WWE chairman Vince McMahon can't believe the Denver Nuggets are still playing.
So far, so good for the NBA and its anticipated dream matchup: Kobe vs. LeBron in the Finals. But while King James and the Cleveland Cavaliers should have enough to body-slam the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers could be in trouble against a team that already has scored a major takedown over Vince McMahon and WWE.
The Denver Nuggets breezed into the Western Conference finals and are rested and ready for a Lakers team that needed to go seven games to dispatch the Houston Rockets, who were without Tracy McGrady the entire series and Yao Ming for the final four games.
The Nuggets' presence in the conference finals comes as a particular surprise to both McMahon and the people in charge of booking events at Denver's Pepsi Center. The Nuggets will host Game 4 there Monday, despite the fact a World Wrestling Entertainment "Monday Night Raw" had been scheduled for the building that night. As the Denver Post reports, 10,000 tickets have been sold for the WWE event, leaving McMahon fuming.
"I'm up the creek, and I don't have a paddle, either -- I really don't know what to do," McMahon told the newspaper. WWE booked the Pepsi Center last August and received a contract for the event as recently as April 15, a week before the Nuggets entered the playoffs.
McMahon told the Associated Press he doesn't believe there was "any malice, just ineptness" on the part of Kroenke Sports, which owns the Nuggets and the Pepsi Center, and blamed Kroenke for not having confidence in the Nuggets. "The fans in Denver had a lot more faith in making the playoffs than the owner," McMahon said.
Although McMahon still is threatening to send his trucks to Denver to stage "Raw" that night, the NBA playoffs have priority at the building and league officals expressed confidence that the WWE event could be rescheduled.
So the Nuggets already are causing problems, and don't be surprised if they spoil the expected Lakers-Cavaliers showdown as well. Denver, coached by the crafty George Karl and energized this season by new point guard Chauncey Billups, could well spring an upset on Kobe & Co.
Other than the classic Bulls-Celtics series and the unexpected stubbornness of the Rockets against the Lakers, these NBA playoffs haven't been that interesting -- especially for Chicago fans whose focus has been diverted by the Blackhawks. Will you be tuning in for the NBA's conference finals, and do you think you'll be watching LeBron wrestling with Kobe come June?
Now WWE fans will finally be able to say this with a straight face:
"I went to a fight last night, and a hockey game broke out."
Stu - THANK YOU!!!! I have been glued to the screen for a lot of NBA action. Nuggets dispacted Dallas like they were an expansion team, and they are for real. I still expect the Lakers to make it through that series because they have the game's most talented player and arguably the game's best coach ever. And the team is very good defensively with an experienced back court and formidable front line. That being said, I am rooting for LA to fall like Rome did. I want the league's best player and MVP to win his first championship because he has EARNED it. But he is going to have to earn it also. Whoever left standing from the West will be difficult foe to subdue in a series and DONT sleep on Orlando!!! Orlando is very much like Denver. They have their own Superman and a plethera of dangerous seasoned shooters.
I expect an all out battle royal for the trophy! My heart is with Cleveland, my mind with LA, and my hope with Denver. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE BULLS fighting it out with Cleveland, but I will leave that alone.
Regarding the scheduling debacle between the WWE and the NBA Playoff game, I'm sure both sides will be or should be able to work something out behind closed doors. All this fuming by McMahon on TV is just publicity, simple as that. That's what he does best and that's why the man's a billionaire. It's the hype machine at its best, just like the "Kobe vs. LeBron" slogan. But really though, where does it state in any business policy that the NBA Playoffs have priority at the stadium? From what I have read, the WWE had this date CONTRACTUALLY booked months ahead of time, did they not? It seems to me that the Nuggets/NBA are the ones who messed up here. Now of course I'm not a lawyer, but McMahon sure has a lot of ammo here to file a lawsuit, although I don't think it'll ever come to that. In any event, I still say it'll be worked out this week and that part of the soap opera will die down soon enough.
Now back to the actual Playoff series, yes I will tune in because I enjoy watching basketball, although the games haven't been compelling so far since the 1st round with the Bulls/Celtics series but obviously I'm being biased. Lakers vs. Nuggets - I think the Lakers have been just playing on cruise control so far, but I expect them to finally be focused against 'Melo's boys. Lakers in 6 I say. Magic vs. Cavs - I think this will be a much tougher series for the Cavs than many people expect. The Magic showed me something in the Boston series that they can actually play some good team defense anchored by big Dwight Howard. I still think LeBron and the Cavs pull it off, but it'll take 6 or 7 games to do it.
