By Paul Gotham

Did someone mention PLAYOFFS?!?

Sixes are wild in the NHL. Elimination is possible is in the NBA. And, oh yeah, the Bucks and Hawks will actually play a game.

Thomas Vanek is back in the lineup for the Sabres as they visit Beantown.

Patrick Kane and the Black Hawks look to advance.

The Habs try to stave off elimination.

Can Dwight Howard stay out of foul trouble?

Can Brandon Roy do it again?

Brandon Jennings is on the loose!

All this and more.

It’s not just game day. It’s playoff day. Share your views on “THE PINE!”

By Paul Gotham

Eastern Conference

Bulls vs. Cavs

Maybe the Bulls could show as much spirit on the court as their coach, Vinny Del Negro, and GM, John Paxson, show off the court. I missed the announcement of “Joakim Rules.” Maybe Vinny should consult with Joe Girardi.  It’s kind of nice how the Bulls positioned themselves to be the Cavs’ appetizer. Chicago won 10 of its last 14 to get in the playoffs. Can Derrick Rose continue getting to the basket now that it is the playoffs, and teams will actually play defense? Can Shaq get in stride after a layoff? Does Shaq still have a stride? LeBron should be plenty rested.

Heat vs. Celtics

As far as seeds and numbers go, Miami winning would fall into the category of an upset. How many would be surprised if the Heat took this series? Does it matter any more that Boston swept the season series? The Cs have dropped eight of 13. Of course, it’s not like the Heat have anyone beyond D-Wade that they can actually count on from night to night. Do you hear that Michael Beasley and Jermaine O’Neal?

Hawks vs. Bucks

Has the potential to be the best first round series. Milwaukee will go without Andrew Bogut, but do not discount Scott Skiles and his ability to motivate the Bucks. Don’t forget, the Bucks have John Salmons who has the reputation for playing big in the playoffs. Salmons will need a great performance to thwart the Hawks.

Anyone looking for Marvin Williams will find him in Atlanta’s lineup. Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson average 33 a game. Skiles’s defense should shrink those numbers.

Magic vs. Bobcats

Maybe the Vince Carter acquisition wasn’t such a bad idea after all. “Vinsanity” is averaging 16.6. More importantly, the “Iso King” is not disrupting Orlando’s offensive flow. Jason Williams is getting a second chance and making good on it. His presence along with Jameer Nelson’s make the Magic a contender. Congratulations to the Bobcats for qualifying for the playoffs.

Western Conference

Lakers vs. Thunder

You know things are not right with Lakers when Phil Jackson has to resort to mind games in the first round of the playoffs. Just when Kevin Durant showed maturity beyond his years, he goes and reacts to Jackson’s gibes. It will be interesting to see how many shots Durant takes in the first game or two of this series. He averages 20 shots per game.  What is there to not like about the Thunder’s roster: James Harden, Jeff Green, Nick Collison, and Eric Maynor. They have a good, young lineup. They are just not ready to win this series.  How much of LA’s success in the long run depends on Andrew Bynum’s Achilles’ tendon?

Nuggets vs. Jazz

Denver has lost their way since George Karl’s bout with cancer has taken him off the sidelines.  Carlos Boozer is a game time decision. Both lineups pack plenty of talent. Which team will get the most mileage out of their gas?

Mavericks vs. Spurs

Oh, the intrigue. Dallas looked ready for a title run after acquiring Caron Butler. Dallas has lost just seven games since getting Butler on February 16th. Does anyone want to play the Spurs in the playoffs? How much playoff experience do the Spurs have? Tony Parker is back in the lineup.

Suns vs. Blazers

Probably the most entertaining series. There will be plenty of scoring. Portland without Brandon Roy does not bode for the Blazers making any noise in the playoffs.

Splinters

Remember when Rey questioned Boston’s acquisition of Rasheed Wallace? If you don’t, click here. Bill Simmons added his commentary on the Celtics picking up Wallace. Read it here. Rey saw the smoke months ago.

Cheers to Lionel Hollins for showing Kenyon Martin how it’s done.

Give us your take on the NBA playoffs.

AP Photo/John Raoux

By Paul Gotham

Van Gundy criticizes Carter’s defense…or lack thereof

It sure didn’t take long, and it sure comes as no surprise that Stan Van Gundy voiced his displeasure with Vince Carter’s defensive effort in practice.  On the second day of practice, Wednesday, Carter decided to take off a play and let JJ Redick go back door for an easy deuce. Van Gundy let Carter know of his dissatisfaction and commented that an individual video session was in the eight-time all-star’s future.

The Magic’s acquisition of Carter continues to be a head-scratcher. During last year’s playoffs, Orlando thrived on perimeter ball movement. In the past, Carter has demonstrated that he is one-man flow-of-offense hindrance.  Should we guess as to the over / under on the number of times Van Gundy and Carter air their differences this season.

