by Sammy P.,
I think part of being a amateur blogger is discovering your personal style of writing as well as your commitment to journalism at its lowest level of prestige.
As readers of this site may have noticed I have given it less and less attention as the months go by. The reason for this is three-fold:
1.) The concept of the site. To be perfectly honest, I don't have the kind of money to be a degenerate gambler.
2.) Time and commitment. Not consistently posting on my site tends to be a snowball effect. When I miss one day of posting it gives me an excuse to miss another, etc. Kind of like the millions of fat Americans who vowed to start their diet, tomorrow.
3.) My style. I tend to write about my thoughts more so then technical analysis of the game, especially in regards to gambling.
As a resolution to this matter I am searching for a new format for this site. One that will be more casual, less about gambling, and emphasizes my style of writing.
hopefully this will encourage more writing from me as well as better reading for followers and subscribers.
copyright Sammy P. Shah
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Royal Interview
By David Ebner,
As I sit and wonder why Bernie Williams is playing the national anthem I cant help but think that I'm a better guitar player than him. Maybe he is having an off day, maybe he should stick to baseball. Ah, the great return to Madison Square Garden. The last time Labron and the Cavs came here they beat the Knicks 119-101 and the King had only 26 points. Which is two points lower than his 2008-2009 average of 28.
The question. Will the King be performing an impromptu interview on the court for a possible move in 2010? You bet your ass he is! But not in the sense that most would think. Labron is a dynasty player. As he proved with the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, he can give playoff and possible title hopes to any team in the NBA. Labron James is trying to put the icing on the top of his resume with this season . And that resume is being printed, sealed and delivered to all thirty-two teams, including the Cavs. I personally believe that James would prefer to stay in Cleveland. He has a team that is built around his abilities and designed to exemplify his numbers. He has an entire state in love with him, some singing savior in the streets. Most importantly I want him to stay and that, being an Ohio native from the Akron area; he's kind of my boy.
The proof of Labron's openness to be acquired was put on the court. He had 19 points alone in the first quarter, totaling his second game this season breaking 30 points with a total of 33. The most impressive stats are his 8 rebounds and 9 assists in 36 minutes of play. Lebron showed his ability to create plays. His 19 point first quarter drew the obvious double team and allowed James to throw multiple fast balls to his open teammates crashing the lane. He shot over 70% from the court and 77% at the line.
After a first quarter with over half the his total game points, it was very easy to see that James was there to make a statement. It was the King's last three quarters that showed his ability to use his skills to develop the players around him. It was as if he was watching along with the rest of us on T.V his interviews where he states that he “just wants to win championships”, and nothing said that more than the rest of his play Friday night. He played the game, he laughed, had a team behind him and they won. The future for King James is certain to be filled with winning seasons and maybe even a ring. The Cavaliers on the other hand... no ring with out the King for now.
- David Ebner
As I sit and wonder why Bernie Williams is playing the national anthem I cant help but think that I'm a better guitar player than him. Maybe he is having an off day, maybe he should stick to baseball. Ah, the great return to Madison Square Garden. The last time Labron and the Cavs came here they beat the Knicks 119-101 and the King had only 26 points. Which is two points lower than his 2008-2009 average of 28.
The question. Will the King be performing an impromptu interview on the court for a possible move in 2010? You bet your ass he is! But not in the sense that most would think. Labron is a dynasty player. As he proved with the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, he can give playoff and possible title hopes to any team in the NBA. Labron James is trying to put the icing on the top of his resume with this season . And that resume is being printed, sealed and delivered to all thirty-two teams, including the Cavs. I personally believe that James would prefer to stay in Cleveland. He has a team that is built around his abilities and designed to exemplify his numbers. He has an entire state in love with him, some singing savior in the streets. Most importantly I want him to stay and that, being an Ohio native from the Akron area; he's kind of my boy.
The proof of Labron's openness to be acquired was put on the court. He had 19 points alone in the first quarter, totaling his second game this season breaking 30 points with a total of 33. The most impressive stats are his 8 rebounds and 9 assists in 36 minutes of play. Lebron showed his ability to create plays. His 19 point first quarter drew the obvious double team and allowed James to throw multiple fast balls to his open teammates crashing the lane. He shot over 70% from the court and 77% at the line.
