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January 18th, 2013
 NHL Pacific Division 1. LA Kings: For the first time ever a returning Stanley Cup champion brings back their entire roster from the season before. On top of that they do so with the lockout giving them several extra months of rest. The Pacific Division is the Kings to lose. There are a couple of question marks early, the biggest being the health of Anze Kopitar. It was Kopitar’s evolution from standout to superstar in last year’s playoff (along with Jonathon Quick of course) that propelled the Kings to the Stanley Cup. With a deep group of forwards, strong goaltending and an elite lead defenseman in Drew Doughty the Kings are the odd-on favorites to win the Pacific and contend for the top overall record in the Western Conference.
2. Phoenix Coyotes: With all the excitement over the defending champion Kings last year’s division champs aren’t getting a ton of attention. The Coyotes aggressive style may not be exciting from a hockey purist standpoint, but they are deep and well coached and there’s no reason why the Coyotes can’t defend their division title. The big question mark across the board in the NHL is how teams will be affected by the lockout, good or bad. There are a few factors in the Coyotes favor. First, they had ten players actively playing during the lockout. Second, they have a number one goaltender in Mike Smith who had a massive workload last season. The extended offseason should benefit Smith. Like any small market team the Coyotes have to make tough financial decisions and it had to be hard to see Ray Whitney go to a division rival. Still, the Coyotes have done well to build from within and have kept the core of their roster. They’ll have to find a way to replace Whitney’s production offensively, but the addition of Zbynek Michalek will make a tough defense even tougher. The Coyotes will challenge the Kings until the end.
3. San Jose Sharks: The proverbial window of opportunity is probably closing in San Jose. After making deep playoff runs for consecutive years the Sharks fell back to seventh in the Western Conference last season, getting dismantled by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs. After years of consistent success last year had to be a disappointment for the Sharks. They still have a roster of capable veterans. Up front the Sharks still boast one of the deepest groups of forwards in the NHL and the likes of Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Martin Havlat and young Logan Couture surely are capable of propelling the Sharks back to the top. Defensively the Sharks brought back Brad Stuart who’ll anchor the second defensive pairing behind the excellent top unit of Dan Boyle and Brent Burns. Antti Niemi should once again provide steady goaltending. Like the two teams projected above the Sharks have had very little turnover which bodes well for a quick start. If the Sharks can get out of the gates quickly and if the brutal schedule doesn’t wear down the aging forward group the Sharks could very well make a run. Unfortunately they have the feel of a team battling for a final playoff spot.
4. Anaheim Ducks: When it comes to the Ducks, who really knows? They were brutal at the beginning of the year under Randy Carlyle then got hot right after they hired Bruce Boudreau, only to come back to earth. It all comes down to the first line. If Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan play like they did the year before last they can absolutely carry a team. If they continue to struggle and Getzlaf continues to be an enigma trade deadline moves may be in the offing. It’s a pivotal year in Anaheim. The Ducks are a high potential club but past the first line there isn’t a ton of depth. If the top line goes nuts they could contend, but that’s difficult to see considering the evolution of Phoenix and LA as elite teams. The Kings, Coyotes and Sharks are simply deeper and better.
5. Dallas Stars: The Stars head into the season with an interesting strategy, an almost anti-youth movement. In picking up Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney and Derek Roy and Stars have clearly gotten older, but they’ve also added some real veteran presence to the club. As noted before there’s really no telling how the short season will play out. On one hand the lack of a full regular season can be a boon to aging legs. On the other hand the back to back games and five games in seven days stretches might now. One positive is that Joe Nieuwendyk is clearly making moves to add a little excitement in Big D. We’ll see how quickly they can build chemistry. Even with the addition of the grizzled vets the Stars are a playoff long shot.
By Chris Michaels
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Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, NHL Pacific Division Preview Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, san jose sharks
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January 18th, 2013
 Chris Paul Clippers Bobblehead Only the first 18,000 People receive the Chris Paul Bobblehead at the Clippers Vs Thunder on Jan 22nd at the Staples Center! SO DON’T BE LATE!
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A huge game is coming ahead for the LA Clippers next Tuesday, on January the 22nd . They host the Western Conference leading team (record-wise), the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be playoff-type game. In fact, these teams are the two favorites as the finalists on the Western Conference, so it will be no surprise to see Chis Paul, Blake Griffin and their company fight against Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook for a chance to compete for ring.
