SB Nation User Blog: Vegas Scott

Homecourt Advantage Overrated?

Vegas Scott — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:01:48 -0000

With the emergence of John Hollinger's article today (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090312), and all the talk this season about homecourt advantage, it got me thinking, is it really as important as everyone is making it sound? Last year seems to have imprinted in every basketball fan's mind that homecourt is an absolute necessity. The Celtics appeared to get out of the first two rounds because of it, and the rest was history. So the question is, was this just a fluke or is homecourt really that important to win a title?

Well last year the Celtics became just the 3rd top seeded team to win a title in the last 9 years (joining the Spurs in '03 and the Lakers in '00). In fact, during the Lakers three peat, they were the top seed just once. Before the Celtics championship run last year, we were in the midst of 4 consecutive years without crowning a top seed. I'm pretty sure this is evidence enough to prove that although getting the top seed is certainly an advantage, the best TEAM typically wins regardless. Think about that for a second, the Lakers and Spurs, the two most dominant teams of the last decade, won a total of 6 championships in the last 9 years and only had the top seed a total of 2 times.

I thought this was interesting considering that a vast amount of blog space has been utilized to debate whether Doc should be limiting Pierce and Ray's minutes, along with being patient with Rondo and Garnett's injuries, as opposed to making a harder push at the top seed. Looks like history tells us that Doc is making the correct decision. If you're going to follow the footsteps of any coach in this league, Pop and Phil seem like a pretty good start.

Everyone had it wrong...

Vegas Scott — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:55:44 -0000

"Stephon Marbury could be a cancer to the Celtics. He has a nack for talking too much, taking bad shots and distrupting team chemistry." That's not a direct quote from anyone, but I think it adequately sums up a lot of people's feelings about Marbury before he came to Boston. Many diehard C's fans never bought into this, including myself, so this post is not about sticking it to all those haters. What has been most intriguing about Marbury's brief stay with the C's so far, is that Steph's biggest hurdle is overcoming the EXACT OPPOSITE. We all should have seen this coming. He has so much to gain from this, so much to prove and so little time to do it. So naturally, he's trying to fit in TOO MUCH. With each possession and each passed up open shot, it becomes glaringly obvious that Stephon Marbury is trying too hard to fit in! It almost seems laughable, but its painfully obvious. No play supports this better then the awkward back and forth game of ping pong by he and newcomer Mikki Moore. Imagine a world where Stephon Marbury is overly anxious to feed Mikki Moore when he's not even on the court! Ladies and gentlemen, this is how powerful the Boston Celtics are. We have truly become just like the hottest chick in high school. We have the ability not only to tame seemingly loud, obnoxious, self absorbed players like Marbury, but we actually make them feel awkward, vulnerable and shy! Marbury came into Boston a villain, he's going to leave a human.

Predictions, Anyone?

Vegas Scott — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:07:31 -0000

With so much historical significance riding on this season, I can't help but wonder how everything will play out. Sure, a lot can and will happen before we even get to June, but it's still fun to predict what will happen. More importantly what the "historical significance" will play out for certain players/teams/coaches based on the results. Who will reach the "final four?" Who will win it all? Who will take MVP honors? If LA does win and Kobe gets MVP, where does that put him on the list of all time greats? If the Celts win and Pierce wins another finals mvp, is he top 50 of all time? If Doc wins another, does that put him into the conversation of all time great coaches? What if Phil wins, is he the best ever? If the Cavs win will Lebron win 7 in a row? Does Orlando or San Antonio have any shot? Any sleepers? That's enough I think to get the debate started, I'll reserve my opinions for once at least for now. Feel free to throw out any potential questions of your own as well...

What if Portland Drafted Durant?

Vegas Scott — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:19:06 -0000

After watching KD blow up for yet another spectacular performance against the Clippers Friday night (46 points, 15 rebounds on 24-26 from the FT line) I can't help but wonder WHAT IF Portland drafted Durant instead of Greg Oden with the number 1 pick in the 2007 draft. Through no fault of his own, Oden has yet to make any real impact (especially for a number 1 pick) in the NBA. Even still, it doesn't appear that Oden is likely to even come close to the potential that Durant is displaying this season. KD is already one of the league's top scorers, and looks on his way to being THE premier scorer in the league. With that said, here's what Portland's starting lineup COULD have looked like if Durant was chosen instead of Oden:

Roy, Fernandez, Durant, Randolph, Aldridge.

With Bayless, Batum and Outlaw rounding out the 8 man rotation. (Eventually Bayless could probably run the point with Fernandez coming off the bench as the 6th man alla Manu Ginobili)

Sure it would have taken some fancy financial footwork by Kevin Pritchard to keep this team under the cap for any length of time, but hey if Ainge can do it with 3 hall of famers, why can't Portland. this lineup would be an absolute contendor THIS YEAR in my opinion, and a potential dynasty in the making. Portland still has an amazing future and could quite possibly become a championship contendor, however one has to wonder what could have been...