After a first quarter with over half the his total game points, it was very easy to see that James was there to make a statement. It was the King's last three quarters that showed his ability to use his skills to develop the players around him. It was as if he was watching along with the rest of us on T.V his interviews where he states that he “just wants to win championships”, and nothing said that more than the rest of his play Friday night. He played the game, he laughed, had a team behind him and they won. The future for King James is certain to be filled with winning seasons and maybe even a ring. The Cavaliers on the other hand... no ring with out the King for now.
- David Ebner
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Melo Time!
by Sammy P.
As if his dunk over Millsap wasn't impressive enough in the Nuggets season opener, Carmelo Anthony has proved to be the most dominant individual player in the league after its first week of the 2009-2010 season which ends tonight.
Melo' leads the league in scoring, averaging 37.7 points a game and also leads the league in free throws made, proving to be offensively aggressive, getting to the line on average 13.7 times a game. The only player to attempt more free throws than that this season is Chris Bosh who attempts 15 a game. He has an efficiency rating of 36.3 and has the highest amount of points, rebounds, and assists combined, equaling 147.
His team is pretty efficient as well by having the fewest amount of turnovers a game so far this season. Tonight Carmelo and the Nuggets will face off against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers themselves happen to have the highest amount of turnovers a game and are second in the league in fouls committed. This is a recipe for disaster for the Pacers and will be a field day for Carmelo Anthony.
My betting expectations:
The Denver Nuggets have beaten their opponents so far this season on average by 7.33 points a game which has helped them to a 3-0 start. They are also third in the league in scoring (114.66 ppg.) This is bad news for the Pacers who already are giving away 108 points a game to their opponents. There are very few to no positive signs that the Pacers will be able to win this game or keep it close.
Final Score Predicion:
Denver 120 - Indiana 105
copyright Sammy P. Shah
As if his dunk over Millsap wasn't impressive enough in the Nuggets season opener, Carmelo Anthony has proved to be the most dominant individual player in the league after its first week of the 2009-2010 season which ends tonight.Melo' leads the league in scoring, averaging 37.7 points a game and also leads the league in free throws made, proving to be offensively aggressive, getting to the line on average 13.7 times a game. The only player to attempt more free throws than that this season is Chris Bosh who attempts 15 a game. He has an efficiency rating of 36.3 and has the highest amount of points, rebounds, and assists combined, equaling 147.
His team is pretty efficient as well by having the fewest amount of turnovers a game so far this season. Tonight Carmelo and the Nuggets will face off against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers themselves happen to have the highest amount of turnovers a game and are second in the league in fouls committed. This is a recipe for disaster for the Pacers and will be a field day for Carmelo Anthony.
My betting expectations:
The Denver Nuggets have beaten their opponents so far this season on average by 7.33 points a game which has helped them to a 3-0 start. They are also third in the league in scoring (114.66 ppg.) This is bad news for the Pacers who already are giving away 108 points a game to their opponents. There are very few to no positive signs that the Pacers will be able to win this game or keep it close.
Final Score Predicion:
Denver 120 - Indiana 105
copyright Sammy P. Shah
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Rising Sun
by Sammy P.
A lot of my friends have been asking me lately what my predictions are for the NBA finals this year which there is no easy answer too. Any sport that is 82 games long and also allows 16 teams into the playoffs, provides the opportunity for any team to make it, regardless of how bad or good their team was in previous years. Personally I believe that no matter who goes to the NBA finals this year, the league championship is going to go to the Eastern Conference. There is just too much talent in the East now, that the west won't be able to catch up. The only long shot that the west has at winning a the NBA finals this year is if the defending champion Lakers put together a season like they did last year in an effort to win "back-to-back" titles. So far however, the Lakers look to be in some sort of post-championship hangover mode right now, not truly playing to form.
This gives room for other teams in the west to take advantage, such as the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, or even the Phoenix Suns who haven't made it back to the playoffs since 2007. The Suns hiatus from the playoffs in recent history is enigmatic considering they had a two-time NBA MVP point guard playing there in Steve Nash, the leagues most dominant big man playing center with Shaquille O'Neal, and the highest scoring offense last season.