It will be the second meeting between these two teams. Last time, the Thunder managed to escape with a close win at overtime, 117-111, but can they repeat? Also, the biggest question most people might have is which team can actually dethrone the Miami Heat and win the championship this season. The Clips and the Thunder are the two best teams in the West and also have the two best records in the entire league respectively.
Chris Paul has really lifted up his game during the last weeks and he is getting the help he needs from almost every teammate. He has missed three consecutive games due to a bruised right kneecap, but he will be ready for this derby, even sooner. Griffin and Crawford have proven to be the main supporters for Paul, but in general, Coach Vinnie Del Negro has just too many weapons he can use with effectiveness. Can the Thunder last and prove that they have matured enough to win a championship, after last year’s demolition in the finals by the Heat?
Well, this game will answer a lot of such questions regarding the top teams in the West and will show which one is more ready and complete. Apart from the ranking boost the winner may get, the momentum gained will most probably be the number one factor coming into this game. Both teams need this win. It is predicted to be a spectacular game with lots of tension and some great performances, with so much star power on court.
Staples Center will be rocking for this one of the Clippers biggest home games of the season.
By Chris Michaels
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Tags: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul Bobblehead, Clippers Vs Thunder, Kevin Durant, Miami Heat, Russel Westbrook, staples center, Vinnie Del Negro
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January 17th, 2013
 Kobe Bryant Defense Much criticism has fallen on the shoulders of Kobe Bryant lately regarding his individual defensive performance. Of course, the whole Lakers team is circled by clouds regarding the general team picture and this season’s record. After lots of statements from other players, coaches and journalists, Kobe may have proven the best way that he is still capable of playing NBA All-Defensive Team-like defense.
You can question many things about Lakers’ defensive system. You can easily say that Howard is not the inside presence the team needs or that Mike D’Antoni is not utilizing the whole roster the best way possible. But to say that Kobe is not playing good D? Well, ask Brandon Jennings or Kyrie Irving about that. During the last games of the Lakers, Kobe was assigned to guard two of the most lethal point guards in the league and of course the best players of each team. How did he do? He held Irving to just 15 points on 7-15 shooting from the field. He is averaging 23.6 points per game on almost 46% shooting. Two days later, Jennings finished with just 12 points on 4-14 shooting while being guarded by Kobe. His numbers this season are 18.3 Points per game and 40% from the field. But it’s not just that.
Defense is way more than individual effort in basketball. Every team needs a good defensive tactics and a well understanding of how the system works in order to play effectively. This requires a firm setup from the coaching staff and a good execution from the players. Of course Coach Mike D’Antoni isn’t known for his superior defensive systems. But you can’t either blame Kobe for the team’s run this season. In fact, Kobe might be the only player who is playing like a true superstar and leader, as he is supposed to do, on both ends of the court. Yes he might have started to age and yes NBA requires all good players to be good athletes in order to compete. However Kobe has certainly not entered the stage of his career when he can’t compete any more at the highest level. This was made clear especially after the statements of both Irving and Jennings, who had the chance to taste a bit of Kobe’s defense the last two games. Both of them pointed out the great defense they faced and also stated that it was a huge factor for the outcome of the game. The Lakers came up winning both of these games.
By Chris Michaels
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Tags: Kobe Bryant Defense, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike D’Antoni, NBA All-Defensive Team
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January 16th, 2013
 LA Clippers Eric Bledsoe Despite his youth, Eric Bledsoe has proven that he is a top caliber point guard. He was selected at the 18th spot during the 2010 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and was traded right away to the Clippers. Judging from the outcome, LA should be glad to land a player like Bledsoe.
He never really had a true chance proving his potential, but even off the bench, one could say that he can become one of the best point guards in the league. After all, the league lacks of true point guards that can set up plays and find ways to make things easier for their teammates.
Although Bledsoe might not be the ideal pass-first playmaker, his quickness, his terrific ball handling to go along with his long range shooting ability can make him a valuable member in any team in the NBA. The playing style of most teams has changed drastically during the past years. Today, we don’t see the old-fashioned teams, when the playmaker advanced the ball, the guards were on the wings shooting or penetrating and the centers filled the middle. With so much talent on the floors of the NBA, we can see many times Power Forwards playing as point guards setting up plays and centers hitting threes. That’s why any player must possess a variety of skills to become successful and have a chance to compete against the others. Eric Bledsoe is surely one of them.