I got my hands on the NBA playoff script that Stern's people wrote for this spring and it definitively ends with Kobe over LeBron in 6.
The NBA is as fixed as the WWE.
I know this blog is about WWE, LeBron and Kobe.
But let's pay a tribute to Wayman Tisdale.
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/05/15/tisdale.obit.ap/index.html
*Peace Wayman*
Vince can't believe the Denver Nuggets are still playing?
Really??? Well, I can't believe that I'm NOT!
*this really sucks*
Today I put in my application with the all four of the UFL teams, and nobody's called me back! This ... after I had already sent my resume to every team in the NFL.
They all replied with variations of the same message:
"If all of our starting QB's and back-up quarterbacks drop dead from the swine flu, we'll give you a call."
Now I ask you ... is that any way to treat a future Hall Of Famer?
Words cannot express just how much I miss hearing Lovie say, "Rex is our quarterback."
And you can stop smiling right now, Kyle. I see you smirking over there in Denver!!!
I ask you ... is THAT fair?
I mean, ... give me a break here. I was a first round draft choice!!! I'm one of the top 20 quarterbacks to ever have strapped on the pads for the Bears. (just ask Culzie)
And I can't even get a sniff?
I think this is a conspiracy.
I don't know who posts as Rex, but keep them coming!!
NEWSFLASH - NBA is BACK! Last nights LA DENVER game was great theatre.! Denver is serious and LA's superstar took another giant step forward. One of the best games I watched in a while and I hate watching a stacked team beat up on people! Carmello Anthony has arrived also and that Bird man looks like Rodman. Exciting basketball! Great defense and offense by both teams. LaBron is going to have his hands completely full no matter what happens. I urge you all - DONT MISS IT!
its arguable that 4 of the top 5 players in the league are in the final four. kobe.lebron.howard.mello. ( wade being the fifth.) and 4 of top 7 teams all year. hardly looks fixed to me. I kinda like keiths heart.mind soul breakdown..except I would love to see the magic upset lebron..and denver upset kobe..but my mind says kobe vs. lebron..and I can get excited about that too.
Mr. Rex Grossman, you don't seem to understand when the stars align correctly, everything falls in place. This is why you are not playing football. Everything is not about you dude. That is NOT a smirk, but a damn HUGE SMILE on my face.
Now think about it Rex, here I am in Denver and guess whose new home-town basketball team is still playing in the NBA playoffs? I bring luck with me. Not only did I get traded to a team with REAL wide-receivers, a young head coach who knows what it means to Tweet, but he has the latest iPhone and actually know how to use it! I don't have to show Lovie how to turn on the damn headset before each game anymore. It hindered his play calling during games. Why you think he looked pained on the sidelines?
I don't have to hear "REX IS OUR QUARTERBACK!" anymore. Man, I didn't know if to strangle Lovie or you!!!
Rex, if you don't first succeed, dust yourself off and try again. Just don't do it in the NFL, go to the Canadian League. Not boasting man, just trying to help you find a job.
Any of my old Bears' teammates at the United Center watching Bulls' playoff basketball? Ha Ha Ha Ha, just a little jokey-joke.
GO NUGGETS - IT IS ALL GOOD IN DENVER BABY!!
Bite me Kyle!
You're just jealous because Lovie always like me best. You can't handle rejection!
I'll be back.
ilike lakers to wine allthegame we hope so in sha allah we will wine all thegames lakers is the best team unit stet 0f america lakers be hard players avery time in sha allah god bless lakers avery time than you lakers iam musa
That anonymous post gave me a headache! Can't top those opening games! Kobe stepping up and taking over??? Magic drop-kicking king James in his own house!!! WOW! Don't miss it folks.
Allah has the NBA package?
The NBA is no longer just a global sport now, it transcends supernatural boundaries!
It's about time someone knocked the Cavs off of the playoffs unbeaten pedestal for the time being.
Hey Stu, no "Gar Forman" or NBA Draft Lottery blog topics for us diehard basketball guys? You do realize that a story can be made here involving the Bulls possibly packaging their 2 1st rounders + Kirk Hinrich/Tyrus Thomas to possibly nab Blake Griffin from the lowly Clippers? I'd do it. This kid is Charles Barkley reborn with height! A perfect match for Derrick Rose! Otherwise, I'm ready to talk Bulls NBA Draft with the best basketball bloggers out there!
Stu responds: So much stuff going on now that there's been no chance to get around to Gar Forman and the NBA draft. But c'mon Edgar, not even the Clippers would be dumb enough to take the Bulls' discards in exchange for Blake Griffin!
