Los Angeles Lakers – Woe and 12

The Los Angeles Lakers are never down for long, so an 0-2 start to this NBA campaign is hardly anything to overreact to. There have been many teams historically that seemingly struggle during pre-season only to capture their true form once the “real” games begin. The Lakers have endured an 0-8 pre-season and have now dropped their first two regular season games to an undermanned Dallas team and a plucky young Blazers squad respectively.

Dating back to last season’s playoff exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers are now 0-12 since May 18 this year.

Again, two games into a regular season is no time to panic however the off-season changes within appear to be taking some time to get used to. Alongside the marquee additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, the Lakers have also welcomed another five new faces.

The Lakers have also brought in assistant coach Eddie Jordan to implement the “Princeton offense” which in most cases, is an offensive structure designed to give a team with less talent more chances to score. It relies on drawing would-be defenders to certain spots on the floor and with good screening and passing, enables easy scores from relatively close to the basket in most cases.

One could imagine the current Charlotte Bobcats team (who with all due respect, are lacking some talent) using this offensive structure against well, a team like the Lakers. (more…)

James Harden. Have The Rockets Finally Got Their Star?

Yesterday, the Houston Rockets pulled the trigger on a trade to gain Sixth Man of the Year, Team USA member and former Oklahoma City guard, James Harden.

The trade, in addition to Harden brought Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, and Lazar Haywood to Houston while Kevin Martin, rookie Jeremy Lamb, two first round picks and a second round pick were sent to Oklahoma City.

The Houston Rockets have made no secret of their ambition to add a legitimate star to their roster since the McGrady and Yao era, hoarding assets including young players and draft picks. GM Daryl Morey has been very cautious not to commit big money financially, keeping room for flexibility and his eventual star player.

Harden, entering his fourth year in the NBA, was an intricate piece in Oklahoma City. One head of the three headed beast that included Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Harden started only two games last year yet averaged 31.4 minutes per game.

Effectively playing starting minutes although backing up Thabo Sefolosha, he went on to average 16.8 points per game, shooting just under 50% from the field (49.1%) and marginally under 40% from the three point line (39%).

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Oklahoma City offered what they thought to be a reasonable contract. After committing big money to other stars such as Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka there was not the availability to offer Harden a max contract. (more…)

Hawks Cruise To Victory Against Tigers

An import-less Wollongong Hawks outfit defeated a near full strength Melbourne Tigers on Friday night at Kilsyth sports centre.

Led by some excellent shooting and a double double from their forward Oscar Forman (22 points, 11 rebounds), the Hawks stamped their authority in the second half to cruise to a 13 point victory.

Forman was also ably assisted by center Larry Davidson (13 points, 10 rebounds).

The Melbourne Tigers were without offseason recruit and young gun Chris Goulding, who apart from his absence, sported a full strength lineup.

After a very slow start to the first quarter, the Hawks held a slender 12-11 lead at the first change.

As the tempo picked up in the second period, Tigers import point guard Kevin Braswell started to get himself and his team mates involved. The crowd rose to their feet after a Matt Burston steal led to a Lucas Walker tomahwak jam.

The Hawks however managed to keep in touch with some hot shooting and also work in the post from Larry Davidson. For all of Melbourne’s good work, the Hawks superb ball movement kept them within two at the half.

As Braswell (14 points, 5 steals) continued to show why he played for the championship winning Breakers two seasons ago, the Hawks continued to work the ball around the perimeter to create easy scoring opportunities.

Rush had been shut down for the half and before the Tigers knew it, the Hawks were out to a five point lead at the final break.

Sloppy turnovers and frustration from new import big man Seth Scott allowed the Hawks to cruise to a 67-54 point victory.

Signs for the Wollongong Hawks are great as they are 4-0 in the pre season so far, a great feat especially without both imports.

The signs are there for the Tigers though, who have a better balanced team than last year. Seth Scott will be a big barometer on how far this team will go.

Wollongong Hawks 67

(Forman 22, Davidson 13, Martin 10)

DEF

Melbourne Tigers

(Braswell 14, Walker 8, Lewis 7)

Hoop Diary NBA Playoff Predictions

Here at Hoop Diary we are pumped for the NBA Playoffs! So pumped in fact, we’ve decided to throw our hats in the ring and attempt to predict the Playoff futures of all 16 teams. Cast an eye below as all three of us complete out Playoff brackets in an attempt to gain bragging rights for the entire off-season.

Paul Henderson @HD_Paul

First Round			Conference Semifinals			Conference Finals			NBA Finals

1	Chicago*	4
8	Philadelphia	1
			1	Chicago	4

			5	Atlanta	3
4	Boston*	2

5	Atlanta	4
						1	Chicago	3
Eastern Conference
						2	Miami	4
3	Indiana	4

6	Orlando	1
			3	Indiana	3

			2	Miami	4
2	Miami*	4

7	New York	2
									2	Miami	4

									2	Oklahoma City	3
1	San Antonio*	4

8	Utah	1
			1	San Antonio	2

			4	Memphis	4
4	Memphis	4

5	L.A. Clippers	3
						4	Memphis	2
Western Conference
						2	Oklahoma City	4
3	L.A. Lakers*	4

6	Denver	2
			3	L.A. Lakers	3

			2	Oklahoma City	4
2	Oklahoma City*	4

7	Dallas	1

Ryan Baker @HD_RyanB

First Round			Conference Semifinals			Conference Finals			NBA Finals

1	Chicago*	4
8	Philadelphia	0
				Chicago	2

				Boston	4
4	Boston*	4

5	Atlanta	2
							Boston	2
Eastern Conference
							Miami	4
3	Indiana	4

6	Orlando	0
				Indiana	2

				Miami	4
2	Miami*	4

7	New York	1
										Miami	4

										San Antonio	2
1	San Antonio*	4

8	Utah	0
				San Antonio	4

				Memphis	3
4	Memphis	4

5	L.A. Clippers	2
							San Antonio	4
Western Conference
							Oklahoma City	2
3	L.A. Lakers*	4

6	Denver	2
				L.A. Lakers	2

				Oklahoma City	4
2	Oklahoma City*	4

7	Dallas	0

Mitch Hamilton @rangaMITCH

First Round			Conference Semifinals			Conference Finals			NBA Finals

1	Chicago*	4
8	Philadelphia	1
				Chicago	4

				Boston	2
4	Boston*	4

5	Atlanta	0
							Chicago	4
Eastern Conference
							Miami	3
3	Indiana	4

6	Orlando	1
				Indiana	1

				Miami	4
2	Miami*	4

7	New York	2
										Chicago	2

										San Antonio	4
1	San Antonio*	4

8	Utah	0
				San Antonio	4

				Memphis	2
4	Memphis	4

5	L.A. Clippers	3
							San Antonio	4
Western Conference
							L.A. Lakers	1
3	L.A. Lakers*	4

6	Denver	3
				L.A. Lakers	4

				Oklahoma City	3
2	Oklahoma City*	4

7	Dallas	2