Because of the injuries of teammates Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups, Bledsoe had the chance to start for two consecutive games and guess what, he recorder season highs. It’s clear that Coach Vinnie Del Negro shouldn’t worry so much about his injured players as long as Bledsoe is available. At least he shouldn’t rush them back. When asked about the possibility of starting for an NBA team, the third year guard out of Kentucky replied: “I’m just focused on winning and learning how to win right now.” It’s so important for him and his maturity to be alongside veteran point guards Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups. Playing with them every day, even at practice, is the best school for any young player to improve his skills. Plus, we know that both Paul and Billups are like on court assistant coaches.
So the answer to the question about Bledsoe possibly starting for an NBA team is surely affirmative. The future is projected bright for Eric, as soon as he manages to retain his improving performance and stays healthy. But even at this stage of his career, he could easily start for many NBA teams, not to say above half of them.
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Tags: Blake Griffin, Chauncey Billup, Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, Los Angeles Clippers, nba, Oklahoma City Thunder
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January 16th, 2013
 Rudy Gay to the Clippers? It’s no secret that every time the trade deadline approaches, teams get more aggressive pursuing players and contriving trades. This year is no exception to that rule. One of the most discussed possible movements currently is the trade of star forward Rudy Gay. He is an all-star caliber player with great athletic and physical abilities and a true scorer. He is also only 26 years old and really has the potential to upgrade any team he will fit into. But should the LA Clippers consider making an offer for him?
Well, first of all Rudy Gay will be expensive to acquire and to maintain. He is currently earning $16,5 million for this season and he is owed a total of $53 million for the next three seasons. We are just about $1 million under the luxury tax, which means the cap space needs to be cleared for Gay’s arrival. Possibly, in a trade, Eric Bledsoe, Caron Butler and one other player from the Clips could be packaged, so we can land Gay in LA. Is it worth it?
Well, as great as a player Gay is, he surely will need the ball in his hands a lot of time. He is certainly an upgrade at Small Forward and he can easily create his own shot, but does this team lack of a scorer? Also, Gay is an excellent rebounder for a small forward, averaging 6.4 RPG for his career, but when it comes for defense, you can’t state that he has a similar performance, despite his athletic skills.
In my opinion, with the great balance we’ve seen from our guys and with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford on the team, I would had to think twice before answering. It may sound great having Rudy Gay on our roster, but if you think of what we will lose in order to get him, then it most probably wouldn’t be a great idea to run for the trade. It’s not only about the players we’ll lose, it’s about the chemistry we have already built and that’s why we perform so well almost every night. We are in the best position since our franchise was founder. A winning team shouldn’t be changed.
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By Chris Michaels
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(213)749-0057
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Tags: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, nba, Rudy Gay, Trade Rumor
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January 15th, 2013
 Los Angeles Angels Tickets With another big offseason splash in Anaheim and the mega-moves made in Chavez Ravine, Southern California just may be the new center of the baseball universe. The baseball arms race has left the Northeast and shifted west. A year removed from the massive Albert Pujols contract the Angels surprised many by doling out another massive contract, this time to the mega-talented but sometime troubled Josh Hamilton. By replacing Torii Hunter with Hamilton the Angels have gotten younger and scarier from an opposing pitcher perspective, with an outfield that now boasts two of the most naturally gifted players in the last twenty years in Mike Trout and Hamilton.
The move to sign Hamilton was coupled with the cost cutting dumping of Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and Hunter. It’s no question the Angels have gotten flashier, but have they gotten better? Here’s a rundown with some analysis of their offseason moves.
Josh Hamilton: There’s no question that if Josh Hamilton is healthy the Angels probably boast three of the top ten hitters in the game. From an outsiders perspective the gut reaction to the deal is that the Angels clearly upgraded over Torii Hunter. Although they clearly got younger, the performance of Hamilton from an advanced metrics perspective was comparable to Hunter’s performance last year. As David Schoenfeld at ESPN has pointed out via Baseball-Reference Hunter actually had a higher Wins Above Replacement (5.5) than Hamilton (3.4) last year. Hamilton clearly outpaced Hunter from a traditional baseball statistical perspective (HR’s, RBI’s, etc) but did so with a higher number of plate appearances and in a much more hitter friendly ballpark. Of course Hunter is an aging player and likely would not have repeated his performance of the previous year. Hamilton should also benefit from the presence of Albert Pujols in the lineup. Of course signing Josh Hamilton to such a big and lengthy contract is not without risk. Although he’s performed pretty consistently in Texas there is the always present risk of addiction, as well as a history of nagging injuries. From a win-now perspective it’s probably a good move.
