9. Portland Trailblazers make the playoffs.

After missing the playoffs for six years in a row, the Portland Blazers finally made it back. This wouldn’t be such a big story if it wasn’t a team that had made the playoffs 21 years in a row before this dry stretch.

8. The Oklahoma City Thunder are actually competitive.

One season removed from being the footstool of the league, the Thunder thus far have a winning record; which is excellent if you are Clay Bennett, and demoralizing if you are a Sonics fan.

7. Greg Oden gets injured. Again.

Out for the season. Again. Don’t worry, Blazers fans, it’s not entirely bad! Plus you still have Joel Pryzbilla …. scratch that, out for season too. Wow.

6. Brandon Jennings returns to America, drops 55.

Brandon Jennings, who was average playing overseas, awards the Milwaukee Bucks with stellar play and this fantastic box score.

5. Replacement referees used for exhibition games.

The NBA and the referee’s union couldn’t reach a deal before the exhibition games started, so replacement refs were used. Just days before the regular season started, the regular referees were back. And in two years, we get to do it all over again.

4. The penny-pinching owners.

From Okafor-for-Chandler to Maynor-for-some German guy, NBA owners are looking for all kinds of way to save. Good news, owners: David Stern may bail you out yet again!

3. Nobody wants Allen Iverson.

Allen Iverson, former MVP and career 27 ppg scorer, could barely find a gig when he signed with Memphis. Then his previous problems of riding the pine returned. Finally, he returns to Philly. And despite only playing only 10 games thus far, he is a leader in All-Star votes. Amazing.

2. LeBron misses the finals.

LeBron James finally had a supporting cast fit for a king, and an MVP award to boot. But en route to the championship parade, a little bully named Dwight Howard knocked him off his pedestal. Poor LeBron!

1. Kobe wins without The Big Diesel.

Ahh, a sigh of relief heard by Kobe fans everywhere. After last year’s miss against the Celtics, Kobe Bryant took it to the Orlando Magic and finally won an NBA title without Shaq. Crazy thing is that it might not be his last either.

Nothing yet!

NBA All-Star 2010 Logo

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game is located in Dallas, Texas on February 14th, 2010. The ballots have already been finalized and voting can commence! Here’s the essential links to vote for your favorite NBA basketball player:

• NBA.com All-Star 2010 Ballot
• Wikipedia.com on NBA 2010 All-Star Game
• Official NBA.com All-Star 2010 page
• Buy tickets for the NBA All-Star Game
• NBA.com Press Release on All-Star 2010 FAQs

Further reading:

1. 2009 NBA All-Stars Announced
2. Fantasy NBA All-Stars 2009

• Atlanta Hawks – Mike Bibby
• Charlotte Bobcats – Raymond Felton*
• Chicago Bulls – Ben Gordon
• Dallas Mavericks – Jason Kidd
• Detroit Pistons – Rasheed Wallace
• Detroit Pistons – Allen Iverson
• Houston Rockets – Ron Artest
• Los Angeles Lakers – Lamar Odom
• Milwaukee Bucks – Ramon Sessions
• Milwaukee Bucks – Charlie Villanueva
• New York Knicks – Nate Robinson*
• New York Knicks – David Lee*
• Orlando Magic – Hedo Turkoglu
• Philadelphia 76ers – Andre Miller
• Phoenix Suns – Grant Hill
• San Antonio Spurs – Drew Gooden
• Toronto Raptors – Shawn Marion
• Utah Jazz – Paul Millsap*
• Utah Jazz – Carlos Boozer

* means free agent is restricted and home team has the right to match any offers

See the full list here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-freeagents062909.

Further reading:

1. Week 14 Game Count by NBA Team: Starting January 25
2. Week 8 Game Count by NBA Team: Starting December 14th
3. Week 11 Game Count by NBA Team: Starting January 4

    NBA Playoffs 2009 Logo

I thought about adding my own NBA playoffs bracket, but I found one that works so well I figured that I couldn’t top it.

So if you are looking for an informative, graphically-impressive while still easy to understand NBA playoff bracket, I highly recommend you go to here:

http://breathingfire.com/nba/playoffs/2009/bracket2009.php.

Further reading:

1. 2009 NBA Playoffs – Who Owns the Tiebreakers?

East

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Orlando Magic
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Miami Heat
6. Chicago Bulls OR Philadelphia 76ers
7. Philadelphia 76ers OR Chicago Bulls
8. Detroit Pistons

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Denver Nuggets OR Houston Rockets
3. Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs
4. Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets
5. San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Houston Rockets
6. New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz
7. Dallas Mavericks OR New Orleans Hornets OR Utah Jazz
8. Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks

NBA Games Tonight with Playoff Implications:

• Toronto Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
• Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks
• New Orleans Hornets @ San Antonio Spurs
• Philadelphia 76ers @ Cleveland Cavaliers
• Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trailblazers

What happened yesterday?

In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Boston Scrubs and will likely face the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Chicago Bulls must lose and the Philadelphia 76ers must beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are playing the best home record EVER, at Cleveland. In the West, the Utah Jazz managed to determine their destiny … by losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, and therefore giving us our first known matchup in the West, the #1 Lakers versus the #8 Jazz. All other playoff seeds in the West will be determined today.

