Top Ten April Discussions

1. Derrick Rose for MVP?
Derrick Rose’s case for MVP grows stronger every single day thanks in part to his strong 30 point demolition of Boston, and in no part, his closest rival, Dwight Howard getting his earth leading 18th technical of the season. Derrick Rose would probably win the MVP by the strength of his team’s record, his clean cut media darling image, his improvement from last season, his ability to get his team mates involved, even with a low 7.5 assist average. Him winning the MVP would be a kick to the face for Chris Paul and Jason Kidd, both whom were deserving winners that didn’t win, and the fact that he would win? What can I say? Losers can’t be whiners.

But I have to add, I love Derrick Rose’s humility, when someone in the background told him that he’s the favorite for MVP, he had a classic response that almost sounded like a jibe to LeBron James, “Please don’t say that, don’t say that”.

2. Top Teams ending the season on the losing end.

Alright, this is actually an amazing phenomenon, when’s the last time almost all teams finish the season with a limp? usually teams like the Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, hell even the Magic last season, finished their season on a tear. Sad to say that only strengthens D.Rose’s claims for MVP because only the Bulls seem to be immune against the losing plague. It would be nice to see those said top tier teams end the season with some wins, but then again, it would be good seeing them going into the playoffs on a losing streak. Needless to say, top teams, they have that playoff gear, just like how a Ferrari has another gear compared to our everyday sedan that has only 5? So they’d be alright, they can’t win 50-60 games just to lose in the first round? unless they’re Dallas of course.

3. Does the Pacers deserve to be in the playoffs?
Look, on paper and record wise, they don’t, but the fact is they are the 8th seed in the East, and are there any other teams I would want to replace the Pacers? Yeah, the Bucks, but the fact is the Pacers are better than the Bucks, they are 2-2 in the season series, but when it matters, they pulled out the win against Milwaukee to even the season series, they’ve won 12 games against teams that are in the playoffs, beating Boston, Lakers, Heat just to name a few, so they are deserving, and let’s hope they give us a competitive series against the no.1 seed ala Warriors and Mavericks.

4. Sleeper pick for MVP?
I wanted to say Dwight Howard, but then I noticed I wrote a hell of a long post defending his MVP status, so I wouldn’t say it’s Dwight, I’d go with Kevin Durant. I don’t know why no one’s talking more about the Thunder, I mean they went from an 8th seed in a tough Western conference to a 4th seed, with a chance of taking 3rd. Sure Russell Westbrook did his part by turning into an All-Star, but no one seems to care. Just because his Thunder team has another stud in it, doesn’t mean he does not deserve any MVP love, I’m infatuated by the fact that Derrick Rose has already locked in the MVP award (according multiple pundits, analysts, coaches) after the All-Star break, since when this turned into a popularity contest? Just ask D.J Mbenga

5. Are the Bulls good enough to win?
When you’re the top seed, the line gets a little bit finer, the expectation becomes higher, hell if Rose wins MVP, the expectations would sky rocket even higher, that’s when pressure kicks in, the reason why the Cavs last two seasons didn’t make it out from the Eastern conference? They couldn’t handle the pressure, they were coasting through the playoffs and suddenly a train comes they couldn’t step on the reverse gear quick enough, that’s what happened when they unexpected found the Magic waiting in 09, and it happened again with that monumental collapse against the Celtics last season. And just to stop the LeBron bashing, it happened to the Magic too, they just collapsed against the Celtics last season, the defense, the pressure, too much, just too much. Now I’m not saying that Derrick Rose or the Bulls would choke under pressure, I’m just saying that it would be good for them to know that there would be enormous extra pressure and expectations when they move deeper into the playoffs, and succumbing to pressure means losing games. But, I think the Bulls are good enough to reach the Conference Finals. But not good enough to reach the Finals, not yet. But they’ll be.

6. No signs of teams tanking to end the season, shocking!
Well, that’s just because tanking doesn’t exist! They’re professionals! Professional athletes that make millions and millions of dollars every year, why would they tank? Would they tank to draft a player that would eventually (theoretically) turn Donte Greene, the NBA player, to Donte Greene, the NBDL player? Hell no.

Alright, Who am I kidding, Of course there would be some form of tanking no matter what, but to make it sound nicer, let’s just call it strategizing, and why aren’t there any teams strategizing to end the season? Well, after what happened to New Jersey last season, teams have learned that just because you have a 25% chance of getting the first pick, doesn’t mean you got the first pick. Ask John Wall, he’d love to be hanging out with Jay-Z and Sasha Vujacic. Teams learned that the balls dropped in different ways, and it’s led a really competitive season, which is really good for the fans. Besides, this year’s draft isn’t even that good. David Kahn obviously has not learn anything at all from the 3 years as GM.

7. Sleeper picks for the playoffs
I’d say in the East, the team that wins the series between the Magic and the Hawks, could be really dangerous in the East, Philly could win some games, Knicks could get hot at any time and knock a team down, but Magic or the Hawks, they have that sleeper potential, either winner could do some damage in the Conference Semis.

Out west, there’s no other way than saying this, Denver, Portland, and Memphis, they are all darkhorses, Memphis, they have the potential to bring us back to 2007 all over again. Portland’s ending the season really strong after the win against L.A. It doesn’t matter if Brandon Roy just steps out on the court, gives a salute and doesn’t play, that’s enough to bring the crowd on it’s feet, he’s the heart and soul of the team. And the fact that he’s playing limited minutes, Portland could be really dangerous, they have Denver-ish depth. And Denver, I’d stick with my guns and gut, they’d beat the Thunder or Dallas, if George Karl gets his wish.

8. The incredible Hump
New Jersey probably has the most ridiculous promotion agency in the world, corny taglines, corny posters, I wonder why they haven’t incorporated any of the Russian flavor into the advertising, but they aren’t all bad, they have that Devin Harris for All-Star spoof that had our man Yi! getting some love, but really, I’m all good for Kris Humphries winning the Most Improved Player, but come on, The Incredible Hump? Am I the only one that’s thinking about Kim Kardashian’s ass when I read that? Can’t they find a better nickname for him? and to prep him up and increase his value during a contract year is just dumb. Nets could’ve sign him back for cheaps, but now? It’s Mikki Moore all over again.

Damn!

9. Jared Sullinger, please don’t stay in school
Seriously, the only freshman, that should come out early is Jared Sullinger, simple as that, 6-8, 260, this guy is ready to bang with the best, he shouldn’t be tied down to bang bodies with Patric Young, he should be knocking Chris Bosh down, and asking him to stay down. Besides, his stock is as high as it can be, he wouldn’t be the number one pick this season, but he wouldn’t be the number one pick next season even if he wins an NCAA championship. He would be another case of Craig Brackins if he stays another year in college.

10. Reward Tube
Amazing player that would probably not going to make the league, but he belongs there.

Brad Wanamaker.