NBA Eastern Conference

Update: (8:33am CDT) According to sources, the new deal is for four years and $61 million.

Doc Rivers announced a few days ago that he would remain on the bench for the Celtics as the head coach.

The next decision for the team to make was to hammer out a deal for forward Paul Pierce to make sure that he remained a Celtic.

This morning, according to the Boston Herald , they have done just that, as the two sides have agreed on a new four-year deal. The terms of the agreement have not yet been released.

Pierce had opted out of the final year of his contract on Thursday to become an unrestricted free agent. There had been rumors that the Dallas Mavericks could make a sign-and-trade to land the Celtics forward, but now with a new deal in place, that rumor can be put to rest.

Now, the last free agent to take care of would be Ray Allen who remains on the free agent market.

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Here we go! With the season officially over we quickly turn our heads to the 2010 NBA Draft that will take place this coming Thursday in New York.

(For Mock Drafts previews click here, for big named free agents possible destinations click here, and to see how LeBron's decision effects the rest of the NBA free agents click here)

This will be a two part feature that breaks down every team in both conferences, listing who would be their best fit to draft and who they need to sign/trade for this offseason.

Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta's shooting-guard Joe Johnson will be an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st and is a hot name mentioned throughout the league to be departing with his team.

If JJ leaves the Hawks can replace him in the starting lineup with veteran Jamal Crawford.

24th pick in NBA Draft- Larry Sanders PF/C

Offseason needs- A true big man that could back up Al Horford and Josh Smith. VCU's Larry Sanders would be a perfect fit.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics will have their hands full this offseason as they will be waiting upon head-coach Doc Rivers decision on whether or not he will return next season.

In addition to Rivers, Ray Allen will be an unrestricted free-agent and Paul Pierce has an early termination option that he will decide whether to exercise in after the NBA Draft.

19th pick in NBA Draft- Dominique Jones SG (Jones is an elite scorer with an NBA ready body. He could quickly emerge as scoring threat in the league.)

Offseason needs- Boston will look to re-sign Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. In addition, the Celtics will need to sign a big man, especially if Rasheed Wallace retires.

Charlotte Bobcats

Tyson Chandler has $12.7 million player option that he will most likely exercise in. If so, the Bobcats will look to deal him away (since Chandler would be entering his final contract year) in order to re-sign point-guard Raymond Felton.

Charlotte has no draft picks.

Offseason needs- With Nazr Mohammed entering his final contract year, the Bobcats should look to ship him out and seek a solid big man in return.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls certainly have money to blow this offseason. When you look at the rumors that have been circulating thus far, LeBron James and Chris Bosh seem like the top two big named free agents that could possibly sign with Chicago.

17th pick in NBA Draft- Xavier Henry (A possible replacement of long lost Ben Gordon.)

Offseason needs- The Bulls will look to resign any top named free-agent. If they fail to get Bosh or James, Joe Johnson is another big name that could sign with the team. Regardless of the matter, Chicago is in a great position to sign a max contract type of player.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers need to worry about re-signing LeBron James, plain and simple. If the team cannot manage to lure James back in and surround him with a "new" team that he is satisfied with, the entire city of Cleveland is in massive trouble.

The Blazers have expressed interested in point-guard Mo Williams, and with Delonte West, Anthony Parker, and Sebastian Telfair each in their final contract year, Cleveland has a chance to make a trade to acquire a big named star in return.

Detroit Pistons

After an extremely disappointing season, the Pistons will look to regain form with their seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Detroit is in desperate need of a big man and with DeMarcus Cousins slipping out of the top five in the majority of Mock Drafts, the 6'11" center seems to be the guy that the Pistons have both eyes on.

Forward Tayshaun Prince is entering his final contract year raking in a little over $11 million and could certainly be used as a trading chip this offseason.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have already attempted to deal away their 10th overall pick in the NBA Draft for Timberwolves point-guard Jonny Flynn.

Reports have stated that the Wolves declined the offer.

Indiana has a ton of potential trading options as the majority of their roster will be entering their final contract year.

10th pick in NBA Draft- Ed Davis (Davis could team up alongside of Roy Hibbert in the front-court)

Offseason needs- It's apparent that the Pacers are searching for a starting point-guard this offseason.

