MJ Wins Big One Again During Playoffs

You could just see Michael and Charles sitting in Michael's hours Sunday afternoon. Laughing. out loud. Michael had managed to stick it to Jerry Krause again by winning the NBA Draft lottery and to double their pleasure, the Bulls didn't even get into the top three. It was so fun I almost felt guilty as they announced the Bulls had the fourth pick. Jerry didn't even pretend to smile. Deep down he probably thought it was a setup.

While having the number one pick seems like a great thing, there doesn't seem to be a guy worthy of the number one pick this year. This has been a problem for the past few years. Tim Duncan being the last player really worthy of the number one pick (and money) in the draft. The last three years have been kind of ho-hum after we had gotten used to having super stars drafted number one. In fact, in a six year period we got: Shaq, Chris Webber, Glenn Robinson, Allen Iverson, and Tim Duncan. Not a bad five for six run. The other one in there was Joe Smith in 1995. He is solid but not in the others category.

The last three years have been: Michael Olawakandi, Elton Brand and Kenyon Martin. While these guys may yet prove to be outstanding, they are not yet first pick worthy players (Even though Brand is getting close).

So what does Michael do with the first pick? I have heard a lot of people say trade it and get a bevy of players. In the recent past, as this has become a more one-on-one game, that didn't work as you needed one or two great players to be successful. Those players were never traded. But, with the new rules changes for next year that might become more of a possibility. You might get a more of a team atmosphere needed to win. Finally eight good players might beat two great ones. So should he trade the pick? As always, it depends on what you're offered.

We had a good game and an excellent game today. Milwaukee's big three handled Charlotte and in the end, even though Charlotte did everything right strategy wise, Milwaukee wouldn't let them get close enough to bite. They made all their free throws, 20 for 20, in the fourth quarter. If they hit a respectable 70 percent in the fourth quarter, it's a three-point and one-possession game. Milwaukee will have a great series against.

The Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers beat the Raptors by one point with Vince Carter taking the last shot and it falling just a little off the mark. This was a game where the 76ers would go up by ten and let the Raptors back in twice in the first half. The second half was a nail biter all the way. The Raptors had the lead just once, but hung in there, battling point for point with the 76ers. It was not to be, however, as Carter's last second shot was long. A great way to end a great series.

So who wins the Conference Finals? I think the Lakers end up manhandling San Antonio and winning in five with a small chance of a sweep. The Eastern Conference is a little different. I think we could easily go seven again, but I think the 76ers make it back to the finals with a 4-2 victory against Milwaukee.

I can't believe MJ still has the touch.

Later.