Infusing a 36-year old 350-pound Shaquille O’Neal into a system entirely different from his orientation messed up the identity of Phoenix. You let go of a guy who fits perfectly into the run-and-gun style of play in Shawn Marion, and bring in the Big Cactus into the fold is much different from the letting-go of useless Kwame Brown, a rookie and future draft picks, then getting a dominant big man in Pau Gasol, which the Los Angeles Lakers did. The arrival of O’Neal totally needs an overhauling of the Suns system, and I believe this can be done. It just needs time. Time they don’t have. Like Raja Bell said during their 3-6 run upon Shaq’s arrival, “We are still in preseason form.” Yes, they were and still are, while the rest of the league have been warming-up for the post-season.

And beating the defending champions in the first round is too much to ask from these Suns who are still assimilating Shaq into the fold, and D’Antoni has to adapt and even change his system for his arrival. Sure, they appear to have incorporated the Diesel into the team’s system, but they still haven’t. The proof! They lost the big games.

They could have totally avoided the Spurs in the first round, if only, they have beaten Houston on April 11. Yes that game! They were beaten big-time, 90-101. They did beat Houston, the Rockets’ second defeat after going 22-0, but they needed to win that April 11 encounter more. That was the tie-breaker right there. They could have been fifth, not sixth, and it is much different to face San Antonio, than facing Utah. Yes, they may have beaten the Spurs thrice in four encounters, but that was the regular season. San Antonio is totally different team in the play-offs. They have lots of experience playing together, and they have semi-dominated this decade. Four titles in nine years. That’s a feat, and three titles with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Those three know how to win. And an identity-searching team like Phoenix is no match for them.

In a closely-fought and tight Western Conference, that single loss ended the season for the Suns. And fate was not on their side either. Duncan made a magical three, his first the whole season, in Game One. That forced a second overtime, and with Amare Stoudemire fouling out, they had the slimmest of chance. They were supposed to win it, but it was not theirs from the very start. The breaks all went San Antonio’s way. And champions as the Spurs are, they surely have awaken from a momentary slumber in Game Four. They have been here before. They know how to close out teams.

If only they won against Houston on that April 11 game. They should be facing Utah now. They should still be in the fight. Who knows it could be them in the second round, and facing the Lakers. And they would have been better, having to experience what it’s like to have Shaq in the playoffs. Not against the Spurs, it would have been better to experiment having Shaq around against the Jazz. If only they have beaten Houston, and not fall down to them 90-101. If only… (photos courtesy of yahoonba.com)

The fact is the NBA is getting boring and predictable. Right now, the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs are definitely going to meet in the NBA Finals. The Spurs are also destined to win the whole thing. And these two – they are the most boring basketball teams I have ever seen.

Why don’t we watch? The East is always a boring conference, save for Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls Dynasty in the 90’s and last year’s titlist Miami Heat and its star Dwyane Wade. Why should we watch LeBron James and his Cavs teammates? LBJ holds the ball 90% of Cleveland’s possession. His teammates can’t seem to find the hoop. Detroit is so methodical, that their game has become similar as life’s home-work-home routine. Well, for most people.

Then there’s the Utah Jazz and San Antonio in the West. These two don’t belong in the “Wild Wild West” actually. For neophyte NBA observers, they may mistake these two as Eastern teams, since they play the really lackluster type of play. “Alright guys, let’s hold the ball, play the full 24 seconds, get the ball to the post, screen a little, dish out if the shot isn’t there, or back on your man Tim, Carlos.” They run this play all the time. Not to mention, the Spurs cheated their way here. How much are they paying you Stu (Jackson)?

Last year, I sided with the Miami Heat and witnessed one of the more exciting Finals in recent years. Not to mention, NBA had the best playoffs in recent memory last postseason. This season is far from it. No wonder the NBA’s ratings have plummeted down to the grave. Even San Antonio natives failed to appear in Game One of the Western Conference Finals. They are smart enough to realize that their team is boring and dirty. Not worth the ticket and the time!

San Antonio waltzed their way to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. As long as Utah cannot stop San Antonio’s three-headed monster, they will continue to loss. After all, they never expected to be here. Everyone was expecting Dallas to be in the conference finals, not the Jazz.

In the Spurs’ 108-100 triumph in Game One, Tim Duncan had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Manu Ginobili added 23 points and 10 assists, while Tony Parker contributed 21 points and six dimes. Jazz forward Carlos Boozer was just 7-for-17 from the field, good enough for 20 points and 12 rebounds. But he had only three field goals in Utah’s disastrous first half.

The Spurs had a 19-point lead at halftime, and were up 18 early in the fourth. The only bright spot for the Jazz was Deron Williams’ 18-point performance in the fourth which deceivingly reduced the lead to eight by the end of the game.

