Tracy McGrady

2009 Lakers Rockets Playoff Matchup

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Lakers Rockets 2009

2009 Lakers Rockets Playoff Matchup

In 2009 the Lakers were thought to be the team to beat. They had won over 60 games and were second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers in total wins in the NBA that year. It was thought little stood in their way between the start of the playoffs and an NBA finals appearance against the winner of the eastern conference. The experts were wrong. The Lakers Rockets playoff match up proved to be a great series and almost sent the Lakers home for the summer.

The 2009 Rockets were not considered favorites in the playoffs, in fact many thought the Lakers would beat them in five games. The Rockets were without the oft injured Tracy Mcgrady for the whole series and lost Yao Ming after game three of the series. After Yao Ming was injured many thought the series was all but over, they were in for a surprise.

Even though they were down 2-1 when they lost their superstar center, the Rockets were able to extend the series to seven games. Ron Artest was key to helping the Houston Rockets stay in this series. He played defense against anybody he was asked to cover … Read more at FryingPanSports

Rumors and Dis-information rule the NBA Draft talk.

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Blake Griffin NBA Draft

Rumors and Dis-information rule the NBA Draft talk.

NOTE: Niblets will become a once a month feature starting on the first Saturday in July.

How do you know if a politician is lying to you? Are his lips moving? The same thing can be said for NBA general managers and coaches leading up to draft time.

Even so, the rumors are flying and some of them are interesting. As I reported earlier this week, one has the Suns trading PF Amar’e Stoudemire to Minnesota for C/PF Al Jefferson and the 6th pick in this year’s draft. Humm! Stoudemire is coming off eye surgery and will be a free agent next season. The Suns have been trying to cut payroll for years. They have traded away their first round picks in most of the recent drafts. However, the Timberwolves have denied this rumor. The Suns might be thinking about keeping Shaq at C and making Jefferson the PF. Jefferson is not physical and could be more effective against 4s than 5s.

I wonder if that indicates that C Shaquille O’Neal may be on his way out of Phoenix? On that subject, Suns GM Steve Kerr admitted he has talked to … Read more at FryingPanSports