This season Shaq' is gone, which is more of a gain then a loss for the Suns. When he was acquired in a mid-season acquisition from Miami in 2007, the Phoenix Suns already had a good system in place, which is what got them to the playoffs in the first place. That year they did not advance past the second round of the playoffs and continued to not even make an appearance in the following years. Now that Shaq is gone, Phoenix is still left with their two time MVP and the leagues highest scoring offense.
Tonight is the perfect opportunity to show off that offense. After destroying the Golden State Warriors in there home opener on Friday (123-101), they have an easy game against another western conference opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 'Wolves themselves have not made it to the playoffs since 2004, when they lost in the western conference finals to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, Minnesota has struggled to put together a championship contending team and in 2007 the situation got worse when they traded away the best player in franchise history to the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett. After Garnett's departure, Minnesota has been in a constant state of rebuilding and this year they have assigned the Job of head coach to Kurt Rambis, former assistant coach of 7 years to the current league champion, Los Angeles Lakers.
Rambis is leading a young team of mostly players who don't have NBA experience past 2004, two rookies, and a veteran leader coming off the bench who is a relatively unknown; Brian Cardinal. It is easy to see that Rambis has not really found a solid system for Minnesota yet and is experimenting with different player combination's and minutes. The time spent on the court by the five starters is equal to the time the bench is spending on the hard-wood.
This Minnesota team is going to have a hard time tonight playing against a very potent Phoenix team. It will be the 'Wolves first away game for the season and have already not shown much team strength playing at home. Sparing any type of anomaly that Minnesota might come up with this season, I don't expect their road performance to be much better. Minnesota barely pulled off a win in their home opener against New Jersey (95-93) and got crushed by the Cavaliers in their second game (87-104.) Minnesota's offense is far inferior to Phoenix, scoring only an average of 91 points a game, which is worse then their scoring average last season and preseason this year.
Phoenix is hungry for a championship this year and the west is dormant and wide open for any team to dominate that is willing to put forth the effort. They have consistently maintained a highly potent offense and will likely continue that trend against struggling opponents, such as the Timberwolves.
My betting expectations:
This will be a lopsided game favoring the high scoring Phoenix Suns who will be playing in their second home game this season. Minnesota has already allowed 98.5 points to their opponents this season including giving up 104 points to the Cleveland Cavaliers, another team that has a the talent and ability to score a lot of points.
There is a downside to the Suns potent offense, which is how well they play on the other side of the ball. Defensively last season the Phoenix Suns gave up 107.5 points a game and even worse 108.4 points during the pre-season this past October. So far in their first two regular season games for 2009, the Suns have given up 104 points, which is saying a lot considering their first two opponents were relatively easy match-ups against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.
Even if the Suns to give up a lot of points to the Timberwolves, I don't see them winning in a close game. Most likely they will win by double digits and the Timberwolves scoring average on the season will get a slight bump.
Final Score Prediction:
Phoenix 120 - Minnesota 99
copyright Sammy P. Shah
A lot of my friends have been asking me lately what my predictions are for the NBA finals this year which there is no easy answer too. Any sport that is 82 games long and also allows 16 teams into the playoffs, provides the opportunity for any team to make it, regardless of how bad or good their team was in previous years. Personally I believe that no matter who goes to the NBA finals this year, the league championship is going to go to the Eastern Conference. There is just too much talent in the East now, that the west won't be able to catch up. The only long shot that the west has at winning a the NBA finals this year is if the defending champion Lakers put together a season like they did last year in an effort to win "back-to-back" titles. So far however, the Lakers look to be in some sort of post-championship hangover mode right now, not truly playing to form.
This gives room for other teams in the west to take advantage, such as the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, or even the Phoenix Suns who haven't made it back to the playoffs since 2007. The Suns hiatus from the playoffs in recent history is enigmatic considering they had a two-time NBA MVP point guard playing there in Steve Nash, the leagues most dominant big man playing center with Shaquille O'Neal, and the highest scoring offense last season.
This season Shaq' is gone, which is more of a gain then a loss for the Suns. When he was acquired in a mid-season acquisition from Miami in 2007, the Phoenix Suns already had a good system in place, which is what got them to the playoffs in the first place. That year they did not advance past the second round of the playoffs and continued to not even make an appearance in the following years. Now that Shaq is gone, Phoenix is still left with their two time MVP and the leagues highest scoring offense.