Miami Heat

Much like the Bulls, Miami has a ton of money to throw around this offseason. Rumors have circulated around players such as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and Carlos Boozer all possibly joining Dwyane Wade in the beautiful city of Miami. 

18th pick in NBA Draft- Gordon Hayward 

With Michael Beasley's $4.9 million contract most likely coming off the books this offseason, the Heat have enough dough to re-sign D-Wade to a max contract, another superstar to a max contract, and another solid player to a hefty contract.

Big things will be going down in Miami this offseason.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks definitely surprised many this past season as they made it to the playoffs for the first time since 06' with point-guard Brandon Jennings running the show. 

15th pick in NBA Draft- Ekpe Udoh

Michael Redd has an $18.3 million player option that he will undoubtedly exercise in. 

Offseason needs: The Bucks will look to sign a big man that they can place into the paint alongside of Andrew Bogut.

New Jersey Nets

After a very disappointing season, the Nets have already began to turn things around.

Their new owner Mikhail Prokhorov signed Avery Johnson as the teams new head-coach and with a plethora of money to spend this offseason, the Nets can really turn their franchise into a winning organization. 

3rd pick in NBA Draft- Derrick Favors

With Favors and Lopez in the front-court, the Nets can look to sign a two guard or a small forward during the free-agency extravaganza.

New York Knicks

Much like New Jersey, the Knicks have been waiting for this moment to hit it big.

New York has enough money to sign two max contract players (with tons of hope that it will be LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh, or a combination of two of those studs.

If the Knicks cannot obtain the top tier of superstars they will look to sign either Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, Rudy Gay, or re-sign David Lee, in addition to many solid role players.

Orlando Magic

Forward Matt Barnes has already opted to explore free-agency and with Reddick being the only other player that is expecting a new contract the Magic seem to be sticking with their roster after a busy previous offseason.

29th pick in NBA Draft- Soloman Alabi

If the Magic are going to make an transactions this offseason it will be involved with back-up center Marcin Gortat.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers acquired young gun Spencer Hawes along with Andres Nocioni in a deal that sent center Samuel Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings.

2nd pick in NBA Draft- Evan Turner

ESPN reported that the Sixers have locked in on selecting Evan Turner and having said that, the team will be looking to deal Andre Iguodala in the weeks to come.

Toronto Raptors

Believe it or not, Chris Bosh will not be apart of the Toronto Raptors roster next season.

With opportunity to win a championship in numerous other cities, it seems highly unlikely for Bosh to remain apart of the Raptors.

13th pick in NBA Draft- Patrick Patterson

With Bosh an unrestricted free agent and forward Hedo Turkoglu demanding a trade, things don't look to good for Raptors fans heading into the offseason.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards will select John Wall with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft to team up with Gilbert Arenas in the backcourt.

Assuming Washington does not pick up Josh Howard's team option and Randy Foye's qualifying offer, the Wizards will have enough money to sign a big named free agent to something very close to a max deal.

With Andray Blatche emerging and John Wall soon to be apart of this team, only time will tell who the Wizards will sign this offseason. 

If you liked this article please check out more of Brandon's content at www.nbaprimetime.com

Lost amid the cacophony of where LeBron’s summer home will be was a little noticed request, or rather tacit ultimatum, from Chris Bosh via his agent last week to his current team, the Toronto Raptors.

Like “King” James, Bosh will be a free agent this summer and is already being much sought after by every team that can afford him.

But what distinguished Bosh’s notice was his insistence that he would only accept a trade to a few select teams, or rather cities: New York, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

The rest of you small and mid-market teams?

Need Not Apply.

LeBron and, now, Bosh have instructed the league that their talents will only be exported to an elite group of large-market, high-visibility cities.

And while there are a dozen reasons why a star in the maximum salary constellation, like James or Bosh, might choose his next destination, one would think the opportunity to win at the highest level would be priority No. 1.

But in the current NBA culture, it’s not looking that way.

Call them Chris Bosh and the Traveling All-Stars and Vacation Kings.

Players are now deciding where to play not based on salary, teammates or coaches, but rather, on what I call the Vacation Factor.

