Celtics to sign Jermaine O'Neal

Danny Ainge, the Boston Celtics general manager confirmed that the Celtics have agreements in place with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen that would keep Boston's new Big Three intact for a run at a third NBA finals in four years. Ainge also said he expects to sign free agent center Jermaine O'Neal to fill in while center Kendrick Perkins recovers from knee surgery.

Pierce agreed last week to a four-year deal worth about $61 million, and Allen agreed on Wednesday to a two-year deal worth $20 million. O'Neal's contract is reportedly for the midlevel exception, about $5.76 million in the first year of a two-year deal.

Kevin Garnett, the other member of the new Big Three that led the Celtics to their record 17th NBA title in 2008, is under contract for two more years, and emerging star Rajon Rondo is locked up through 2014-15. Coach Doc Rivers also put off a long-debated sabbatical to keep the team together.

Source: NBA News

Stoudemire is Ready

The New York Knicks have lost long enough. Amare Stoudemire is ready for what he calls the "start of a new era.''

Stoudemire joined the Knicks on Thursday, coming to a team that has never had a winning season since he entered the league out of high school in 2002.

"It's about challenges and this is definitely the ultimate challenge for myself to eventually bring the Knicks back to where they rightfully belong,'' Stoudemire said at a news conference at Madison Square Garden.

The All-Star power forward agreed to a deal Monday with a team looking to win again after a franchise-worst nine straight losing seasons.

Source and Continue reading: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/08/amare.signs.ap/index.html

Los Angeles Lakers Are Back to Back Champs

Trailing by almost three-fourths of the ballgame, the Lakers used a late rally in the 4th quarter capped by a three point shot by Derek Fisher to tie the score at 64 all. It was a see-saw battle afterwards as the Lakers used to break the game wide open,leading 76-70 with over 1 minute left on the game with timely baskets by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. However, the Celtics responded with a three pointer from Rasheed Wallace before Ron Artest also made a three pointer on the next possession to give the Lakers a 79-73 lead. Ray Allen scored another three pointer making the count at 79-76 before Kobe Bryant canned two charities. Despite struggling on the three point area, Rondo made a 3-pointer. But that was all the Celtics could give as the Lakers Sasha Vujacic made pressure packed 2 free throws as the Lakers captured the title, 83-79. They are the back to back champs.

The game was controlled by the Celtics and they have a big lead in the third quarter with 13 points,49-36 before the Lakers onslaught started. Kobe Bryant had 23 points but struggling by mostly part of the game on 6 made out of 24 attempts. But the night belongs to Ron Artest scoring 20 points and making the Lakers offensive afloat in the 2nd quarter where the Celtics trying to pull away.

The big four of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo contributed well in this game scoring by double digits. While Rasheed Wallace, starting in place of the injured KEndrick Perkins, contributed 11 points. But that was not enough to overshadow the offensive rebounding edge of the Lakers with 23 compared to 8 by the Celtics.

This is the back-to-back title for the Lakers that was once defeated by the same Celtics squad in the 2008 finals. Sweet revenge as we called for Kobe Bryant and company and so as Ron Artest, who bagged his first ever NBA Title. No one also sweeter than what the Lakers coach achieved, who lives what his reputation is of having an NBA Playoff record of 48-0 of taking the series after winning game 1. The Lakers captured their 16th title trailing the Boston Celtics, the team with 17 titles to show.

Lakers Took Game 6, Force Rubber Match

Behind the leadership of Kobe Bryant and after that angry statements to his teammates at the end of Game 5, the Lakers back from its winning ways routing the Boston Celtics, 89-67 and force a game 7. Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points and 11 rebounds. He was vocal about the lacking of support in game 5 from his teammates, but this game turned to be the rejuvenation of the supporting cast of the Lakers. Pau Gasol added 17 points, Artest had 15 and Vujacic stepped up from the bench finishing with 9 points. Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown had their shares of the game, contributing the added sparks from the bench.

The Celtics were outrebounded, outhustled and ineffective of this game. They were shorthanded as their starting center Kendrick Perkins suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter and did not returned on the game. Ray Allen had a decent showing with 19 points but Pierce was saddled down with only 13 points to offer.

The game was one-sided with the Lakers making a big run in the first quarter and never looked back. Game 7 is coming and it would be a war in the offing.