Tonight is the perfect opportunity to show off that offense. After destroying the Golden State Warriors in there home opener on Friday (123-101), they have an easy game against another western conference opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 'Wolves themselves have not made it to the playoffs since 2004, when they lost in the western conference finals to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, Minnesota has struggled to put together a championship contending team and in 2007 the situation got worse when they traded away the best player in franchise history to the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett. After Garnett's departure, Minnesota has been in a constant state of rebuilding and this year they have assigned the Job of head coach to Kurt Rambis, former assistant coach of 7 years to the current league champion, Los Angeles Lakers.
Rambis is leading a young team of mostly players who don't have NBA experience past 2004, two rookies, and a veteran leader coming off the bench who is a relatively unknown; Brian Cardinal. It is easy to see that Rambis has not really found a solid system for Minnesota yet and is experimenting with different player combination's and minutes. The time spent on the court by the five starters is equal to the time the bench is spending on the hard-wood.
This Minnesota team is going to have a hard time tonight playing against a very potent Phoenix team. It will be the 'Wolves first away game for the season and have already not shown much team strength playing at home. Sparing any type of anomaly that Minnesota might come up with this season, I don't expect their road performance to be much better. Minnesota barely pulled off a win in their home opener against New Jersey (95-93) and got crushed by the Cavaliers in their second game (87-104.) Minnesota's offense is far inferior to Phoenix, scoring only an average of 91 points a game, which is worse then their scoring average last season and preseason this year.
Phoenix is hungry for a championship this year and the west is dormant and wide open for any team to dominate that is willing to put forth the effort. They have consistently maintained a highly potent offense and will likely continue that trend against struggling opponents, such as the Timberwolves.
My betting expectations:
This will be a lopsided game favoring the high scoring Phoenix Suns who will be playing in their second home game this season. Minnesota has already allowed 98.5 points to their opponents this season including giving up 104 points to the Cleveland Cavaliers, another team that has a the talent and ability to score a lot of points.
There is a downside to the Suns potent offense, which is how well they play on the other side of the ball. Defensively last season the Phoenix Suns gave up 107.5 points a game and even worse 108.4 points during the pre-season this past October. So far in their first two regular season games for 2009, the Suns have given up 104 points, which is saying a lot considering their first two opponents were relatively easy match-ups against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.
Even if the Suns to give up a lot of points to the Timberwolves, I don't see them winning in a close game. Most likely they will win by double digits and the Timberwolves scoring average on the season will get a slight bump.
Final Score Prediction:
Phoenix 120 - Minnesota 99
copyright Sammy P. Shah
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween Treats
by Sammy P.
Simply put; In my mind, if the Mavericks can beat the defending champion Lakers by 14 points and hold them to only 80 total, they have no problem beating the Clippers tonight.
Tonight is the second half of back to back away games for Dallas in Los Angeles. After playing hard and beating the Lakers, an easy game against the Clippers is a nice halloween treat for the visiting team tonight.
My betting prediction:
The spread Vegas is giving to the Clippers right now is +5.5. The Mavs' should be able to cover 6 points. L.A. has yet to win a game this season and average just under a 100 points a game. Dallas, now 1-1 on the season, have only allowed 91 points a game to their opponents.
I expect Dallas to continue the momentum they had last night and have a high scoring offensive game against the Clippers, whom seem to be waiting for Blake Griffin to get healthy before they make a serious attempt at winning a game.
Final Score Prediction:
Dallas 105 - Los Angeles 95
copyright Sammy P. Shah
Friday, October 30, 2009
Can you say "Hangover"?
by Sammy P.
Its half past midnight, and I am witnessing my favorite team, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, losing by 18 points after three quarters at home against the Dallas Mavericks. I know its early in the season, and I shouldn't expect the same intensity out of the Lakers or any top team til' after the all-star break and into the playoffs, but still, I am a little shocked by how sluggish this team is looking.
Their home opener win wasnt that impressive either. Yes they won, but it was againgst the Clippers; historically the worst team in the NBA. Furthermore, the Clippers were able to hold the Lakers "potent" offense under 100 points that game.
