Previewing the Playoffs: First Round

As the shortened NBA season has come to an end, the playoff match ups have been set. I will be previewing the match ups for every round of the playoffs, with my winners, and also a description of why the match ups will end the way I feel they will.

Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers

Bulls win series in 5 games.

Although the 76ers are a very good young team, the Bulls are that much better. Last years MVP Derrick Rose will be in the lineup after suffering quite a few injuries this season. Rose will come out looking like he has not had trouble this season, and outperform his match ups. Chicago has a better arsenal of big men under the basket, and if they flourish in this series, the Bulls will have no problem advancing.

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks

Heat win series in 6 games.

This will be the series to watch in the First Round. The Knicks have been the hottest team in the NBA over the last month, being led by Carmelo Anthony who played his best basketball this season in the month of April. On the other hand, LeBron James is having one of the best seasons in recent years. When it comes down to it New York have the depth that will make this series go as far as 6 games, but the amount of talent that is on the Miami team, the Knicks and Lin-sanity will fall.

Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic

Pacers win series in 4 games.

Not only are the Pacers one of the fastest rising teams in the league, but they are facing a struggling Magic team. The Magic will be without Dwight Howard who is their brightest, and really their only star. The Pacers are a very talented team who will be contenders for the next few years. Their depth will keep them in the playoffs, and honestly, they are facing a Magic team that is not very good.

Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks

Celtics win series in 7 games.

This will be a back and forth series. Boston seems to have found their groove with utilizing Avery Bradley, who has the potential of becoming a big part of Boston’s future. After moving Kevin Garnett to Center, the Celtics seem to be playing like a team with a chip on their shoulder. Atlanta is no pushover though. Joe Johnson will keep the Hawks close in this series, but the Celtics will have the last laugh.

San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz

Spurs win series in 5 games.

The Spurs are playing well again this year and look like they have the opportunity to make a serious push for a championship. Tony Parker is playing terrific basketball, and Tim Duncan looks like he found the fountain of youth. This Jazz team has talent in a few different players, most notably Al Jefferson. The Jazz may get better this off-season, but they will be working without a championship.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

Thunder win series in 6 games.

The Mavericks always play their best basketball when they are in the playoffs. With that being said, they are facing a very talented Thunder team. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the best tandem in the league, and could explode at any time. The Thunder will take the series and possibly the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets

Nuggets win series in 6 games.

Denver has been playing great basketball over the last few weeks. Ty Lawson is a future star point guard in the league, and Arron Afflalo has been playing very well over the last few months, and this Nuggets team is very deep. The Lakers are in trouble with the recent injury with Kobe Bryant’s shin, Metta World Peace’s suspension, and the weak bench. I really don’t like the Lakers chances of keeping up with such a young and fast paced Denver team.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers win series in 7 games.

This series will go right down to the wire. Memphis is very deep which will give them an advantage in this series. But this will Chris Paul’s chance to show that he is a main talent in this league. Paul will have a terrific series, and Blake Griffin will also have a good series. For Memphis, Rudy Gay has played the best season of his career, and Marc Gasol has turned into one of the best big men in the league. One big problem I see though is that Zach Randolph has not played well since he returned from his injury. Randolph is a very big key to this Memphis team. But in the end, i see the Clippers emerging.

I will be giving analysis’ throughout the entire playoffs, and I will be previewing the Conference Semifinals when the matches are set.

Make sure to follow Mark Chernansky on Twitter: @markjc90

2012 NFL Mock Draft

The draft order in this mock does not contain any trades.

