Jon Pastuszek

When talking about contrasting styles, context is critical.

In the context of the NBA Playoffs, some believe contrasting styles make for highly interesting, unpredictable, and ultimately entertaining series.  In years past, we've seen such classics as Spurs-Suns, Warriors-Mavericks, Kings-Lakers, among others, series that were defined by competing tempos and strategies. 

  Have too many expectations been placed upon LeBron James?On the heels of a highly disappointing and uninspiring performance from LeBron James that has left people utterly perplexed, I’m not thinking about elbows, summer conspiracy theories or any other stuff like that.

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Miami Heat

In what is being billed as the series with the most potential for an upset, the Celtics and Heat looks to be a competitive matchup featuring two teams going in opposite directions.  The Celts have played .500 ball since the All-Star break, while the Heat have won 18 of their last 24.

The Celtics won all three of their regular season matchups.  But, if you’re a believer in the theory that regular season don’t mean jack, then this series could be for you.

Let’s go over the matchups.

The NBA season is wrapping up, which means one thing:

NBA Awards!

With no introduction needed, let's get right to it.

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron JamesSimply, there is nobody more important to his team, fans or city than James.  Due in all part to the King’s all-around magnificence, the Cavs have won 60 games for the second consecutive season and are considered a prohibitive favorite in June.  

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

--The first line of A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens

Forget the snubs for a minute (I promise we'll get to those) and focus in on the more important All-Star matter: At this point in his career, Allen Iverson can do no right in the eyes of the media, even when he’s voluntarily voted into an exhibition game by his adoring fans.  It’s a situation he cannot control, but who cares?  His decision to honor the fans’ choice has been branded as disrespectful towards the game, and the selection process as a whole has come under fire as a result.

Unexpected.

It's the best one word description I can give for this 09-10 season that's almost 1/3rd in the books.

Tell me, in an an economic atmosphere that has led teams to either spend crazily or cut costs with not much gray area in between, did you forsee a league that would be this competitive top to bottom? 

Did you predict that the West would go 13 teams deep?  Did you see young teams like the Kings, Thunder and Grizzlies, three young, small market clubs making promising Playoff pushes?

It’s January 31st in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  On a trip to visit family in a nearby suburb, I’m standing in the Wachovia Center, my first live 76ers experience about to close.

Down two to the Nets with seconds left, Sixers guard Royal Ivey’s potential game winning three is blocked out of bounds with a fraction of a second still on the clock.  With not enough time to get a shot off, head coach Tony DiLeo calls his last time-out to draw up a last-gasp alley-oop to Marreese Speights.

This Thanksgiving season, I’m thankful for family, friends, health, Brandon Jennings, Raekwon’s newest album, NBA League Pass Broadband and Brandon Jennings.

And oh, did I mention Brandon Jennings?

By Joshua Motenko

Last year, the Denver Nuggets transformed from perennial Playoff early exiters, to Western Conference contenders, getting into the Western Conference Finals for the first time in since 1978.

A big part of that Rocky Mountain revival was Nugget big man, Nene.  Fully healthy for the first time in years, Nene put up career numbers across the board and the squad the consistent force in the middle that they lacked in previous years.