Game 5 Belongs to Celtics

The Boston Celtics have managed to weather the storm from the onslaught of Kobe Bryant in the third quarter and scored a go-ahead win over the Lakers, 92-86. Paul Pierce has found his touch in this game scattering with 27 points and Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett added 18 points apiece. The game was in control by the Celtics from the start and managed to put a dagger on every Laker run in the 3rd and 4th quarter. Kobe Bryant exploded for 38 points, including 19 points in the 3rd quarter that threatened the Boston Celtics lead. The needed support for Kobe Bryant were not there, and only Pau Gasol had double digit in scoring other than Kobe. No other player of the Lakers did manage to score double digits. This was a sorry loss for the Lakers as they would head back home in game 6 holding a 2-3 deficit in the series. For the Celtics, they are one win away of capturing their 2nd title in three years. The momentum is on their side and they can end the series with a win at the road in game 6.

Bench Players Lift Celtics to Victory, tie Series

A spectacular performance from the bench players, especially Glen Davis, carried the Boston Celtics to a must win victory in game 4, 96-89 that tied the series 2-2. There was no stopping Davis, particularly in the 4th quarter that saw the Celtics used a 36 point effort in the 4th quarter, 21 points coming from the bench to overcome the 33 points of Kobe Bryant. The Celtics also dominated the Lakers by outscoring them 54-34 points form the paint. Nate Robinson also contributed big for the Celtics with 12 points and Glen Davis finished with 18 points. Game 5 will be on Sunday night (Monday morning in the Philippines) again at the TD Garden in Boston.

Lakers Steal Homecourt Advantage Won Game 3

The Los Angeles Lakers outmatched their old rivals in game 3 holding off a late rally by the Celtics in the 4th quarter on their way to win game 3, 91-84 stealing homecourt advantage. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 29 points and Derek Fisher scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including that g0-ahead three point play in the closing seconds of the game to seal the win for the Lakers.

After 48 hours of setting the NBA Finals record of 8 3-pointers in a game, Ray Allen had a huge disappearing act in the game going 0-13 field goal shooting. He scored only 2 points throughout the gmae. Kevin Garnett lead the way for the Celtics with 25 points but was not enough to outclassed the mighty Lakers.

Game 4 is thursday night in Boston (Friday morning here in the Philippines)

Ray Allen Unleashes as Celtics tied Series

A sweet shooting night and an NBA Finals record breaker set by Ray Allen as the Celtics won over the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-94, taking the series back to square one. Allen is very impressive in the first half, scoring 27 points, including seven 3-pointers. There is no stopping him in the first half alone as the Celtics took a commanding 14 point lead in the 2nd quarter on their way to a 54-48 lead at halftime. The Lakers used a quick run at the start of the third quarter but the Celtics keep on holding back in every Lakers' run. The game was closed throughout the third quarter and in the fourth quarter until the Celtics used a huge run late in the 4th quarter and taste the lead for good on a Rondo's jumper to give the C's a 95-90 lead. There is no turning back for the Celtics as they never let the Lakers come back into the game. Ray Allen finished with 32 points, on eight 3-pointers (Breaking an NBA Finals record) and Rajon Rondo took over the game in the 2nd half with a triple double 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers had another solid performance scoring 25 points while Kobe Bryant added 21 points and Andrew Bynum had his best game in the playoffs finishing with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 blocks.

The next three games will shift back to the TD Garden in Boston.

Bryant, Gasol Combined to Lead Lakers Take Game 1

The 2008 NBA Finals loss against this the same team is a hard to forget experience for the Lakers. Showing what they felt about that traumatic experience, the Lakers showed what they got, surpassing the Boston Celtics with a big win at home, 102-89, taking the series opener. Kobe Bryant, once again, lead the Lakers with 30 points and Pau Gasol asserted himself finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Bryant scored at least 30 points on 10 of its last 11 games in the playoffs. He is phenomenal and shares leadership that provided a morale boost on his teammates, particularly Ron Artest who scored 15 points.

The Boston Celtics were outhustled, outrebounded and seems like one step slower than the Lakers throughout this game. The game speaks by itself and they cannot undo the Lakers performance in this game. Paul Pierce lead the C's with 24 points but is not enough to achieve the victory in Game 1. They will try to tie the series in Game 2.

Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers has a 47-0 record of winning the series when taking Game 1.

Renewing Rivalry: Boston Celtics Vs Los Angeles Lakers

Renewed domination and Renewed Rivalry between this two teams promises to be a history in the making. The Lakers lived up from the expectation of all NBA experts that they will make a run in this years finals. With the added firepower of Ron Artest, the Lakers is one of the early favorites to win the championship. There are also teams that has a higher ranking to make it to the Finals. Among them, is the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks. But basketball is a game where proper execution and mental toughness should be the key, the Cavs and the Mavs where nowhere to have that and was knocked out in contention.

