Atlanta Hawks Down 0-3 to Cavaliers in Conference Finals

The Atlanta Hawks are now down three games to none after a tough loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.  The game was exciting but none the less a loss.  Considering the starting lineup that Cleveland is having to play with this really is disappointing.  Both teams are dealing with injuries but Atlanta is just not playing well.  That is the bottom line.  While Kyle Korver is a big loss he was not the shooter we saw in the regular season only hitting 36% from the arc in the playoffs, 39% overall.  DeMarre Carroll has struggled the last two games while he is tasked with guarding, and being guarded by, LeBron James.  Millsap is not the same and while Teague has had some good games I wouldn't count last night as one of them.  Yes he had 30 points but it was on 9-23 shooting (to his credit he had zero turnovers).  The Hawks are not playing at the same level that took them to 60 wins during the regular season.  And as banged up as the Cavs are they can't overcome LeBron without playing well as a team.  That is something that has escaped them so far in the playoffs.  History says they will not come back from this deficit.  They played hard in game three which is a good thing.  I was worried they'd come out flat in Cleveland.  I hope they get one win and can take this back to Atlanta.  It has been a great season and I'd hate for it to end with a sweep. 

Quick note on the Houston - Golden State series.  This is one where Houston has to be kicking themselves.  They had two close games at Golden State and they had to believe they could turn things around at home.  The game they had in game three sealed their fate.  It is a shame.  I really thought this could go six games.  I still think Golden State wins it all.  They are relatively healthy for this time of the year and continue to click on all cylinders. 

Atlanta Hawks to the Conference Finals for the First Time in FOREVER!

I can't say I'm surprised Atlanta made it the conference finals.  No slight on Washington who I was high on during the regular season but I thought Atlanta was the better team.  Maybe not playing as well as the Wizards before the series but Atlanta the better in my book.  It was a good series and I have to admit I was worried when Paul Pierce hit that game tying shot at the end of game 6.  I was very concerned about the prospects of an overtime period with Washington having the momentum.

Still the Hawks haven't been playing at the top of their game which they showcased for the first 62 games of the year.  Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague are both hitting under 40% and Dennis Shroder is shooting right at 40% in the playoffs so far.  That has to change if they are to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.  DeMarre Carroll and Al Horford are the only players bringing their A game right now and as with the rest of the team you can't count on either of those player to carry the team.  They have to play well as a team.  Spread the ball around while making that extra pass to get the open shot. 

Cleveland can be beat.  I think Teague and Shroder will need to drive on Kyrie Irving making the defense collapse while also making him work on defense.  When they are aggressive good things happen.  You aren't going to stop LeBron James so I say don't throw everyone at him trying.  I think DeMarre Carroll can do a decent job on him as he is a good defensive player.   Still LeBron will get his.  That is ok.  I think if they can slow Irving some and make LeBron have to carry the team the Hawks a shot.  Irving is a great player so that is asking a lot.  Still I think it would put pressure on James and gives the Hawks a chance at winning.  The Hawks also have to make shots.  They aren't shooting well right now with the exception of Carroll (43% on threes/52% overall).  Horford is hitting big shots and shooting well (49%) but while he gives you the total package to include being this team's leader he can't carry the team. 

Hit shots, make Cleveland work on defense and maybe Atlanta catches some breaks and wins this thing.  I'm not sure they are up to it but I'm definitely excited to see them  in their first conference finals appearance since 1970.  This is big for the Hawks and their fans.  I'm stoked.  Go Hawks!

Avengers Age of Ultron

We were able to see Avengers Age of Ultron the Friday it was released while celebrating a youngins birthday.  It didn't disappoint.  There may be some spoilers here so I'll throw out the SPOILER ALERT warning.  We always worry about the sequels but this one delivered.  I really enjoyed some of the character development especially the relationship between the Black Widow and the Hulk.  This added a new depth to the team while as always complicating matters.  We also see a side of Hawkeye we've never seen before.  The relationships between the rest of the main characters stays pretty much status quo while there is a big rift causing angst among the characters. 

Scarlett Witch (loved her costume/look) and Quick Silver are added to the fray very quickly.  They add another dimension to everything going on and I really liked their characters.  They are introduced at the beginning of the film which involves a ton of action which is a great way to start things off.  And there is plenty of action.  The movie sails along and is ending before you know it.  There are the fan favorite fights involving the Hulk and Iron Man in his Hulk Buster armor which was a fun sequence. 

Ultron, played by James Spader, was a very good character.  His moment of reveal to the Avengers was one of the best parts of the movie and kind of creepy.  I he was a good foil to the Avengers.  Also brought in as a baddy was Vision.  A character I've always liked it was a thrill to see him get a pretty major role though you don't see him for about 2/3 of the movie.  The Falcon and War Machine are also players in the movie but with pretty minor roles. 

This movie should do great at the box office.  It has everything you could want from an Avengers movie.  Tons of action, character development, twists, and conflict.  I can't wait to see what the remaining Marvel movies look like as this is all moving things towards the Civil War storyline.  I'm excited and hope everyone gets a chance to see Avengers Age of Ultron. 