Stu responds: So much stuff going on now that there's been no chance to get around to Gar Forman and the NBA draft. But c'mon Edgar, not even the Clippers would be dumb enough to take the Bulls' discards in exchange for Blake Griffin!"
And why not, pray tell? They wouldn't know what to do with Griffen anyway ... other than ruin his career.
Exactly my point also, Villano. Remember who we're talking about here... the Clippers! haha Nah, I was just kidding though, just trying to stir up some Bulls talk. As pathetic an NBA organization as they've been for so many years, there's just no way they can screw this up with Blake Griffin. Or can they?... hmmm. Unless there's a freak injury, if Griffin is a bust like Michael Olowokandi, then I will stop watching the NBA for 1 year! Besides, there is that possibility assuming Griffin is their guy to pair up with Eric Gordon and Baron Davis in the backcourt, then the lowly Clips will have a surplus of big men at their disposal. Chris Kaman talks resurfaces again? How about Marcus Camby for a year since he's on his last year of his contract? I see Gar trying to re-sign Ben Gordon and trying to get rid of Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas for proven big men. I've said before that I don't want to give up on Tyrus Thomas, but Vinny has seemingly left him for dead when he basically gave up on him in the Celtics series after game 1. I may not be a mindreader, but body language alone told me that Tyrus was pretty ticked off at the benching again and will likely carry the attitude forward to next season. If Vinny is not going to give TT meaningful minutes, then package him away to the Western Conference. The Bulls need to continue to address size. Brad Miller and Noah, as much as I have enjoyed his fast development, are just not good enough to handle players like Dwight Howard now that he has stepped up his game to Championship level.
Ah so much to talk about, but just other priorities in the blogs right now. No problem, Stu. I understand. Just sending friendly reminders, that's all.
Move over Kobe and Labron, Mello and Howard have arrived. Some good good balling!!!! WOW! Blown away with that LA series.
I think Blake Griffin is going to be good just like Beasely, but its almost impossible to come in and dominate the game unless you are a Center or Point guard. How did Griffin fair against Beasely in college (Stu?) I am not for taking on any unproven players. And wasnt Marcus Pfizer was supposed to be the next Charles Barkley? What kind of name is Gar anyway? Sounds like something a pirate says. Edgar is right, Gar's job just got a whole lot more difficult. You need 3 guys to compete with the big boys now:
Kobe, Gasol, Team;
Mello, Billups, Team;
Labron, Team. (exception to the rule)
Howard, Hedo, Lewis, Team;
Garnett, Allen, Pierce, Team;
Rose, Gordon, Team;
Gar has to do whatever it takes to improve the team and develop Rose. Rose will only develop with BALLERS around him. I would NEVER move Tyrus unless its for a STAR. I hope Gar trades ALL of those picks for some studs. Sign Gordon, if it can be done and bring him off the bench. Use those picks to bring in some STARS. Thats how Rondo developed. Playing with stars.
Stu responds: Keith, there was only one head-to-head matchup between Blake Griffin and Michael Beasley in college. On Jan. 13, 2008, Beasley scored 32 points, including the game-winning layup, and had 11 boards as Kansas State won 84-82 at Oklahoma. Griffin had 27 points, 14 boards. Their career numbers in college were similar and it's quite possible that Griffin, like Beasley, won't set the NBA on fire, at least as a rookie.
Edgar:
I feel the same way about Tyrus Thomas as Culzie feels about Rex.
No matter how badly he plays, I still see a diamond in the rough, with big time potential, and I call all of his detractors ignorant blaspheemers.
I have a gut feeling that Thomas will not mature with the Bulls, and get traded to another team, where he'll become an All Star.
But if he ever does blossom, at least it will be in the NBA, and not the Arena League UFL.
Listen Dudes...
I will return to the NFL someday and when I do......I will make Culzie Proud!!
Thanks Stu! Good information. Griffin has the drive to be great, but his position is very physical and demanding. Beasely has the confidence to perform at his position. I like what I saw out of him so far. He can score easily, but can have an attitude at times.
Villy - I think that if you are going to have a project, let it be someone like Tyrus who has the size and athleticism for his position. Its not easy figuring out the NBA game, but anyone capable of 15 points, 10 boards, and 5 blocks a game has my vote. In my book he gets a pass from the Skiles years where NOONE improved, but went backwards. So in just one year he has progressed so much. His shooting touch has greatly improved and he has a desire to rebound and block shots. He is trying and is learning. He's a keeper unless the trade is for a proven star.