Questionable back-end of the rotation: The Angels went after Zack Grienke but lost out to the cross-town Dodgers. Instead of using the Grienke money on pitching they used in on Hamilton. This combined with Dan Haren now being in a Nationals uniform has left some question marks in the rotation. Haren clearly regressed last year and it was probably wise to move him based on the sheer number of innings he’s pitched over the past decade. With Haren out as well as rotation fixture Ervin Santana the Angels rotation will have a different look. The big question is who’s the number three behind established aces Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson? They went out and added Joe Blanton and Tommy Hansen who both had ERA’s in the high fours in the National League. It’s questionable how those moves will transfer to the AL. Blanton is an innings eater but in most rotations is typically your fourth or fifth starter. Hansen has respectable career numbers but has a history of injuries. The bottom of the Angels rotation is a big question mark.
The Lineup: The starting pitching question marks may not be that important since the lineup is going to be ridiculous. What can you say about Mike Trout that hasn’t been already said, other than the fact he had one of the greatest seasons in baseball history as a rookie. The projected top six of Trout, Aybar, Pujols, Hamilton, Trumbo and Kendrick may be the top lineup in baseball. It’s difficult to find any weak spots and its likely Trumbo surpasses power numbers from last season.
Burnett and Madson: A traditional strength under Mike Scioscia the bullpen was a bit of a disaster last season and clearly in need of an upgrade. In Sean Burnett and Ryan Madson the Angels made a couple of nice moves, especially with the pickup of the underrated Burnett. Over the past few years in Pittsburgh and Washington Burnett has quietly been one of the more effective left set up men in the National League, pitching a solid number of innings with an ERA under three. Just thirty he’s still in his prime and the Angels were able to get him at a premium, just 8 million over 2 years. Even though Madson is coming off Tommy John surgery and may not be ready for opening day, he’s a compelling pickup who could provide some depth at the back of the pen. Madson and Burnett should provide depth, but there are still some question marks with closer Ernesto Frieri. Last season was a tale of two halves for Frieri, with his numbers regressing after the all-star break, contributing to the Angels total of 23 blown saves last season which tied Boston for first in the AL.
It’s hard to get a feel on what these moves will mean in the end. Although Hamilton brings a big bat to the lineup they signed him in lieu of going after pitching. With Haren gone and Grienke with the Dodgers the starting rotation really has some question marks. The bullpen has added depth and Frieri is a year older. Will the Angels simply outscore teams? With one of the best managers in the game they’re always going to be a contender, but it’s hard to see the Angels running away with things in a pretty competitive division. .
By Chris Cabrera
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Tags: Albert Pujols, Joe Blanton, Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Scioscia, Mike Trout, Torii Hunter
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January 15th, 2013
 LA Kings Staples Center Practice Last night the Stanley Cup Champions welcomed the Los Angeles Fans to watch them practice at the LA Staples Center.
Barry’s Ticket Service offered free tickets to watch the practice.
“It was really cool to watch them practice” said Michele B “I have never seen it before and got me really pumped for this upcoming season, to bad its so short”.
“Thanks Barry’s Tickets my Kids had a great time watching the Kings practice” – Steve S.
“The Kings were really appreciative of the fans coming out to the practice, they waved at the kids and seemed really nice” – Pat M
“Thanks very much for the opportunity to watch them practice, you guys are great”. Tim L
The Kings open up the 2013 NHL Season against the Blackhawks on Jan 19th at the Los Angeles Staples Center.