Game Two was no different from Game One. The Spurs had this game from start to finish. Duncan had 26 points and 14 caroms, while Ginobili added 17 points. Parker may have only scored 17, but he had 14 assists, setting-up devastating threes from Bruce Bowen, Ginobili, Michael Finley and Brent Barry. All four guys had three three’s apiece. Everytime Utah made a run, San Antonio answered with three-pointers.

Although, Boozer bounced back with a 33-point-15-rebound performance, the Jazz never led in this one. San Antonio easily won 105-96.

Now the series shifts to Utah. The Jazz were down 0-2 before, in the first round against the Houston Rockets. But the Spurs are far a better team than Houston. They’ve got the rings to show for it. The Jazz may have won two games at Salt Lake City during the regular season, but this is the play-offs. The Spurs are the superior team, and Utah does not offer much resistance.

I expect the Jazz may win one at home, but just one. I say Spurs in five, and let the Detroit-San Antonio showdown begin anew. That’ll be a more interesting series.

The Warriors were beaten at home by the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz, 101-115. Derek Fisher was instrumental in this one, pouring 14 of his 21 points in the decisive fourth, after the Warriors and the Jazz were trading baskets back and forth. Frankly, the Jazz will win in five games. Utah has been unbeaten at home in the play-offs and they will wrap it up in Game Five at Salt Lake City.

Don Nelson’s boys were badly outplayed in this one. Most of the Golden State players are first timers in the play-offs except for Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson. But both guys were shooting poorly in this one. Jackson went 5-of-15 from the field, and Davis was a miserable 6-of-16. The Warriors can’t expect a “W” if their leaders couldn’t bring their A-game.

Even so, the Warriors did not expect to go this far. And it has been a great season for the Bay Area ballers. They will be more formidable come next postseason as they have gained much experience.

Yes, Fred Donahue, why now? How much are the Spurs paying you? Attention Commissioner David Stern!!! Aren’t the calls supposed to go either way?!? That game was full of bull. Hand checks are supposed to be whistled, let alone obvious bumps, scratches and cheap shots from a “supposedly” defensive player in Bowen. He does not deserve to be in the All Defensive team. He ain’t a defensive player! No way!

That cheap shot to Nash’s groin was utterly…! Don’t want to let out those frustrating words. Defense should be played with your feet, not with your hands. But Bowen’s got plenty of hands when he plays defense. Amare Stoudemire is right. He just wants to hurt people.

If the calls keep going San Antonio’s way, then the series is already over, and the NBA will crown the dirtiest team ever!!! Yes, I believe this is the championship series. Whoever wins will win the crown. Detroit has a shot, but they are too slow and old for the Suns and Spurs. What a boring conference finals and NBA Finals it will be. Utah vs San Antonio, then San Antonio and Detroit. Whew!

Houston has been a two-man team all season long. They won 52 games, behind the stellar scoring performances of their two stars – McGrady and Yao Ming. Both guys scored 29 points in this Game Seven. But they lost a close decision to the Jazz, 99-103.

Jazz center Mehmet Okur hit two big three-pointers in the final seconds (again!), and Utah was quicker to the ball. They secured three big offensive rebounds, and Carlos Boozer iced the game with two free throws with 19 seconds left.

Houston had a mental lapse. After McGrady made a lay-up with eight seconds left, and just down by two, they failed to foul right away, using up seven long seconds to send a Utah player to the foul line.

McGrady, before the series started, took responsibility for the outcome of the series. He tried his best. He was impressive, scoring 29 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out a team-high 13 assists, and went 12-of-25 from the floor. But in the end, he and Yao just needed help, especially in the dying seconds. His teammates just did not deliver during the crucial moments.

There’s a lot to ponder in the off-season. It still isn’t sure if Coach Jeff Van Gundy will re-sign, and we aren’t sure if the new GM will make significant roster changes. I just hope next year will be a better year for T-Mac, and that he may advance to that elusive second round.

McGrady has been frustrated in the playoffs. He has never won a series in his career. He has not gone out of the first round from his Toronto days to Orlando and now at Houston. He is 0-5 in playoff series.

Monday night, McGrady went a dismal 9-of-29 from the field, an even uglier 1-of-8 from three-point range. But this did not stop him from shooting that ball. He made numerous attempts just to get his rhythm, and he did. The good thing was he knocked down the shots the counted the most, including a fade-away baseline jumper over Utah’s Gordan Giricek, when the Jazz were rallying and has cut down the lead to four less than two minutes remaining. The other good sign is T-Mac shot 12-of-14 free throws. The whole Rockets team hit an impressive 34-of-38 from the foul stripe, following Coach Jeff Van Gundy’s instructions that they are not allowed to leave practice unless they make 10 consecutive free throws. And that really did pay off.Â

McGrady was good for 23 points in the first game, and 31 points here in the second. Utah tried a gang of defenders against T-Mac to no avail, which included Giricek, Deron Williams, Derek Fisher and Andrei Kirilenko, who fouled out.