Knicks playing the waiting game

When the Knicks traded Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph they freed $27.3 million for their 2010-11 salary. Now Eddie Curry and his $11.3 million contract becomes the question. Will Curry show he is worth the investment and reach his potential?  Or will Curry become valuable trade bait? Or will Curry be a bust?

Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh will have to bide their time before they can take advantage of the upcoming free agent class. Whatever happens, the Knicks will look to improve on 2008-09 when they finished seven games out of the playoffs at 32-50. The Knicks haven’t qualified for the post-season since 2004.

Super subs

Peja Stojakovic and Kirk Hinrich will settle into new roles this season coming off the bench. Stojakovic enters his twelfth season of play. Last year, the native of Serbia played just 61 games because of back ailments. Stojakovic is the highest paid player on the Hornets’ roster.

After last season, Hinrich thought he would be traded. The trade did not occur. Now, with Derrick Rose and John Salmons penciled in as the Bulls’ starting back court, Hinrich will come off the bench this season – his seventh in the NBA.

Recovering from knee surgery Al Jefferson is looking to earn a spot with Timberwolves this season.  The center dropped 31 pounds this summer. Jefferson credits Subway for his leaner look.  Dining on ham and turkey footlongs have helped Jefferson get ready for the season. And, no, he doesn’t even have a deal with the sandwich maker.

Arenas injured again

Grilling outside has taken another hit. No, it’s not Gilbert Arenas’s surgically repaired knee. Arenas sat out scrimmages on consecutive days due to an injured finger. Get over it!!!!

Scab …errr replacement refs to start pre-season

The lockout between the NBA and its officials has not ended, and replacement officials will blow whistles for at least the pre-season. Here’s hoping that the background checks on these guys include any possible gambling history.

Pacers got the injury bug

Mike Dunleavy(knee), Tyler Hansbrough(shin), and Travis Diener(toe) will all watch from the sidelines when Indiana opens pre-season play versus Chicago.  Troy Murphy is questionable as he recovers from a sprained ankle.

Got any NBA splinters? Share them here.

By Paul Gotham

Reckoning Season

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady face personal crossroads this upcoming season. Both entered the league with much fanfare. Golden State chose Carter with the fifth choice of the ’98 draft. Toronto picked T-Mac ninth in the ’97 draft.

Since draft night Carter has played on teams that have won three playoff series. As of now, Carter does not know the NBA playoffs beyond the second round.

McGrady is still waiting to celebrate the winning of a playoff series.

Carter joins an Orlando Magic team that fell one game shy of the NBA title.

When Hedo Turkoglu opted for Toronto and its Turkish community, Magic GM, Otis Smith, acted quickly and acquired Carter. On the surface, Carter seems like an upgrade.  The ’99 Rookie-of-the Year is physically imposing. Orlando’s half-court set thrives on 4-Out around Dwight Howard leaving plenty of open floor. Carter should be able to capitalize and use his ability to go off the dribble.

But Carter will need to play a role supporting role with the Magic – something he has never seemed comfortable with in the past. Turkoglu’s biggest contribution to the Magic might have been his ability to let the game come to him. Rarely, did Turkoglu force a shot. Carter, on the other hand, might be responsible for single handedly exposing the limitations of the Iso set.

Making Carter’s plight more challenging is the overall improvement of the Eastern Conference. Add to that the loss of Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee (traded for Carter) and Orlando could find themselves exiting early in the 2010 playoffs.

Can Carter pick up the slack?

McGrady watched as his Houston Rockets eliminated Portland in the first round and lost in seven games to the eventual champion, Los Angeles Lakers. Many stuck a fork in the Rockets. McGrady spent most of the season sidelined with a knee injury. Then the Rockets shuffled Alston to Orlando leaving second-year man Aaron Brooks to run the point guard position. Rather than collapsing, the Rockets had a revival.

With the return of McGrady to lineup, will Houston improve? Or will the Rockets regress to a previous state of playoff incompetence?

Beasley Checks Into Re-Hab

ESPN is reporting that Miami Heat first round pick, Michael Beasley checked himself into a rehab center in Houston. Details are unclear, but it appears the rookie is suffering from chemical dependence.

This is not meant as a cut on Beasley, but how many of us saw this coming? Beasley lacked maturity at Kansas State. He argued with teammates and coaches. Sure, he is an impressive physical specimen with incredible athletic abilities. When will NBA teams figure out that it takes more than athleticism to be a professional?

Beasley was Miami’s second leading scorer. Perhaps, the best statement about Beasley might be that from Dwyane Wade. While Wade hasn’t come right out and directly criticized Beasley, the Heat’s leading scorer is making waves about his future. Wade has lobbied for the Heat to bring in more talent. Is that because Wade knows Beasley is four years away from consistently contributing?

