Brown stepped up the 2009 NBA playoffs and made significant contributions off the bench while Morrison continued to ride the pine.

Shannon Brown agrees to a two-year deal with the Lakers.

Phil Jackson certainly had confidence in Brown’s play. And the Lakers‘ owner took notice. As a result, Brown will receive a two-year, $4.2 million contract with the second season at his option. If he wants to build a permanent home in L.A., he’ll have the opportunity to do so. I’m sure he’s sick of bouncing from team to team. And settling in with the NBA Champs shouldn’t be too hard.

Image: Zuma

Post from: EveryJoe

Shannon Brown Finds A Home In L.A.

Orlando has superstar Dwight “Superman” Howard in the middle and great shooters surrounding him. That said, the Cavaliers are simply the better team. Here are five reasons why the Cavs are going to win this series in five games and advance to the 2009 NBA Finals:

5) Defense Wins
The Magic are a good defensive team. The Cavs are a great defensive team. The greatness will prevail.

4) Dwight Howard Isn’t Ready
Dwight Howard is already a great player but he still needs a few more years before he’s ready to lead a team to a championship.

3) Cavaliers Have Experience
The Cavs have been here before. They’ve gone through playoff battles and even made it to the NBA Finals in 2007.

2) Jameer Nelson’s Injury
The Magic have done a good job of making up for Jameer Nelson’s injury, however missing their All-Star point guard will come back to haunt them this series.

1) LeBron James
The King is the best basketball player on the planet. Period. LeBron James isn’t ready to see the Cavs’ season end.

LeBron James will Carry the Cavs to the Finals (Image: Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Cavaliers vs Magic Prediction – ECF Preview

Mike Brown 2009 NBA Coach of the Year (Image: Newscom)

At 38, Brown is one of the youngest winners of the ultimate coaching award. His dedication to defense is credited for making the Cavs a dominant defensive team. Thanks to the team’s defense and the outstanding play of LeBron James, Cleveland has home-court advantage for the duration of the 2009 NBA playoffs.

Rick Adelman of the Houston Rockets finished second in th voting, while Stan Van Gundy of the Orlando Magic came in third place.

“Mike Brown is a critical element as to why our franchise is growing into the kind of success we all envisioned and hoped to achieve,” said Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cavs, in a press release. “There is no man more deserving and it proves to the world that, yes, nice guys can indeed, finish first.”

In their first game of the playoffs, the Cavs easily toppled the Detroit Pistons.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mike Brown Named NBA Coach of the Year

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls Playoff Debut (Image: Flickr)

Perhaps even more impressively, Rose was able to lead the Chicago Bulls to a overtime victory over the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics. Entering the overtime period tied at 97, the Bulls were able to win by a final score of 105-103.

Rose, who hit 12-of-19 field goals and all 12 of his free throw attempts, successfully outplayed Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo led the Celtics with his 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Ben Gordon chipped in 20 points for the Bulls, while Paul Pierce poured in 23 points for Boston. Game 2 between these two teams will be on Monday at 7 PM EST.

Post from: EveryJoe

Derrick Rose Blossoms in First Playoff Game

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (Image: Newscom)

Out of the last 24 contests, Garnett has been forced to miss 20 of those games. He’s suffering from a right knee strain that has hampered his explosiveness and has caused quite a bit of pain.

Even without Garnett, the Celtics have the second best record in the Eastern Conference at 60-19. Although Boston doesn’t have any hope to catch the Cleveland Cavaliers, they would like to get some sort of cohesion before the beginning of the postseason.

Most league pundits give the defending NBA champions a decent shot to win back-to-back titles, although this Garnett injury is definitely worrisome. If he doesn’t return near 100%, Boston’s chances could be doomed before the playoffs even begin.

Post from: EveryJoe

Kevin Garnett to Return for One Game