Star players now only want to play in places that comprise of America’s favorite vacation spots, and are telling the rest of the league’s cities—get lost, or at least get a better tourism bureau.

After all, why should the average resort-bound All-Star toil away in the rust-belt gloom of Detroit, or the frost-bitten backwater of Indianapolis?

Look, stars don’t buy Bottega Veneta sunglasses to stare at the lutefisk spread on         the T-Wolves' lunch table.

Do you really think fans in Charlotte are going to appreciate those Italian shoes?

And tell me exactly where star players are going to relax after the game in Salt Lake City?  The Piper Down: an Olde World Pub? 

I don't think so.

Even if Wednesday nights ladies drink free? 

Not on your life.

Are you honestly asking me to believe NBA stars are pining to move to Oklahoma City in time to catch the Rooster Days Festival? 

I think not.

Hey, who’s up for the Milwaukee Bead & Button Show? 

Exactly no one, that’s who.

But, all this mid-market condescension has a downside that David Stern may want to stem early, or else risk losing the appeal and profitability of his league due to unchecked elitism.

At last year’s NBA draft the Minnesota Timberwolves chose Ricky Rubio, then playing in Spain, who promptly told the T-Wolves, “Adios,” and declined to play for them.

And although his official reason for staying put concerned the buyout with his Barcelona contract and a need to mature as a player, this was likely to keep Minnesota from having too much huevos on their collective faces.

You have to wonder if he would have similarly ignored the Lakers.

With Rubio, LeBron, and now Bosh limiting their career options to whether they prefer a sun-filled beach or the Miracle Mile, many more are sure to follow.

But if players keep choosing to fly over America’s fly-over country, it will inevitably lead to a squeezing out of small and mid-market teams because the few large ones have all the talent.

Addressing the effect of having a few market players squeeze out the competition, Professor Craig Pirrong of the University of Michigan School of Business, writing for the Cato Institute, states that, “[t]here is one form of activity in futures markets that is almost universally considered manipulative... This is a ‘long market power manipulation,’ commonly called a ‘corner’ or a ‘squeeze.’"

This is why, he notes, there are thousands of rules and legal consequences if businesses try this—they are hurting the free market and squeezing out competitors.

The NBA will only be hurting its long-term viability if it continues to allow stars, especially draft picks, to shun the small-markets for the playgrounds of Vacationland.

But is it even possible to force stars like Bosh to ignore the bright lights and beautiful beaches of places most Americans head for every summer?

Probably not.

So, will the League slowly morph back to its pre-ABA merger days, with a few East Coast teams landing all the big talent?

Or is there a way to save NBA parity and allow small and mid-markets to compete?

And is there any way to keep stars from enjoying playing in places that, truth be told, all of us would be if we had half a chance?

Don’t ask me…or Chris Bosh.

We’ll both be in Miami.

Let me put it this way.

You’re a kid and your mom tells you not to do something. You do it anyway. You get in trouble.

That’s the way it works, right?

Well, apparently not if the NBA is your mom and you play for the Boston Celtics. Then, as we’re seeing now with Kendrick Perkins, you set off a firestorm of controversy. 

Like getting Dad’s permission to do what Mom said was unacceptable.

Fans and columnists will cry, “The NBA is fixed!”  People will watch video clips and wonder why Perkins was issued two technical fouls.

But let’s stop and wonder something else altogether. Let’s wonder how, in only 16 postseason games, Perkins has managed to accumulate seven techs.

If technical fouls No. 2 and No. 5 were questionable, would we be hearing this outcry. Heck, they might have actually been bad calls. I certainly didn’t hear about them.

We’re bound to hear Boston Celtics fans defending the team. And I’m fine with that.

But if the NBA upholds the technical foul calls and suspends Perkins (as they should, if the techs meet the league’s requirements), I don’t want to hear and see sports media caught up in whether or not this should have an effect on the Eastern Conference Finals.

News flash: if Kendrick Perkins is suspended, it will have an effect on the series. And it will be his fault.

Want to know how many technical fouls I got in my (not-so-illustrious) basketball career? One. And I got it because I dribbled the ball off of my foot on a fast break, causing it to go out of bounds. I spiked the ball out of frustration and knew I was in trouble before I even heard the whistle.

