves Franchise History: Best Seasons: 1975: 49 wins, 33 losses, 3-4 playoff mark, 1976: 46-36, 4-5 in playoffs, 1992: 45-37, 2-3 in playoffs, 1979: 43-39, 2006: 47-35 (1-0 so far in playoffs), 1993: 41-41, 2-3 in playoffs, 1974: 42-40, 2-4 in playoffs, 2002: 39-43, 2005: 37-45, 1997: 36-46, 0-3 in playoffs (Other years combined: 0 playoffs, 629-1,472,.375)

Los Angeles Clippers Alltime Career Leaders, Eric [Pike] Piatkowski and (below) Elton Brand, who should be M.V.P. this year!

Eric Piatkowski, Games Played: 616, 3-pt. FGs made: 738, 3 pt. FGs Attempted: 1,835, 3-pt. FG percentage: .402%.

Elton Brand, Scoring Average: 19.2 pts. per game, Blocked Shots: 644, Free Throws Made: 1,408, Free Throws Attempted: 2,221, Offencive Rebounds, 1,244, Total Rebounds, 3,112:" Moose

From Moose "NBA Playoff Preview - Teams and Conferences now, Series later"

My NBA Best of's for the Year 2006:

Coach of the Year: Mike Dunleavy, Sr., Los Angeles Clippers. Let's see; the Clips have already won 46 games and could tie their alltime high of 49 before the year is over. Even with all the injuries they've had. Elton Brand is a ligitamate M.V.P. choice. In three years Dunleavy, an ex-11-yr NBA left-handed three-point shooting guard, who helped the Rockets to the NBA Finals in the '80's, has turned the Clips around. They've been the best team in L.A.  the last two years. Take that Kobe!

M.V.P. - Elton Brand, Forward Los Angeles Clippers. Quick, name the only NBA player that is in the top 10 in eight categories...Yep, El 'B'. Has consistently averaged 25 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game this year. Still hasn't peaked.

"Moose you Lakers hater Kobe should win the MVP!" Myk Aussie

Rookie-Of-The Year: Andrew Bogut, Forward/Centre, Milwaukee (see below). They said he wouldn't start. He's been a starter all year. They said he was to slow for the NBA. Wrong again. If he had Tod Murphy(Golden St.)'s jumper, he'd be on everybody's wish list for NBA players! Wait about two years! He'll make them a contender yet!

Western Conference:

Defending Champ San Antonio - If Tim Duncan stays healthy, they'll contend. Period. Deep, Talented and with the outside shooting to keep opposing offences honest. If they aren't playing Detroit for the title, again, call out a Congressional Investigation!

Dallas - No More 'Allas'. Even 'Irk Nowitskzi" is playing Defense now. And the trades they've made have actually helped. Maybe Don Nelson isn't that BAD a G.M. after all. Seriously, they won't make it to the Conference Championship but Avery Johnson's guys will have fun!

Phoenix - Steve Nash, the Canadian Flashguys have gone cold. Not quite cold enough for the Clippers to catch them, but they have lost 5 of the last 8. And Stoutamire is back! What gives. Were they really that good to start with? As the stomach turns. They will not get by the Spurs, Avericks or Clippers. Second round (or first?) roadkill.

Los Angeles Clippers - The surprise team of the year. Even with umpteen injuries, simply the best Coached team on the planet. Coach of the Year (should be) Dunleavy is getting better all the time! They have arguably the best player in the League in Elton Brand, in the top 10 in eight different catagories. If only number two gun Corey maggette could have been healthy. They'll make a run but one year away from contending for it all. It's been a good year for 'Clipper Nation.!

Memphis - A unknown deal here. They could be the dark horse to go all the way (see Clippers above). And like L.A., they have a great Forward in Pau Gasol. Not much depth, but good Defencive squad with three-point and free-throw shooting excellence. Watch these guys!

Denver, the L.A. Lakers, Sacramento, Utah(?!). The last three spots still up for grabs, but only Denver out of these teams has any chance to get to round two above the gems above. Kobe will score a ton and give back one-and-a-half-tons. Why should he get M.V.P for scoring 81 points in ONE game? The worst team in L.A. for two years running and they have no bench. Utah has too many Caucasians ("White guys you mean Moose. What White guys can't play as well you are saying! Yep I suppose you are right there" Myk) and Sacramento has a number one liability in Arrest, er, ah, Artest. These guys will all be watching on T.V. come round two. Sorry, Carmelo... game!