 

1. Indianapolis Colts-

Andrew Luck QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins-

Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings-

Matt Kalil OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns-

Trent Richardson RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-

Morris Claiborne CB, LSU

6. St. Louis Rams-

Justin Blackmon WR, Oklahoma St.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars-

Melvin Ingram DE, South Carolina

8. Miami Dolphins-

Ryan Tannehill QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers-

Luke Kuechly LB, Boston College

10. Buffalo Bills-

Stephon Gilmore CB, South Carolina

11. Kansas City Chiefs-

David DeCastro G, Stanford

12. Seattle Seahawks-

Quinton Coples DE/DT, North Carolina

13. Arizona Cardinals-

Riley Reiff OT, Iowa

14. Dallas Cowboys-

Mark Barron SS, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles-

Fletcher Cox DT, Mississippi State

16. New York Jets-

Courtney Upshaw DE, Alabama

17. Cincinnati Bengals-

Dre Kirkpatrick CB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers-

Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame

19. Chicago Bears-

Chandler Jones DE/OLB, Syracuse

20. Tennessee Titans-

Michael Brockers DT, LSU

21. Cincinnati Bengals-

Dontari Poe NT, Memphis

22. Cleveland Browns-

Kendall Wright WR, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions-

Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama

24. Pittsburgh Steelers-

Dont’a Hightower ILB, Alabama

25. Denver Broncos-

Jerel Worthy DT, Michigan State

26. Houston Texans-

Cordy Glenn G/OT, Georgia

27. New England Patriots-

Shea McClellin DE/OLB, Boise State

28. Green Bay Packers-

Harrison Smith SS, Notre Dame

29. Baltimore Ravens-

Peter Konz C, Wisconsin

30. San Francisco 49ers-

Coby Fleener TE, Stanford

31. New England Patriots-

Amini Silatolu G/OT, Midwestern State

32. New York Giants-

Nick Perry DE, USC

 

Make sure to follow me on twitter @markjc90

Is Lebron James a Runaway MVP Winner?

There has been much criticism this year about LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Many of the critics believe that if the Miami Heat do not win the NBA Finals this year, then the experiment has failed. Putting aside the expectations of what the Heat should accomplish, and look at the teams individual performance this year, LeBron James is certainly having a season for the ages. This season James has consistently increased the majority of every statistic that the NBA keeps track of. But the one statistic that many casual fans and “haters” of James may not be aware of is the Player Efficiency Rating.

The Player Efficiency Rating, or PER, is based on an equation created by ESPN Insider John Hollinger. Hollinger created an equation that takes every aspect of the game into account, whether positive or negative. Things such as field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. After all of these numbers are finalized, they are then adjusted to the players minutes played for that game. And with all of these factors being taken into account,  one can really find out a players true value. Now the average PER rating for an NBA player is 15.00, but there has been certain instances where the rating has exceeded 30.00.

Now the highest PER rating in single season NBA history was recorded by Wilt Chamberlain, with a 31.84 PER rating. This season alone LeBron James has a PER rating of 30.73.  The player who is closest to James this year is Kevin Durant who currently is posting a PER rating of 26.49. Now these two men are like heads and tails on a coin. If you asked a fan on the side of the road who is the MVP this year, the two highest percentages would be James and Durant. Now many casual fans would bring the argument that James has a better supporting cast in Miami than Durant has in Oklahoma City. I would counter the argument by suggesting that you should look at the Thunder depth chart. Last I knew Russell Westbrook was no slouch, and Serge Ibaka was quickly becoming one of the best defenders in the league. Both teams have a pretty good supporting cast.

Now one of my personal criticisms on James in the past was his mid range to 3-point shooting ability. In past seasons I have noticed James would rely more on his ability to score in the paint. This year not only have I personally noticed an increase in completions,  his numbers reflect it. James has increased his FG% and his 3PT% this season, which also reflects his PER rating.  And the interesting thing to note is that he is increasing in almost every category, but is playing less minutes.

The Heat are currently chasing the bulls for the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, and if they catch them I feel James is the guaranteed to win the Most Valuable Player Award. Despite all the criticism the numbers do not lie, and the Heat are on the cusp of being the best team in the East entering the playoffs. The Heat may have not yet solidified themselves as the top seed, but LeBron James has certainly solidified himself as the MVP.