Keith, I certainly agree with you about Tyrus Thomas 100% and say that we should keep him, but my problem is that the Bulls obviously still don’t trust him and they even opted to keep Joakim Noah on the floor during crunch time in the playoff series against the Celtics. After the series, I heard from many Bulls fans in the bars and read from many blogs calling out Tyrus Thomas again for being unproductive and such again, but I always shout back and say how is the guy supposed to gain experience and make an impact to the game if he’s not on the floor?? After the first game of that series, Vinny basically played TT only for the first quarter and a half and then barely put him on the floor in the 2nd half of the game in any of the games 2 through 7. TT barely even played that classic game 6, 3 overtime thriller! It was ridiculous and downright embarrassing to develop a talented player that way, especially when you have the other young players like Rose and Noah making their share of dumb mistakes also, yet are still given the chance TO PLAY THROUGH THEIR MISTAKES with meaningful minutes on the floor. Whether this was Pax or Vinny or Bernie/Del decision to leave TT at minimal minutes, I didn’t agree with it and I thought that made a huge difference in that series down the stretch. Bottom line Keith, I think he’s a keeper also, but I really don’t think our coaches have any clue how to develop Tyrus Thomas. I may have never gone on the “fire Vinny Del Negro” bandwagon club in the blogs, but in no way did that ever mean that I like him as the Bulls’ head coach so far. I just knew that Bulls’ management wouldn’t just fire him after only 1 season, but he’ll be on my blog hit list next season if he doesn’t improve on his head coach management skills.
As for Blake Griffin, Keith… him and Beasley are just 2 different players. Beasley doesn’t play a true power game. He likes to score more and is much more of a finesse player suited for a half court game. Beasley’s talents outplayed the College game, while Blake Griffin’s game OVERPOWERED and DOMINATED the College game in his 2nd season. Stu’s head-to-head matchup comparison was a nice nugget, but Griffin’s sophomore season in College showed much more progression while Beasley’s NBA rookie season only showed flashes but not nearly enough progress in his game. In fact, I thought Beasley had a disappointing rookie season overall and took a step backwards in his development. Griffin almost single-handedly beat N. Carolina and their roster full of 1st round NBA talent in the NCAA tournament last March. Plus, Griffin reportedly doesn’t have mental issues and has a solid work ethic that coaches like, while Beasley’s mental motivation issues are always questioned. Griffin is built like a tank, runs the floor like a deer, is a legit 6’10” and already has an NBA body. His potential ceiling is off the charts, but Beasley’s ceiling can already be projected as a nice scorer but nowhere near as quick a player and tall like a Carmelo Anthony. Barring injuries, I’ll be shocked if Griffin is not the NBA rookie of the year next season. Maybe the Rubio kid from Spain may have a shot to shine as a rookie, but only because he has played with Pros and played against Pro competition already. However, give Griffin a great point guard and you could see the next great Stockton-Malone combination if they click. He’s built for the NBA game today much more than Beasley in my opinion. Sure would like to see that combination with Derrick Rose while the Bulls overall are still classified as a “young and up ‘n coming team”. If the Bulls can somehow package Hinrich, TT and their 2 first rounders for Blake Griffin, I say do it. Otherwise, watch this stupid Tyrus Thomas soap opera with the Bulls coaches to continue next season.
Im convinced that Keith just compared Beasley with Blake because they have a similar size and look slightly similar in appearance.
They're games are 100% different.
Edgar again is spot on with his breakdown. Although I still need to finish the last couple chapters of his latest comments ;)
You are right about my assessment Culzie, but also because both are coming out of College with the same "can't miss" hype. Stu aptly posted what I thought was true about Blake vs Beasley - He Lost that matchup and game. The kid is good, but only skills and heart translate into the NBA. And we will see, but big men rarely make a sudden impact.
Actually Keith, the "can't miss" hype was more centered on Derrick Rose than it was on Beasley last year, but I understand your point and preference about acquiring a veteran star player for the Bulls. It's just that I go back to the Bulls just trying manage their cap space by preparing more for the 2010 sweepstakes than really going for it in this offseason. That's the real reason why I'm campaigning more for a blockbuster trade to draft Blake Griffin and who other than the lowly Clippers organization may actually fall for a sucker trade because they've been so bad for so long it's not even funny. And again, that Blake vs. Beasley matchup was 2 years ago... a lot has happened since then with both players and last I heard, Beasley didn't even make the NBA 1st team all-Rookie squad. No way the Bulls will pay up for a superstar veteran in this offseason.
Edgar, the Bulls aren't going to get a 2010 superstar. I have resigned myself to that reality until Paxson goes Kenny Williams on me. Until then I have decided to aim low and just hope he picks up pieces and forms a team like Detroit had. Thats good enough for me. I want more of course, but its Chicago.