Detroit Pistons Dynasty: If the Wings can do it, why can't we?

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Conference Finals










The Miami Heat, without injured star Dwyane Wade swept the Chicago Bulls right out of the playoffs. Lebron James averaged 36 points in the 4 games and Wade’s replacement Mike Miller averaged over 13 points per game. The Oklahoma City Thunder raced to a three game to zero lead against the Spurs and even got Center Kendrick Perkins back for game five. However the Spurs staved off elimination three times to force a game seven in Oklahoma City. Strangely enough, five of the six games were decided by 20 points or more, with only game two being close (a one point Thunder win). In game seven, the battle tested Spurs once again stunned the Thunder by winning 93-88. Old war horse Tim Duncan came up big with 26 points and his teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli added 21 and 20 points, respectively. This sets ups a final of the glamour team versus the blue collar team. The loud and brash Miami Heat, the team America loves to hate, against the quiet and dignified Spurs. Despite the absence of Wade, ratings are expected to reach record levels.

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Game one was a catastrophe for the Spurs. Coming off a grueling seven game series and facing a well-rested Heat team, the Spurs were out of gas by the 2^nd quarter, being outscored 36-13. The Heat ended up winning 130-83 with Lebron James putting up 49 and Chris Bosh scoring 44. The only solace for the Spurs is that they were able to rest their starters during the 2^nd half to be ready for game two.

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Game Two



Game two was not much better for the Spurs. Miami defeated San Antonio 91-79 as James scored 35. San Antonio’s big three had 53 of their 79 points, but contributions from their teammates were few and far between. Miami heads to San Antonio for game 3 and 4 with a chance to sweep.

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Game Three




San Antonio salvaged game three with a huge fourth quarter to win 99-87. Trailing by 1, the Spurs had their backs against the wall and managed to outscore the Heat 35 to 22 in the last 12 minutes. Tim Duncan led a balanced effort with 19 points. The Heat added injury to insult when backup guard Norris Cole joined Dwyane Wade on the injured list with a broken wrist. Bosh scored 28 and James scored 25, but the Heat are beginning to run out of players, with Mike Miller and James getting the backup PG minutes behind an overworked Mario Chalmers.

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Game Four



Questions about Lebron James being a clutch playoff performer are starting to be answered. With Wade and Cole out, James played 40 minutes, scored 37 points and dished 8 assists to lead the Heat to a 101-78 rout of the Spurs. Chris Bosh scored 34 points and had 12 rebounds as the big two try to overcome the loss of their third wheel and win their first ever NBA championship. For the Spurs Tim Duncan had 21 and Ginobli 18 as the only two Spurs players in double figures. The Spurs look to stave off elimination back home in San Antonio for game 5.

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Game Five




It was over before it really got started. Miami raced to a 37-24 1^st quarter lead and won the game by the same thirteen point margin, 106-93. Series MVP Lebron James dominated with 48 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, answering all critics who questioned his heart and his ability to take over in clutch playoff situations. Chris Bosh had 26 points and 12 rebounds while Mario Chalmers dished 9 assists in 44 grueling minutes. Spurs forward Tim Duncan said, “We gave our best effort but we simply didn’t execute. My hat is off to them. They were the better team in this series and they deserved to win.” Heat star and recent knee surgery patient Dwyane Wade hobbled out on crutches to join his teammates in the celebration on San Antonio’s home court. James said, “Now that I’ve won a title here, maybe I’ll go back to Cleveland. Just kidding!” Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was less than amused and tweeted, “Lebron can $@@%Y#^%^T%#%@W$” No comment yet from NBA commissioner David Stern on this ongoing feud.

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The Offseason Begins

Retirements















The following players retired: Tony Battie, Anthony Parker, Eduardo Najera, Jerry Stackhouse, Juwan Howard, Derek Fisher, Jeff Foster, Ben Wallace, Anthony Carter, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, and surprisingly Jason Kidd, who earlier in the year had expressed interest in signing on for one more year. Sadly Nugget coach George Karl called it a career, however he remains cancer-free.
Players inducted into the Hall of Fame: Jason Kidd

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In the offseason, the New Orleans Hornets won the draft lottery with the Kings moving up one spot to claim the 2^nd pick and the Bobcats grabbing third. The Utah Jazz, who had the best odds to win the lottery, had to settle for the 4^th overall pick in what is seen as a very deep and talented draft.