What are the playoff possibilities today?

• Chicago Bulls win OR Philadelphia 76ers loss
  • 3. Orlando Magic vs 6. Chicago Bulls
  • 2. Bostons Celtics vs 7. Philadelphia 76ers
• Chicago Bulls loss AND Philadelphia 76ers win
  • 3. Orlando Magic vs 6. Philadelphia 76ers
  • 2. Bostons Celtics vs 7. Chicago Bulls
• Houston Rockets win AND San Antonio Spurs win AND Denver Nuggets win
  • 4. San Antonio Spurs vs 5. Portland Trailblazers
  • 3. Houston Rockets vs 6. New Orleans Hornets
  • 2. Denver Nuggets vs 7. Dallas Mavericks
• Dallas Mavericks win AND San Antonio Spurs win AND Portland Trailblazers win
  • 4. San Antonio Spurs vs 5. Houston Rockets
  • 3. Portland Trailblazers vs 6. Dallas Mavericks
  • 2. Denver Nuggets vs 7. New Orleans Hornets
• Dallas Mavericks win AND San Antonio Spurs win AND Denver Nuggets win
  • 4. Houston Rockets vs 5. Portland Trailblazers
  • 3. San Antonio Spurs vs 6. Dallas Mavericks
  • 2. Denver Nuggets vs 7. New Orleans Hornets
• Dallas Mavericks win AND New Orleans Hornets win AND Portland Trailblazers win
  • 4. Houston Rockets vs 5. San Antonio Spurs
  • 3. Portland Trailblazers vs 6. New Orleans Hornets
  • 2. Denver Nuggets vs 7. Dallas Mavericks
• Houston Rockets win AND Portland Trailblazers win (New Orleans Hornets @ San Antonio Spurs has no impact)
  • 4. Portland Trailblazers vs 5. San Antonio Spurs
  • 3. Denver Nuggets vs 6. New Orleans Hornets
  • 2. Houston Rockets vs 7. Dallas Mavericks
• New Orleans Hornets win AND Denver Nuggets win (Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks has no impact)
  • 4. Portland Trailblazers vs 5. San Antonio Spurs
  • 3. Houston Rockets vs 6. New Orleans Hornets
  • 2. Denver Nuggets vs 7. Dallas Mavericks

Further reading:

1. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 7 Days Until Season End
2. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 6 Days Until Season End
3. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 3 Days Until Season End

East

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Orlando Magic
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Miami Heat
6. Chicago Bulls OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Detroit Pistons
7. Philadelphia 76ers OR Chicago Bulls OR Detroit Pistons
8. Detroit Pistons OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Chicago Bulls

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Denver Nuggets OR Houston Rockets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs
3. Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs
4. Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets
5. San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets
6. New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz
7. Dallas Mavericks OR New Orleans Hornets OR Utah Jazz
8. Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks

NBA Games Tonight with Playoff Implications:

• Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Lakers
• Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers

What happened yesterday?

In the East, the Detroit Pistons lost to the Chicago Bulls and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. Only the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers remain to be seeded. In the West, there is *still* only have one spot determined, although we were able to get a somewhat clearer view on where teams may end up. The Denver Nuggets need either a win or a Houston Rockets loss to wrap up the 2 seed, and can finish no lower than 3. I certainly did not expect to be writing that at the beginning of the season. The Houston Rockets still can finish anywhere in the 2 through 5 range. The San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trailblazers are fighting for position within the 3 through 5 range. The 2 through 5 range will all be determined tomorrow, as the only Western Conference game tonight with playoff impact is with the Utah Jazz.

Further reading:

1. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 7 Days Until Season End
2. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 6 Days Until Season End
3. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 3 Days Until Season End

• Philadelphia owns tiebreaker over Chicago
• Houston owns tiebreaker over Denver, Portland & San Antonio 
• Denver owns tiebreaker over San Antonio & Portland
• Portland owns tiebreaker over San Antonio
• Utah owns tiebreaker over New Orleans & Dallas
• New Orleans owns tiebreaker over Dallas

Just goes to show that the regular season *does* matter. Ain’t that right, Shaq?

Further reading:

1. NBA Playoff Scenarios – Last Day Of Season
2. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 3 Days Until Season End
3. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 5 Days Until Season End

East

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics OR Orlando Magic
3. Orlando Magic OR Boston Celtics
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Miami Heat OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Detroit Pistons
6. Chicago Bulls OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Detroit Pistons OR Miami Heat
7. Philadelphia 76ers OR Detroit Pistons OR Chicago Bulls OR Miami Heat
8. Detroit Pistons OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Chicago Bulls OR Miami Heat

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs
3. Denver Nuggets OR Houston Rockets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs
4. Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR New Orleans Hornets
5. San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Denver Nuggets OR Houston Rockets OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks
6. New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs
7. Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets
8. Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks

NBA Games Tonight with Playoff Implications:

• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Dallas Mavericks
• Chicago Bulls @ Detroit Pistons
• New Orleans Hornets @ Houston Rockets
• Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz
• Sacramento Kings @ Denver Nuggets
• San Antonio Spurs @ Golden State Warriors
• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trailblazers

What happened yesterday and the day before?