It is starting to look like the lakers of 2009-2010 aren't as hungry this season for another championship. They look as if they are basking in the success of last season without focusing on the future, taking for granted how hard it is to get there again.
The Fact of the matter is, when you are on top, everyone wants a piece of what you have. The Lakers don't seem to be awake enough to defend what they have. If they have any chance of getting back-to-back championships at the end of this season they are gonna going to have to wake up from this daze, take some headache medicine, drink plenty of fluids, and get over this hangover. The party is over!
copyright Sammy P. Shah
Its half past midnight, and I am witnessing my favorite team, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, losing by 18 points after three quarters at home against the Dallas Mavericks. I know its early in the season, and I shouldn't expect the same intensity out of the Lakers or any top team til' after the all-star break and into the playoffs, but still, I am a little shocked by how sluggish this team is looking.
Their home opener win wasnt that impressive either. Yes they won, but it was againgst the Clippers; historically the worst team in the NBA. Furthermore, the Clippers were able to hold the Lakers "potent" offense under 100 points that game.
It is starting to look like the lakers of 2009-2010 aren't as hungry this season for another championship. They look as if they are basking in the success of last season without focusing on the future, taking for granted how hard it is to get there again.
The Fact of the matter is, when you are on top, everyone wants a piece of what you have. The Lakers don't seem to be awake enough to defend what they have. If they have any chance of getting back-to-back championships at the end of this season they are gonna going to have to wake up from this daze, take some headache medicine, drink plenty of fluids, and get over this hangover. The party is over!
copyright Sammy P. Shah
Big Points.
by Sammy P.
If last nights game was to be a low scoring defensive game between the Portland Trailblazers and the Denver Nuggets, then tonight's game between the Phoenix Suns and the visiting Golden State Warriors will be the opposite.
Last season the Suns led the league in scoring with an average of 109.4 points a game. Second best to that is the Golden State Warriors, scoring 108.6 a game, unfortunately only winning 29 of them. Despite their scoring feats, neither team made the playoffs last year and now the make-up of their teams are considerably different, most notably Shaq' leaving Phoenix for Cleveland.
Even so, both teams are keeping up with the pace of last season by leading the league in scoring for the 2009-2010 preseason. Neither team can boast much defense however. The Suns allowed the Clippers to score 107 against them in their season opener and the Warriors allowed 108 in their opener against Houston who previously only managed to score 87 against Portland.
My betting expectations:
Both teams obviously lack defense, so this will be a high scoring and close game. Vegas has the combined score for both these teams tonight at 229 points to bet on either the over or under.
Despite my high scoring expectations, I don't believe either of these teams have the offenses to put up that many points. Instead I expect both teams to score around their average, with the edge going to the home team for the win. I would bet on the under this game.
Final Score Prediction:
Phoenix 109 - Golden State 107
copyright Sammy P. Shah
If last nights game was to be a low scoring defensive game between the Portland Trailblazers and the Denver Nuggets, then tonight's game between the Phoenix Suns and the visiting Golden State Warriors will be the opposite.
Last season the Suns led the league in scoring with an average of 109.4 points a game. Second best to that is the Golden State Warriors, scoring 108.6 a game, unfortunately only winning 29 of them. Despite their scoring feats, neither team made the playoffs last year and now the make-up of their teams are considerably different, most notably Shaq' leaving Phoenix for Cleveland.
Even so, both teams are keeping up with the pace of last season by leading the league in scoring for the 2009-2010 preseason. Neither team can boast much defense however. The Suns allowed the Clippers to score 107 against them in their season opener and the Warriors allowed 108 in their opener against Houston who previously only managed to score 87 against Portland.
My betting expectations:
Both teams obviously lack defense, so this will be a high scoring and close game. Vegas has the combined score for both these teams tonight at 229 points to bet on either the over or under.
Despite my high scoring expectations, I don't believe either of these teams have the offenses to put up that many points. Instead I expect both teams to score around their average, with the edge going to the home team for the win. I would bet on the under this game.
Final Score Prediction:
Phoenix 109 - Golden State 107
copyright Sammy P. Shah
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