2012 NBA Mock Draft as of April 18th 2012

Now that March Madness is over and the dust has settled, it is time to analyze the upcoming NBA Draft this June. As the draft starts to get closer, I will be updating my mock draft more frequently so stay tuned for updates. The draft order, has been updated as of April 16th 2012, and all the conference standings have been applied. This mock has no draft trades applied, when we get closer these could factor in. If anyone has any objections or if you just want to comment, please leave a comment in the appropriate box.

1. Charlotte Bobcats–

Anthony Davis PF-Kentucky

Ht/Wt: 6-10/220 lbs.

2. Washington Wizards-

Thomas Robinson PF-Kansas

Ht/Wt: 6-9/235 lbs.

3. New Orleans Hornets–

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist SF-Kentucky

Ht/Wt: 6-7/210 lbs.

4. Sacramento Kings–

Andre Drummond PF/C-Connecticut

Ht/Wt: 6-11/275 lbs.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers-

Damian Lillard PG-Weber St.

Ht/Wt: 6-2/185 lbs.

6. Toronto Raptors-

Harrison Barnes SF-North Carolina

Ht/Wt: 6-8/215 lbs.

7. Portland Trail Blazers-

Kendall Marshall PG-North Carolina

Ht/Wt: 6-4/180 lbs.

8. Detroit Pistons-

Tyler Zeller C-North Carolina

Ht/Wt: 7-0/250 lbs.

9.  Utah Jazz-

Bradley Beal SG-Florida

Ht/Wt: 6-5/195 lbs.

10. New Orleans Hornets-

Jared Sullinger PF/C-Ohio St.

Ht/Wt: 6-9/280 lbs.

11. Portland Trail Blazers-

Perry Jones PF-Baylor

Ht/Wt: 6-11/235 lbs.

12. Milwaukee Bucks-

Jeremy Lamb SG-Connecticut

Ht/Wt: 6-5/185 lbs.

13. Utah Jazz-

Terrence Jones SF/PF-Kentucky

Ht/Wt: 6-9/245 lbs.

14. Phoenix Suns-

John Henson PF-North Carolina

Ht/Wt: 6-10/200 lbs.

15. Philadelphia 76ers-

Meyers Leonard C-Illinois

Ht/Wt: 7-1/245 lbs.

16. Houston Rockets-

Austin Rivers SG-Duke

Ht/Wt: 6-4/195 lbs.

17. New Jersey Nets-

Terrence Ross SG/SF-Washington

Ht/Wt: 6-6/190 lbs.

18. Denver Nuggets-

James McAdoo SF/PF-North Carolina

Ht/Wt: 6-9/220 lbs.

19. Houston Rockets-

Tony Wroten PG/SG-Washington

Ht/Wt: 6-5/205 lbs.

20. Memphis Grizzlies-

Jeff Taylor SF-Vanderbilt

Ht/Wt: 6-7/225 lbs.

21. Atlanta Hawks-

Royce White SF/PF-Iowa State

Ht/Wt: 6-8/240 lbs.

22. Orlando Magic-

Draymond Green SF-Michigan St.

Ht/Wt: 6-6/235 lbs.

23. Boston Celtics-

Arnett Moultrie PF/C-Mississippi St.

Ht/Wt: 6-11/225 lbs.

24. Boston Celtics-

Moe Harkless SF-St.Johns

Ht/Wt: 6-8/ 208 lbs.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers-

Andrew Nicholson PF-St.Bonaventure

Ht/Wt: 6-9/220 lbs.

26. Indiana Pacers-

Marquis Teague PG-Kentucky

Ht/Wt: 6-2/165 lbs.

27. Miami Heat-

Fab Melo C-Syracuse

Ht/Wt: 7-0/244 lbs.

28. Golden State Warriors

CJ Leslie SF/PF-NC State

Ht/Wt: 6-9/205 lbs.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder-

Evan Fournier SG/SF-France

Ht/Wt: 6-6/200 lbs.

30. Chicago Bulls-

Dion Waiters SG-Syracuse

Ht/Wt:6-4/215 lbs.

 

These picks are subject to change in the coming weeks. Make sure to follow Mark Chernansky on Twitter: @markjc90.