Beasley, as many young players, needed an opportunity to grow without the pressures of playing professional. Instead he gets thrust into a spot where he lacks the coping mechanisms to succeed.

Here’s hoping Beasley gets the help needed to work through his problems. Here’s hoping NBA execs let kids make their mistakes in an environment that has the potential to nuture.

Got some Splinters to share? Post ‘em here.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Kobe Bryant: the youngest player to reach 20,000 points.

LeBron James: the youngest player to reach 10,000 points and the quickest ever to 12,000.

As is always the case with great players, nobody expects you to stop them. You just need to somehow contain them. The “you” in this season’s case is the Orlando Magic’s Mickael Pietrus. The 6’6” wing player from France guarded James in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now with his team in the 2009 NBA Finals, he is the “Magic Man” who must try to contain the scoring machine that is Kobe Bryant.

Don’t believe for a second that Pietrus doesn’t welcome the challenge. It’s written on his face every game as he assuredly chews his gum and keeps the poise of a wildcat stealthily hunting its prey. Maybe that’s how he got his nickname, “Puma.” If Pietrus plans to live up to that nickname in the Finals, he’ll have to be as sneaky as a wildcat, too.

Orlando General Manager Otis Smith knew what he was getting when he signed Pietrus from Golden State. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy knew it, too. After signing him in the summer of 2008, Van Gundy said Pietrus would “Go to Cleveland and he’ll probably guard LeBron James . . . and guys like that at the two.”

Pietrus has been labeled a “versatile player” and most importantly a “lockdown defender.” The Magic knew that a defensive player like Pietrus would be an imperative part in competing for the NBA Title. With the rest of the pieces in place, Orlando took only one season to conquer the East and now vie for the title against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Though Bryant and James are great scorers, the defensive assignment changes drastically from one to the next.

Against James, Pietrus guarded a barreling locomotive. James benefited from an extra two inches and could easily shoot over Pietrus. More times than not, however, James looked to create by attacking the lane. Pietrus was able to keep James in front of him most of the time and challenge shots and passes with either hand.

Pietrus also benefited with Dwight Howard playing the middle and knew that even though James might be able to turn Pietrus’ hips and gain the advantage, the defense would rotate. Many times though Pietrus remained square with James, forced him to the block and baseline, and didn’t get his hips turned and succumbed to a clean look at the basket. James was forced to rely heavily on his teammates to knock down outside shots.

The Eastern Finals turned out to be more about the strength of Pietrus than anything else. Based on game one of the Finals, he will have to match wits in guarding the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.

Pietrus challenged every jump shot Bryant took off the dribble. Because he and Bryant are the same height, Pietrus kept him relatively contained and went literally hand-to-hand with him on shot attempts. Bryant may have realized that he wouldn’t shake the equally quick and tall Pietrus every time.

Bryant attacked the middle of the floor and only attempted one three-pointer for the game. A majority of his shots came between 10-17 feet, mostly near the elbows. This is where Bryant outsmarted Pietrus.

By attacking the elbows, Bryant used Pietrus’ momentum against him. Bryant would either make his way to the rim or jump-stop. If he jump-stopped, Pietrus’ momentum often didn’t allow him to stop with him thus creating a little space. Bryant could take the shot or kick it out.

If Pietrus was able to anticipate the jump-stop, Bryant would utilize his pivot foot. Pietrus would overcompensate and close out on Bryant as he pivoted away from Pietrus as if to attempt a fade away jumper. When Pietrus recovered and closed down, Bryant would either up-fake and try to draw the foul or completely step across Pietrus and shoot a leaner.

Bryant ended up shooting 9-19 from that range, but also made all 8 of his free throw attempts. (Some of these attempts came off a Laker pick-and-roll).

Looking at the stat sheet, Mickael Pietrus looks like the worst defender of all time. The Magic allowed James to average over 35 points per game. In game one of the Finals, Kobe Bryant took Pietrus and Courtney Lee for 40 points and 8 assists. But to say Pietrus isn’t getting the job done is missing the point.

Pietrus is so versatile that he can physically match the two diverse styles of Bryant and James. Undoubtedly, he will give up a massive amount of points. But watch closely – he is making things a little more difficult for each player than it appears. Only Pietrus can remain so confident after giving up so many points.

The harder of the two challenges will in fact be Kobe Bryant. His understanding of the game and how to score reach beyond that of the youthful LeBron James. Bryant had his way in game one and showed everyone that basketball is as much mental as it is physical. For all his athletic prowess on the court, Kobe Bryant is also one of the smartest players to ever play the game.

We’ve seen that Pietrus can get it done physically on the defensive end, but these Finals will show if the “Puma” will prove his stealth if he can match wits with wits with Bryant.