If Utah won’t be able to stop Houston’s two vaunted superstars in McGrady and Yao Ming, this may be a short series. With McGrady hungry to get out of the first round, it will be inevitably hard to stop him. I expect bigger numbers from T-Mac as the series progresses.

The cast for the Eastern Conference Playoffs has been completed for some time now, but the match-ups have yet to be determined. Most teams, especially the Central Division, are still battling for two of the top four slots, and gain home court advantage. Detroit has clinched the top spot, but Cleveland is just a half game behind Chicago for the second seed.

Out West however, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers are slugging it out for the eighth and last spot. Hell, the Clippers may even snatch the seventh spot if the Lakers lose their last assignment. Right now, the Warriors own that eighth spot at 40-40, just one game ahead of the Clippers (39-41). The Warriors have won their last three games, while the Clippers lost four of its last six, a bad omen for the Los Angeles boys.

The Clippers would love to go back-to-back in postseason wars. The last time they did that was in the 1991-93 seasons. They have Phoenix and New Orleans as their last assignments. A lone win, coupled with two Golden State losses, will catapult them to the play-offs since they own the tie breaker.

The Warriors, on the other hand, will clinch that play-off spot if they win their last two games. Thus, in any scenario, they need to win their last two meetings, one with Dallas and the other with Portland, to avoid any complications.

For me, I would like Golden State to go to the play-offs. Why? First, their coach, Don Nelson, was the one who brought the Dallas franchise back to life as he stirred the Mavericks to successive play-off appearances from 1999-2005, after the ballclub has stayed in limbo for a decade. What drama would emanate if Nelson faces his former team. It is also important to note that Nelson was the last coach to guide the Warriors franchise to their postseason appearance back in 1993-94 when his General Manager, Chris Mullin, was still playing for him.

Second, Golden State holds the edge against Dallas in their season series. And only two other teams have won twice against the Mavericks. They are Phoenix and Utah. But the Warriors may sweep Mark Cuban’s boys tomorrow, and hold that psychological advantage coming into the first round.

Lastly, I would love to see another running team making it to the postseason. That will really make it more exciting. Imagine Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, the Lakers and Golden State Warriors in the play-offs and eventually beating methodical and boring ballclubs like the Jazz and the Spurs. I would just love to see that.

Though the Rockets were thrashed by the Suns, 82-103, there were still signs of defensive brilliance. The Suns were just too fast and too quick for Houston to handle, but other teams should beware. That game was just a matter of who will control the tempo, and the Suns were able to dictate it. But for teams who play their pace, they’ll be in trouble.

The Rockets lead the league in limiting opponents’ field goal percentage to the minimum. And currently, they are fifth in the Western Conference, at 39-25, just behind the Utah Jazz. I feel that they are the ultimate dark horses in the NBA. A lot of talks are going on about Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio dominating the West, but they should not forget Houston. The Rockets are just lurking in the shadows, ready to take the spotlight away from those three perennial title contenders.

One of the big reasons why they ended the way they did last season was the health of their players. Utah’s success has long been overdue. I was expecting a break-out year from them last season, being the trio of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko’s second season together. Their first season was a “feeling out” for them, chemistry usually comes in after a year of playing together. But injuries plagued their two best players in Boozer and Kirilenko. Not to mention the bad knee plaguing another one of their best scorers in Matt Harpring. Boozer missed last year’s first three months, and Kirilenko had a slow start and missed a number of games due to an ailing back.

But this year is a different story. Jerry Sloan, the great coach that he is, has molded this team together, and infused an unselfish environment. They may lack a true superstar who will take the big shots when it matters, but they play so well as a team that they have become formidable, especially having their stars healthy so far. The Jazz also added veteran point guard Derek Fisher, who has three championship rings with the Lakers, into the mix. They also acquired big men Rafael Araujo and Paul Millsap to add size and front court depth.

Boozer leads the team in scoring averaging 22 points per game. Four other players also average in double figures. Sophomore Deron Williams, Okur, Harpring and Fisher are averaging 16.7, 15.2, 10.9 and 10.1 respectively. The only surprise is the low point production of Kirilenko, but he is helping in other departments. He is averaging close to a steal per game, 2.5 blocks, 3.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Boozer is the monster off the boards having averaged 12.3 caroms, Okur follow suit with 8.3. Williams leads the team in assists and steals with 9.1 dimes and 1.15 swipes an outing.

Though they may lost to the Minnesotta Timberwolves in their last game, they are still a strong team to contend with, and favorite in the coming postseason. They are the ultimate sleeper this year. The team just needs to stay healthy. But I don’t see them leading the team standings all the way. They may end at 4 or 5 in the West, but they’ll be a nightmare for their would-be opponents in the playoffs. San Antonio is just a half game behind in the standings and may snatch the top spot from them within the month.