On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Spurs in Game 5 to advance to the NBA Finals. On Friday, the Boston Celtics topped the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 to meet the Lakers in the 2008 Finals. With the NBA championship on the line, the NBA’s two most storied franchises will face off.
Both teams entered the playoffs as the number one seed in their conference. The Lakers came out of the Western Conference by leaning on Kobe Bryant’s MVP skills. The Celtics are led by the trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
Boston’s …read more

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 100-92 to beat the Spurs 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers now advance to the NBA Final to play the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals.
2008 NBA MVP Kobe Bryant led the way with 39 points, as he once again proved he’s the best player in the world. He was ruthless in the fourth quarter and single-handedly sent the Spurs packing.
In the East, the Boston Celtics lead the Detroit Pistons 3-2. The Celtics will look to close it out on Friday in Detroit. …read more

According to a report in a Brazilian publication, San Antonio Spurs 2007 draft pick Tiago Splitter has decided to re-sign with his Spanish team Tau Ceramica. Splitter, who was picked in the first round by the Spurs, had earlier said he expected to sign with the Spurs for the 2007-08 season.
This could be a big blow for the Spurs because Splitter has long been regarded as one of the best prospects in Europe. He’s a mobile center who is already a very good defender. His offense is solid but it remains unpolished.
With the Spurs trailing in the …read more

Kendrick Perkins, the young center for the Boston Celtics, has opened some eyes during the playoffs. He’s been a tough, physical player for the Celtics in the middle. He has also been heard numerous times speaking his mind to teammates and opponents.
This latest video shows Perkins dunking during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals and then yelling to his teammates the phrase: “F— These Fools!”
As a fantasy basketball player, Perkins is getting better and better. While he was only a borderline fantasy player during the 2007-08 season, Perkins appears to be improving on a nightly basis. …read more

Check out this video of Jason Maxiell blocking Kevin Garnett during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Garnett was alone on a fast break until Maxiell caught up and blocked him from behind. Maxiell’s block seemed to set the tone as the Detroit Pistons whipped the Boston Celtics by a final score of 94-75.
While obviously Garnett is a very good fantasy basketball player, Maxiell is starting to come into his own as a decent fantasy option. During the regular season, Maxiell averaged 7.9 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 53.8% from the field. He also …read more

Chauncey Billups has been slowed in recent games and there are some whispers that Rodney Stuckey is the Detroit Pistons’ best point guard at the moment. Billups injured his hamstring against the Orlando Magic in the second round and hasn’t been the same since returning.
In Game 3 against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, Billups had one of the worst games of his Pistons career. In 27 minutes, Billups had only six points and four assists, while shooting 1-for-6 from the floor. The Pistons ended up losing the game at home and now trail the …read more

The Eastern Conference Finals is set and has the Detroit Pistons going against the Boston Celtics. The Pistons reached the Eastern Conference Finals by beating the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round and the Orlando Magic in the second round. The Celtics arrive after beating the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Since the Celtics finished with the better record, they’ll have homecourt advantage in this series. While the Celtics will be favored due to their homecourt advantage, there are reasons to believe that the Pistons can give the Celtics a run for their money.
First of all, the …read more

Mike D’Antoni of the Phoenix Suns has reportedly coached his final game for the Suns. On Tuesday night, D’Antoni and the Suns were eliminated from the 2008 NBA playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs after losing Game 5 92-87.
If the reports are true and D’Antoni is let go, there could be major changes in store for the Suns. With fantasy basketball in mind, this could be devastating news for players on the Suns. D’Antoni’s free flowing offensive sets allowed the Suns to have some of the best fantasy players in the game over the last few years.

Steve …read more

The 2008 NBA playoffs are set. Although the end of the regular season means the end of the fantasy basketball season for almost everybody, let’s take a look at the first round of the playoffs. Who will win each series?
Western Conference
1) Los Angeles Lakers
8) Denver Nuggets
Prediction: Lakers in six. The Nuggets have no one to guard Kobe Bryant and Bryant will destroy the Nuggets’ porous defense.
2) New Orleans Hornets
7) Dallas Mavericks
Prediction: Mavs in six. Dallas will get revenge for last year’s first round flameout by pulling an upset of their own.
3) San Antonio Spurs
6) …read more