In the East, the Orlando Magic stumbled into the #3 seed, which clinched the #2 seed for the Boston Celtics. We also got our first playoff matchup determined with the Miami Heat clinching the #5 seed and setting a date with the Atlanta Hawks. In the West, we still only have one spot determined with only 3 days left in the season. We now know that the New Orleans Hornets, the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz will take 6, 7 and 8 – but we aren’t sure of the order. Additionally, we now know that the Houston Rockets, the Denver Nuggets, the Portland Trailblazers and the San Antonio Spurs will take 2, 3, 4 and 5 – but, again, we aren’t sure of the order. In fact, within those two ranges there are no certainties. This makes for an exciting finish to the 2008-2009 NBA season.

Further reading:

1. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 7 Days Until Season End
2. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 6 Days Until Season End
3. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 5 Days Until Season End

East

1. Cleveland Cavaliers OR Boston Celtics
2. Boston Celtics OR Orlando Magic
3. Orlando Magic OR Boston Celtics
4. Atlanta Hawks OR Miami Heat
5. Miami Heat OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Detroit Pistons OR Atlanta Hawks
6. Chicago Bulls OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Miami Heat OR Detroit Pistons OR Atlanta Hawks
7. Philadelphia 76ers OR Detroit Pistons OR Chicago Bulls OR Miami Heat
8. Detroit Pistons OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Chicago Bulls OR Miami Heat OR Charlotte Bobcats

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers
3. Denver Nuggets OR Houston Rockets OR San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks
4. Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR New Orleans Hornets OR Utah Jazz OR Dallas Mavericks
5. San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Houston Rockets OR New Orleans Hornets OR Denver Nuggets OR Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz
6. Dallas Mavericks OR New Orleans Hornets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Utah Jazz OR Houston Rockets
7. Utah Jazz OR Dallas Mavericks OR New Orleans Hornets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets
8. New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs

NBA Games Tonight with Playoff Implications:

• Portland Trailblazers @ Los Angeles Clippers
• Golden State Warriors @ Utah Jazz

What happened yesterday?

In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched 1st and the Atlanta Hawks clinched 4th. The Charlotte Bobcats were officially eliminated and with that, the entire playoff field has been determined. In the West, the Utah Jazz gave up being the 3rd, 4th, or 5th seed with a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs ensured at least a 6 seed with the win. In the first of two late-season matchups between the two, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the New Orleans Hornets. Nonetheless, both teams lost the chance at a 3 seed, and oddly enough, only the Mavericks lost the chance at any sort of home court advantage in the first round. Finally, the Houston Rockets nearly sealed up home court advantage, ensuring at least a 5 seed.

Further reading:

1. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 7 Days Until Season End
2. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 6 Days Until Season End
3. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 3 Days Until Season End

East

1. Cleveland Cavaliers OR Boston Celtics
2. Boston Celtics OR Orlando Magic
3. Orlando Magic OR Boston Celtics
4. Atlanta Hawks OR Miami Heat OR Philadelphia 76ers
5. Miami Heat OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Atlanta Hawks OR Detroit Pistons
6. Chicago Bulls OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Miami Heat OR Detroit Pistons OR Atlanta Hawks
7. Philadelphia 76ersOR Detroit Pistons OR Chicago Bulls OR Miami Heat
8. Detroit Pistons OR Philadelphia 76ers OR Chicago Bulls OR Miami Heat OR Charlotte Bobcats

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Houston Rockets OR Denver Nuggets OR San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers
3. Denver Nuggets OR Houston Rockets OR San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks
4. San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets OR Portland Trailblazers OR Denver Nuggets OR Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks
5. Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Portland Trailblazers OR Houston Rockets OR Utah Jazz OR New Orleans Hornets OR Denver Nuggets OR Dallas Mavericks
6. Dallas Mavericks OR New Orleans Hornets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Utah Jazz OR Houston Rockets
7. Utah Jazz OR Dallas Mavericks OR New Orleans Hornets OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets
8. New Orleans Hornets OR Dallas Mavericks OR Utah Jazz OR Portland Trailblazers OR San Antonio Spurs OR Houston Rockets

NBA Games Tonight with Playoff Implications:

• New York Knicks @ Orlando Magic
• Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers
• Indiana Pacers @ Atlanta Hawks
• Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics
• New Jersey Nets @ Detroit Pistons
• Charlotte Bobcats @ Oklahoma City Thunder
• New Orleans Hornets @ Dallas Mavericks
• Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs
• Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trailblazers
• Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors

What happened yesterday?

In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers lost their chance at home court advantage in the first round with a loss to the Chicago Bulls. In the West, the Houston Rockets shut the door on the possibility of being the 8 seed with a win over the Sacramento Kings.

Further reading:

1. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 7 Days Until Season End
2. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 5 Days Until Season End
3. NBA Playoff Scenarios – 3 Days Until Season End