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 Quick make save at Kings Practice  LA Kings Fans  Los Angeles Kings Practice at the Staples Center
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January 14th, 2013
 Anaheim Ducks Lost in the Kings improbably Stanley Cup run last year was the second half resurgence of the Anaheim Ducks. Under new coach Bruce Boudreau the Ducks went on a decent run that provided a little redemption from the brutal start under Randy Carlyle, but still left them in past place in the Pacific Division. The competitive form under Boudreau, combined with his offensive-minded coaching style, does provide a little bit of excitement for Orange County hockey fans. Still, the club has missed the playoffs two of the past three years and most “experts” agree that they’re a fringe playoff contender at best. So the upcoming strike-shortened season will be an important gauge of the direction and future of the club.
The talent is there, unfortunately the on-paper talent didn’t equate to production this past season. For all the big names on the roster the club heads into this season with a whole bunch of “ifs”.
Some keys to the upcoming Ducks season:
Getzlaf, Perry and Bobby Ryan:
With the new collective bargaining agreement in place NHL clubs will need maximum performance from their top paid players. With tighter salary cap limitations the pressure on the high paid stars to perform will only increase. In Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan the Ducks have a young trio that virtually every other team in the league would take in a heartbeat—if production would only match up with promise.
There are few players more talented than Ryan Getzlaf. When at this best he’s a big and physical two-way center. Unfortunately, at least over the past two seasons, his promise and potential hasn’t lived up to his actual performance and contract. After averaging more than a point per game in his previous four seasons, Getzlaf managed only .69 points per game last year, with only eleven goals in 82 games. He has the ability to be a transcendent, top five-center NHL center and the Ducks need a lot more from their captain.
It would have been hard for Corey Perry to top his Hart Trophy winning fifty-goal scoring season, but near forty-point drop in overall production was indicative of the Ducks overall season. You can’t expect your top goal-scorer to light the lamp fifty times ever year, but perhaps more concerning was Perry netting twenty-five fewer assists than his MVP year.
Bobby Ryan’s production didn’t dip as much as the aforementioned Getzlaf/Perry duo, but it did dip a bit. The American-born power forward scored thirty-goals for the fourth straight season, but did see a fifteen point drop in points from the season before. Part of this lack of production was a failed move to center for Ryan, who’ll be back at and more comfortable in the forward spot. In all there was a near point a game reduction in scoring from the teams big three, a major factor in the slow start and disappointing season.
In the Net:
When healthy Jonas Hiller is one of the top talents in the league and after his struggles with vertigo he was healthy most of last season and provided a respectable 2.57 goals against average. Of course goaltending is only part of the defensive equation, but the Ducks have every right to feel confident about Hiller and his backup Viktor Fasth. The veteran Fasth, who’s played his entire career to date in the Sweden, received the Honken Award as the top goaltender in the Swedish league each of the past two seasons. He’s also the goaltender for the Swedish National Team. The acquisition of Fasth should provide competition for Hiller and give the Ducks comfortable depth behind Hiller, or a capable starter should Hiller get injured or struggle.
Sheldon Souray and Bryan Allen
The pickup of veteran puck-moving defenseman Sheldon Souray should help the Ducks defensively and be a boon for the power play. The Ducks were in the bottom half of the league last year in power play efficiency and really lacked what Souray can potentially provide. His puck moving abilities and strong shot from the point should help Getzlaf and Perry and improve the power play. In spending over twenty million in offseason contracts the Ducks are committed to improving their defense. In additional to Souray they signed defensive defenseman Bryan Allen to further shore up the defense. On paper the defensive group should be much improved, with Souray and Allen providing assistance for the Ducks top tandem of Francois Bouchemin and Cam Fowler.
A Bunch of “If’s”
With a huge part of their salary cap tied up in a handful of players the Ducks are not alone in today’s NHL. The moves up upgrade the defense will surely help and the Ducks don’t lack in top line talent. As pointed out by several pundits the Ducks still have the talented core capable to being a contender, but there’s a lot that has to go right to get back into playoff contention. It’s hard to imagine that Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan will repeat the down season of last year, on sure talent alone. Souray and Allen will shore up the defense and the goaltending situation is a good one. Daniel Winnik and Brad Staubitz should provide veteran grit, as will the ageless Teemu Selanne. If young players such as Kyle Palmieri and Devante Smith-Pelly can step up and provide production on the second and third lines the Ducks shouldn’t be as top heavy as they’ve been the past couple of years.
So What Gives?