The emergence of the Boston Celtics in the playoffs are the big surprise. They renewed dominance with the way they play in the playoffs. The energy is as high as the experience they feel in the last 2008 Championship, where they are the NBA Champions. With the look of it, the C's have found the energy and the antidote to proved their critics wrong.

Redemption is the main reason why the Lakers could be this years Championship team. Losing in 2008 finals with this the same team is a major edge in this years finals. The Lakers are the more hungry between this two teams. And the look of it, they will avenge that loss in 2008.

Fearless Forecast: Lakers will capture the championship within 6 games.

Celtics Back to the NBA Finals

Looking too old, tired and easy to beat up, the Boston Celtics proved once again that they up for a challenge, beating the Orlando Magic 96-84 to win the series in six games. The C's are back into the finals,their 2 finals appearance in the last three years.

Paul Pierce was instrumental leading the Celtics with 31 points and 13 rebounds while Allen and Rondo added 20 and 14 points respectively with Nate Robinson had his best game in the playoffs scoring 13 points,12 in the 2nd quarter after Rondo hurt his back. The contribution of Robinson is big for the Celtics as they need an extra points from the bench.

Dwight Howard was impressive for the Magic cause, scoring 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His dominance was not enough for the Magic. They fell short again after that runner-up finished last year.

With this win, the Celtics will have to face either the winner of the Lakers-Suns series with the Lakers holding a 3-2 series lead.

Artest To The Rescue

Trading Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets for Ron Artest made a positive note for the defending champs. Artest rebounded a missed jump shot by Kobe Bryant and banked on a wild shot at the buzzer. The shot went in, much to the delight of the Lakers and their fans. It was only the second basket of Ron Artest in the entire game and the last shot is the most important of them all giving the win for the Lakers 103-101. Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. The game was very much heading into overtime after the Suns rallied from an 18 point deficit to tie it from a Jason Richardson's bank a 3 pointer after two consecutive tries from the three points line. But that all set up for the heroics of Ron Artest. Steve Nash lead the Suns with 29 points and 11 assists, his best game of the series. Phoenix will come back home in Game 6 and will have another shot to extend the series if they win in their homecourt. The Lakers will try to finish the Suns in that game.

Magic Lived for Another Day

With the season on the line was no stopping the Orlando Magic to put on a show in game 5 of their series against the Boston Celtics toppling the latter 113-92 and cut the series deficit down 3-2. Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard has been instrumental in both wins, finished with 24 and 21 points respectively. Howard added 10 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Rashard Lewis and JJ Reddick added 14 points apiece for Orlando hitting 13 3-pointers in the game.

Howard was so dominant once again after Kendrick Perkins was ejected late in the 2nd quarter and Glen Davis suffered a concussion after an elbow hit on the head by Howard. Rasheed Wallace relegated to play defense against Howard scrord 21 points off the bench but fouled in the fourth quarter, but tweaked his back in the process. The Magic has won 2 in a row after winning that game 4.

Game 6 will head back to Boston hoping they could end the series or the Magic will win game 6 and force a decider in their own homecourt.

Suns Tied Series With the Lakers

Kobe Bryant was as impressive again for the Lakers but the trio of Channing Frye, Leandro Barbosa and Jared Dudley leveled the output of Kobe. This three players coming from the bench were superb in that fourth quarter run, hitting 3 pointers of their own after they stretch the lead from 89-87 to 98-89. That was the run that made the difference of the game highlighted by those bench players. Amare Stoudemire was held down to 21 points after a 42-points output in game 3, still leads the Suns. While Barbosa and Frye socred 14 points as the latter found his touch in this game and Dudley contributed 11 points. Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers with 38 point and dished out 10 assists.

The Series will now shift back to Staples Center in Los Angeles, California where the Lakers looking for the critical win in game 5 while the Suns will have the opportunity of stealing the homecourt advantage of the Lakers.

My Prediction: Suns will win in Game 5 and will closed out the series in game 6 at their homecourt.

Magic Keeping the Hopes Alive

The Orlando Magic lives for another day and forced a game 5 in the series, winning 96-92 in overtime over the veteran-laiden Boston Celtics. Dwight Howard's great performance and clutch baskets down the stretch, helps the Magic to avenge its game 3 loss. Howard finished with 32 points and 16 rebounds while Jameer Nelson had 23 points and 9 assists. Nelson contributed back-to-back crucial 3-pointers in overtime.

While the Magic having a great game, the Boston Celtics were challenged with this one. They came short for a series sweep. Rajon Rondo was held down to 9 points and 8 assists that caused to that Celtics loss. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 32 points, needing 25 shots to get that points. Ray Allen added 22 points, including a barrage of 3's in the regulation and overtime that keep the C's into the game. Game 5 will be going back to Orlando, a do-or-die game for the Magic, as the Celtics still holds the series 3-1.