Eastern Conference:

Detroit - Like the Redwings in the NHL, it'll surprise many if the Pistons don't get by all the riff-raff and pretenders in the East and cruise to their third straight Championship Series appearance. Too strong, too deep but if Mr. Technical Foul, Rashed Wallace screws things up'll be the only thing to stop 'Em. Real proud here in Virginia of our guy Ben Wallace (& Co.). See, even Fred 'Flip' Saunders can't screw these guys chemistry up! 

Miami - Gary Payton, promptly retire after these guys flame out v. Detroit. Take Shaq and Mr. Plastic Hair/Coach with you! Without Chesapeake's Alonso Mourning, like forget it! A second round kill for sure. Overrated to the max w/out Zo.

New Jersey - That Coach Opie has done real well, hasn't he. I love Lawrence Frank. Best (and last) shot for Jason, The Kidd, Vince Skywalker and Co - for now. Cleveland - I really am not that big a fan of Mr. No Defence, Kid (not King!) James, who I think is still a mite overrated, but with Big Z playin' great in the middle and that excellent bench, they might pull it off. James is a good Man-Child, but his ego will really go through the roof if they win it all. Detroit will stop 'Em!

Washington - They have my third favorite (non-Clipper) player in the League in Gilbert Arenas. Also a fine Coaching staff under Eddie Jordan. But no real Centre and no bench to speak of. Second round kill, if they make it that far. Expect Mike O'Koren to get H.Coaching interviews this summer

Chicago - Well, well, well. It seemed that the Bull (bleeps) were about to fire  Scott Skiles (Mr. former 33 assists in a game for the NBA record), and go in the tank. Then they turned it around. Awesome guard rotation. Even better than with Jordan/Kerr/Harper, et, al back in the heyday '90's. Kiwi Luke Schenscher  is starting to assert himself in the middle. He's a year away! If only Piatkowski's back were right. They need his height, threepoint shooting and free throw %. Too little, too late. It's been a great 13-yr ride, Pike. Adios.....

Indiana - If Austin Croshere (French for Tod Murphy) were not suffering from concussion syndrome and they still had what's his name, they would challenge for the NBA title. Sorry Virginia's Rick Carlisle and Capt'n Larry Legend - The

Bucks. Stops in the first round, maybe in five games. Milwaukee - Even two broken noses (he HAS two noses?) and facial surgery didn't keep underrated Andrew Aussie Bogut from leading the Bucks to the eighth seed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks make the first playoffs in five years only to get bounced in round two." Moose

Chris Wilcox, F, Seattle, who played for  the Clippers for four-and-one-half years scored 30 points in a game for the Super Sonics two weeks ago and I failed to mention it. Mea Culpa, Chris. Chris played NCAA hoops at the University of Maryland.

NBA Hoops Notes: Playoff Teams cinched: L.A. Clippers, Miami, Detroit, Defending Champ San Antonio, Dallas, New Jersey (gave Coach Lawrence [Opie] Frank his 100th win last week. It was the fastest a N.J./N.Y. Nets Coach ever reached the 100 wins mark. Way to go Lawrence!), Phoenix, Denver, Memphis, Cleveland...six more to go...Any more California Teams going?

The Los Angeles / San Diego Clippers - Buffalo Braves Franchise History: Best Seasons: 1975: 49 wins, 33 losses, 3-4 playoff mark, 1976: 46-36, 4-5 in playoffs, 1992: 45-37, 2-3 in playoffs, 1979: 43-39, 2006: 42-30 (?? in playoffs), 1993: 41-41, 2-3 in playoffs, 1974: 42-40, 2-4 in playoffs, 2002: 39-43, 2005: 37-45, 1997: 36-46, 0-3 in playoffs (Other years combined: 0 playoffs, 629-1,472,.375)

Los Angeles Clippers Alltime Career Leaders, Eric [Pike] Piatkowski and (below) Elton Brand, who should be M.V.P. this year!

Eric Piatkowski, Games Played: 616, 3-pt. FGs made: 738, 3 pt. FGs Attempted: 1,835, 3-pt. FG percentage: .402%

Elton Brand, Scoring Average: 19.2 pts. per game, Blocked Shots: 644, Free Throws Made: 1,408, Free Throws Attempted: 2,221, Offensive Rebounds, 1,244, Total Rebounds, 3,112" Moose