2015 Topps Gypsy Queen

The Topps Gypsy Queen is the one baseball retro products I really enjoy.  Even though there is a lack of action shots the look and feel of the design and photos is a big hit with me.  I grabbed a pack of the 2105 Gypsy Queen from Target that contained three packs (six cards each) and three framed cards.  Doesn't look like I got any of the short print or variations.  There are also plenty inserts though the only one I pulled was the Astros throwback card.  I like it when throwback jerseys are featured but these are in black and white which seems to negate some of the fun of seeing these great old styles.  Still I enjoyed the cards with my favorite being the Lou Gehrig card.  This is an iconic pose and a card I'll keep for my collection.  Another nice offering from Topps. 

2015 NBA Playoffs

I think this has been a great NBA season and I'm looking forward to the playoffs.  While I'd love to see the Spurs and Tim Duncan get one more championship I think we'll see a team win a championship this year that we haven't seen in some time.  There are so many teams that haven't won a championship or haven't in so long that I think I'll be happy no matter the outcome this year. 

You have to start with the Western Conference.  The elite teams reside there and I think Golden State could be the team that comes from the West.  That said there are truly six teams in the West who could win the conference.  I do think Golden State is the best of the lot but I also like San Antonio and Los Angeles to be right there among teams coming out of the West.  Unfortunately those two must play each other in the first round but that should be a great series.  This could be the year the Clips make a statement in the playoffs.  I'm not overlooking Houston but I think the loss of point guard Patrick Beverly will be their downfall.  Dwight Howard isn't the Dwight Howard of old which really means they'll really have to lean on James Harden.  You can get away with that in the first round but I think defenses will make life too tough on him as the playoffs progress.  Of course I'm really rooting for Portland but I'm worried about their depth after loosing key cog Wesley Matthews for the season. 

 In the East I'm definitely looking for my Hawks to make some noise.  That said as a long time Atlanta fan I'm already readying myself for disappointment.  That said they should be able to get past Brooklyn in the first round.  Cleveland should also make easy work of Boston while Chicago-Milwaukee and Toronto-Washington look to be better series.  I'm not sure who the Bullets are right now.  Their offense has struggled and I really like Toronto as a whole.  They have eight players who play 24 minutes or more a game which gives them nice depth which is key in the grind of the playoffs.  With Derrick Rose back Chicago should be able to get past Milwaukee but I do like this to be a close series that may go the max number of games. 

Bottom line is I think the following teams will move on - WEST - Golden State, Houston, Memphis, San Antonio | EAST - Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago, Toronto.  No huge upsets here.  San Antonio may be a six seed but they haven't played like one of late.  Have to give a shout out to the Pelicans making the playoffs.  Love Anthony Davis and hopefully this will be the first of many appearances for him and New Orleans. 

Portland Trail Blazers Battle Memphis in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs

Portland goes into the playoffs banged up and not exactly on top of their game.  They've lost starting guard Wesley Matthews and Aaron Afflolo, who is expected to gain most of Matthews' minutes, has a bum shoulder.  Reserve forward Dorell Wright is also out due to injury while other key players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Kaman, and C.J. McCollum are also nicked up going into game one of their first round matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.  I really don't know what to expect.  Memphis is a very good team.  Portland is too but has lost six of nine.  Afflolo hasn't exactly lit it up since being acquired from Orland though his three point percentage is a very good 40%.  When Matthews was in the lineup I'd put up their starting lineup against most in the NBA.  Now I'm not so sure. 

I think Memphis is a tough matchup with their bigs and is one of the best defenses in the league.  Portland will definitely have to play nothing short of an excellent series.  With two stars in Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge who can take over a game they are in good hands but I think a win in the first round will come about by team ball.  I'm just not sure Portland is deep enough to get past the Grizzlies who could wear Portland down with their stingy defense.  If Portland wins that probably means the series went six or seven games and that is what I'm hoping for. 

Atlanta Hawks Enter Playoffs As #1 Seed in the Eastern Conference

The Atlanta Hawks will play the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs after getting the #1 seed.  They won a club record 60 games this year.  That is amazing considering I doubt the best anyone had them prior to the season was coming in fourth in the Eastern conference.  I was totally taken by surprise as my post prior to the season proves.  I'm still in shock and to be honest I've been scared to post anything because I didn't want to jinx the team.  Well I'm posting now but I'm hoping that by waiting 'till after the season I won't jinx them and their playoff run.  We'll see.  Considering the owner and general manager issues before the season you could really see this team, which while talented isn't really the prettiest on paper, wasn't picked to win the Eastern conference.  Still they did and coach Mike Budenholzer deserves much of the credit.  It is one thing to just be a Spurs ex-coach and philosophy guy but to implement it with this Atlanta Hawks roster and win 60 games he deserves all the credit in the world. 

We'll get the negatives out of the way first.  Atlanta has lost forward Thabo Sefolosha for the year due to injury and Atlanta has struggled of late losing 8 of their last 15 games.  Paul Milsap is also suffering from a banged up shoulder playing in only one of the final six games.  The good news is the Hawks get the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.  This is a team Atlanta should beat and shouldn't have to sweat too much doing it.  That statement could really come back to haunt me but this team has played too well this year to think they should falter now.  The second round matchup would definitely be a tougher draw with Atlanta either playing Toronto or Washington. 

The big thing is Atlanta has to get past the issues of late.  They didn't let the issues I mentioned earlier get to them so now isn't the time to swoon.  The five starters have looked great as a unit.  More than ever they must embrace the "team" mentality that got them to where they are.  I just can't believe all their success this year will go for nothing.  Here's hoping I'm not wrong.  The NBA needs teams like the Hawks who play so well as a collective.  No megastar.  Just a team playing great together.