For all the talent there’s still a bunch of question marks, especially regarding the long-term future of Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan. Bruce Boudreau has had a prolonged offseason to institute his system and he’s a proven commodity. They’ve made some good defensive pickups in the offseason that should help the overall product. Unfortunately they need to make more than marginal improvement. In a division that includes the Kings, Coyotes, Stars and Sharks it’s difficult to imagine the Ducks finishing higher than fourth and a fringe playoff spot at best.
By Chris Cabrera
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Barry’s Ticket Service Costa Mesa Office
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Tags: Anaheim Ducks 2013 Season Roster players schedule
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January 14th, 2013
 Lakers Playoffs It may be a weird question for every Lakers fans, but it’s the reality we all have to face. We may be used to ask whether or not we are going to win the Pacific Division, the Western conference or even the championship. However this season, things have changed. What we’ll have to fight for is to secure the 8th spot in the conference and enter the playoffs. Can we do that? Of course we can. Will we manage to achieve that? Let’s hope so.
After 37 games the Lakers now are 16-21 and rank 11th in the Western Conference. The 8th seed is taken currently by the Portland Trailblazers, who have a 20-17 record. They are 4 games ahead of the Lakers. Houston is 7th with 21-7 and the Nuggets are now 6th with 23-16. So the first target for us at this point is to achieve as many wins as possible in order to secure at least the 8th seed. We might have a tough schedule up ahead, with lots of games against above 0.500 teams, like the Heat, Memphis and the Thunder, but with Howard back on the team after an unspecified injury and with Nash already back, we can be pretty confident that we can win any game. Gasol is also expected to return the next few days and that will allow us to see the full potential of our team finally. We have yet to see how the entire team can play all together since the very beginning of the season. Due to our misfortunes and the constant injuries of our best players, we are in a tough position right now. But in the end I think we will manage to get what we want and believe me, as soon as we enter the playoffs, things will change drastically. We are champions, we have the heart of a champion plus a bunch of superstars in our team and we will not be easy prey for any predator in our Conference.
If we manage to get our entire team back and keep them healthy so we can get some rhythm, I am sure wins will come. Perhaps some tweaks during till the transfer deadline could help in that direction. Chemistry is not built overnight and that has to be made clear to all of us. We can play like a contender and I am sure we will when we have everybody up and rolling once again. Not only can we enter the playoffs, but we can take over many of our playoff opponents.
By Chris Michaels
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Tags: Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 2013 Playoffs, nba, Steve Nash
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January 13th, 2013
 Chris Paul LA Clippers NO 1 MVP Candiate Chris Paul is currently leading the race to the 2013 season MVP title and it’s no surprise. It’s not only about the stats and the scores he provides. It’s bigger. It’s about the impact he had and continues to have in the Clippers organization. It’s about him providing solutions each night and playing like an on-court coach, making his teammates better. Team success comes through individual effort and each member of the Clippers team knows that well. This great performance and the winning record our team has, exposes Paul’s impact even further. Let’s take a look at what he has achieved up to now this season.
Number wise, the five-time all-star point guard has had an excellent season, averaging almost 17 PPG, 9.7 assists and 2.6 steals. In fact he ranks first in the league in steals and trails only Rajon Rondo in assists. He is the only player in the entire league to average at least 15 points, nine assists and two steals per game. His numbers went up during the historic 17-game winning streak of LA, but even after that he continued to deliver huge games. In fact he dished a season-high 16 assist during last week’s win against the Mavs.
But believe me his value goes well beyond just numbers and stats. Some things in basketball can’t be counted by numbers, but those who watch and know about fundamentals, can understand the difference between a good player and a great player. Paul is surely one great player. The way he sets up his team, making plays for his teammates and easing up things for the rest of his team is a unique charisma that only a few players in the entire NBA possess. His Basketball IQ and his awareness on offense and on D is what complete the picture of a true superstar and team leader. Most of his teammates express their admiration to Paul’s performance and presence on the court. Some even compare him to Jason Kidd during his legendary days.
One thing is for certain. The LA Clippers are not the joke they used to be, even after the acquisition of Blake Griffin. Our entire organization has done a terrific job and our team has all the potential to drive us to the NBA finals and even perhaps celebrate our first Championship. Things might go even better and Chris Paul is the one who can lead us all the way to the top. He well deserves the MVP award, judging from his up to now performance and impact to our team.
By Chris Michaels
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Tags: Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers MVP 2013
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