Fernando Medina/NBA/Getty Images

I probably need to clarify that I have no invested interest in what I am about to write concerning one of the most celebrated and equivocally detested college basketball players of all time. I’m not a Duke fan, nor am I a Duke hater.

Former Duke University star, J.J. Redick, is much more valuable to the Orlando Magic than the stat sheet may reveal. In fact, the Magic cannot win a playoff series without him.

(Please refrain from coarse language and crass comments until further reading).

Sure the numbers don’t jump off of the stat sheet thus far in the playoffs (6.1 points, 2.1 assists in just about 23 minutes a game), but he brings to the game certain qualities and a basketball IQ that makes everyone around him a little bit better.

Redick has played a more active role since the injury to Courtney Lee in the Philadelphia series. Prior to game five in that series, he played only 12 total minutes. From game five onward he averaged nearly 27 minutes per contest.

The increased minutes did not result in increased points from the regular season. The point was not for Redick to replace Lee, because quite frankly, Courtney Lee Redick’s game is not. Redick rather has filled in as a quintessential role player.

Redick’s contributions have Orlando coach, Stan Van Gundy, realizing Redick is not someone he can just part with now that Lee has returned.

Offensively, Redick’s execution of the high pick-and-roll with All-Star center, Dwight Howard, has been masterful. He has not shown much of an ability to create for himself off of it (he’s shooting below 40 percent in the playoffs), but he is successful at drawing both defenders and making a timely pass through the trap.

If the defender follows him over the screen, Redick takes a sharp angle as Howard creates space on the roll. Howard’s man, mostly in the Boston series, looked to close out on Redick and force him into a trap especially off the baseline side of the screen.

Reading the defender the whole way, Redick has been making pinpoint bounce passes to the rolling Howard. Few times has the defender gone underneath the screen because Redick is still feared as a shooter.

How valuable is this? Many players might become a little too greedy off the pick-and-roll and get caught in a trap or force a shot. Not Redick. He knows the game plan and follows it precisely. It establishes their best offensive threat early and potentially puts opposing big men in foul trouble.

It also establishes an inside-out game plan that completely opens the floor in the latter stages of the game. Boston had trouble defending this even though they knew when it would be run because Redick executed it so well. And Redick does it without turning the ball over (4 total in the 2009 playoffs).

When the pick would not come, Redick became an ideal perimeter teammate. If open, he shot (though not too well). If not, Redick would allow the defense to close down on him and quickly reverse the ball. With defenders committing on one side of the floor, a quick reversal opened up backside options for the Magic.

Hedo Turkoglu, Mikael Pietrus, and Rafer Alston benefited from such altruism; they often found themselves with open shots or, in Alston’s case, an open lane with an opportunity to attack the basket when the defense did not rotate quick enough.

Redick has been no slouch defensively either. Most of the Boston series he had to defend Ray Allen. This is where the little, subtle things make a player quite valuable to his team.

In the Boston-Chicago series in the first round, Ben Gordon spent most of his time defending Allen. He followed Allen through all screens. Mistakenly, however, Gordon would allow himself to get widened out on cuts and not work to keep between Allen and the basket. As a result, Gordon chased Allen more than defended him. Any time Allen used multiple screens and rescreens Gordon became completely lost.

Redick defended Allen much more aggressively. He would stay in front and force Allen to go through him to reach the screener. This often caused Allen to round off his cuts through screens and gave Redick’s teammates opportunities to bump him as well. Because Allen was not cutting as precisely and sharply, it was easier for Redick to close out on his shot.

Whereas Gordon relied too much on his speed to defend Allen, Redick never really chased, probably because he knew it would have been in vain. Instead he made it a wrestling match between the two as Allen tried to run the resilient Redick into screens, but often to no avail.

Allen’s field goal and three-point percentage took a big dive between the two series. Against Chicago, he shot 45 percent from the floor and 47 percent from beyond the arc. In the Orlando series, Allen only managed 34 percent from the floor and an abysmal 19 percent (8-42) from three point range.

Was Allen’s decline due solely to J.J. Redick? Certainly not, but the way in which Redick defended had to play a role on Allen’s comfort level and fatigue late in games.

Redick will probably never live up to the expectations of being a lottery pick, but he doesn’t have to. His merit isn’t in the points column. His merit is something more intangible.

Contrary to popular anti-Duke belief, J.J. Redick will be an NBA player for years to come. And if you are a Duke fan, than that gives you yet another NBA veteran and even more haters.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The Orlando Magic earned their due. They stared down the defending champs and came out on top.  Never mind that the Celtics had never in franchise history lost a playoff series after taking a 3-2 lead.  Never mind that the game took place in Boston where the Celtics success in game 7s is unparalleled.  Never mind that Ray Allen seemed to be a shadow of himself.  Never mind everything stacked against them.  The Magic did not panic, shot 13 of 21 from long range, and  won 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Who gets your POTW?