Fearless Forecast: Orlando Magic will win game 5 but the Celtics will go back home and win game 6 to finish the series.

Mike Brown Fired as Cavaliers Coach

The Cleveland Cavaliers have fired Mike Brown as head coach. He has one year remaining on the contract for the Cavs but the Cavaliers opted to fire him.

The Cavaliers were the number 1 team in the season but were ousted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs, fall short once again for that championship ring that the team desired. Last year, the Cavaliers was also the number one team winning 66 wins in the season but loss to the Orlando Magic in the conference finals. This time, they fell short again, much of the blame going to Mike Brown.

Mike Brown is best to be remembered as the coach that has the highest percentage of winning in the history of the Cavaliers franchise having an overall winning percentage of .663 winning 272 games while losing only 138 games.

Stoudemire Carries Suns Over Lakers

Amare Stoudemire defies his critics by almost singlehandedly carried the Suns for an all-important win over the lakers, 118-109. Stoudemire had a game-high 42 points plus 11 rebounds. He was supported by another big man Robin Lopez who had 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting. This was the best game by Stoudemire in the playoffs, after having not-as-spectacular in the first 2 games of the series. Kobe Bryant led the defending champs with 36 points and 11 assists and Pau Gasol added 23 points. Lamar Odom was not much of a factor this time, having a miserable game scoring only 10 points on 4-for-14 shooting. The Suns has cut the series deficit 1-2 with them going for an equalizer in Game 4 at home.

Game 3 an Easy Win For the Boston Celtics

It was when the Celtics build a 17 point lead and JJ Reddick threw an errand pass to Michael Pietrus that was deflected in the backcourt. Chasing down to the ball is Jason Williams of the Magic unaware of Rajon Rondo's pursuit of the ball. Williams pick the ball but Rondo dove for the ball and making a spectacular play on getting the ball on Williams' hands, dribbled it and went on for the layup. This hustle play summarizes the game that the C's wanted more than the Magic. Hustling, putting defensive plays, Perkins' impeccable defense on Howard, harassing the outside shooters and the will to win was the game that the Celtics played. They were superb and impressive with the way they controlled the game. The Magic was nowhere to be found and made a disappearing act in this game with Howard scoring just 7 points, as the Celtics cruised to a win on game 3, 94-71 and are four quarters away of entering into the NBA finals again.

Lakers Down Suns in Game 2

It was not a mystery for the Suns that they will have a hard time competing the defending champs. The effort they give is one step backward than what the Lakers showed. Kobe Bryant and company used their height and depth to subdue the Phoenix Suns, 124-112. Pau Gasol, using his height advantage over the Phoenix Suns big men had a game high 29 points while Lamar Odom and Ron Artest had 18 and 17 points respectively. The bench also contributed for the Lakers with Jordan Farmar scoring 11 points and was instrumental in the fourth quarter with a three pointer at the start of the fourth and a steal that change the momentum of the game in favor of the Lakers. Kobe Bryant provided the key role with 21 points and dishing out 13 assists, a playoff career high. While the Los Angeles Lakers were impressive, the Phoenix Suns could not find the answer that they needed. Steve Nash pt up a decent showing again with 15 assists but had only 11 points into his name. It was Jason Richardson who was the sparked in this game, scored 27 points on 10-for-17 shooting. Grant Hill was also superb with 23 points. The series shifts to Phoenix in Game 3 where the Suns hoping to win.

Celtics Take a Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo combined for 53 points leading the Boston Celtics with an all-important win in game 2, 95-92. Pierce had 17 of his 28 points in the first half that saw the C's build an 11 point lead in the first quarter with 23-12 on Pierce 3 pointer. But Orlando responded with a 16-2 run to take the lead on JJ Redick's 3 pointer. It was a tight match from then on the first half with the Celtics leading by only 2 points 53-51. In the third quarter, the Celtics responded a run on their own leading by as much as 10 points, 70-60. But Orlando surge a series of rallies and taste the lead once more on Carter's jumper making its a 90-89 count. But Kevin Garnett replied with a jumper on his own. With the Celtics leading 93-92, Pierce was fouled attempting a jumper and made the two charities making it 95-92. In the next play, Carter was fouled while getting to the hoop. But Carter missed the 2 fouled shots given. The Orlando magic has another chance of sending the game into overtime but Jameer Nelson's long 3 pointer at the buzzer fell short. Dwight Howard was superb in this game scoring 30 points while Vince Carter and JJ Reddick had 16 points apiece for the Magic.