You see, I had parents in the stands. And a coach. As I trudged toward the bench, I knew I wasn’t going back in that game. Not because I was kicked out, but because I needed to learn a lesson.

That was the end of it. From then on, if I was whistled for a foul, I raised my hand and turned my back toward the scorer’s table so they knew which number to write down.

Now, I don’t mean to say that Kendrick Perkins’ fate is due to a lack of life lessons or sportsmanship. No, actually, that’s exactly what I mean to say.

If you have five technical fouls to your name, what on Earth are you doing putting yourself in a situation where you could get a sixth? Or a seventh, for that matter.

Kendrick Perkins, how many calls have you gotten reversed by moaning to the refs?

I realize that this isn’t an issue specific to Perkins. Nightly, we are treated to ridiculous histrionics whenever a foul is called. Yes, Dwight Howard, in addition to your Stan Van Gundy impression, I’ve noticed your other acting talents.

I also realize that player theatrics are part of how the NBA works. There are definitely cases of preferential referee treatment toward star players as well. But to assume that these things belong in the game and conditionally apply them for the purposes of making an argument is just silly.

The fact of the matter is that Kendrick Perkins had no business putting himself in a situation where he could get additional technical fouls. 

The first tech for the accidental elbow was absolutely a bad call. But the second one was unnecessary melodrama. You’ll hear from others that, Perkins was “just walking away.” But I can say with relative confidence that simply walking doesn’t typically look like a 13-year-old girl storming off after getting some bad news.

I’m giving Doc Rivers a pass here because I think, at least in public, he has to express support for a player that he’ll definitely want around in Game Six. I think privately, between Rivers and Perkins, the discussion will be a bit different.

At the end of the day, the Boston Celtics’ fate isn’t going to be tied to Perkins’. With a 3-2 series lead, they’re still in good position to get to the NBA Finals (assuming health concerns with Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis aren’t too serious).

If their path turns out to be more difficult due to a suspension, Perkins—not the NBA, referees or a magic bullet—will be to blame. 

If only he’d had my junior high coach to guide him.

Superman Returns.

Dwight Howard made sure his Orlando Magic did not stay home for the remainder of the playoffs, scoring 21 points, adding 10 rebounds and five blocks, in Orlando's emphatic 113-92 win Wednesday night.

The win cuts Boston's series lead in half to 3-2.

Jameer Nelson also brought his A game for the Magic, scoring a team high 24 points, while hitting 4-5 three-pointers.

Nelson led four Magic players in double figures, including a productive J.J. Redick who had 14 points in 22 minutes.

The three-point shot was definitely working in Orlando's favor tonight.

The Magic went a combined 13-25 from three-point range, while accumulating a +18 margin over Boston in that category. Orlando also shot over 52 percent from the field, while holding Boston to 43 percent shooting.

The Magic were clearly the aggressors tonight, out rebounding their Boston counterparts 43-26.

Rasheed Wallace led Boston in scoring in Game 5 with 21 points, hitting 3-5 from beyond the arc, and was one of four Celtics to finish in double figures.

Despite having solid games from Wallace, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo, Boston could be without several key players for Game 6.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis was diagnosed with a concussion in the third quarter, after getting hit in the head with an inadvertent elbow from Howard.

Celtics reserve guard Marquis Daniels also received a concussion, after getting hit by an inadvertent elbow from Howard early in the fourth quarter.

But the biggest news could be Kendrick Perkins missing Game 6 of these Eastern Conference Finals, due to accumulating seven technical fouls over the duration of the 2010 NBA Playoffs. He was called for two technical fouls, both perhaps questionable, and was ejected just before halftime.

He will attempt to get them rescinded before Game 6.

The five technicals issued in Game 5, in addition to the injuries, proved the physicality these two teams displayed.

Orlando is now 4-0 when scoring over 100 points, and Boston drops to 0-4 when allowing 100.

The Magic are now in the same position they were in last year to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, before winning the final two games, and the series.

Game 6 will be played in Boston on Friday night.

Boston, put up the brooms.

No sweep here.

Dwight Howard made sure that his Magic would get in the win column, leading his team with 32 points and 16 rebounds in Orlando's 96-92 Game 4 victory over the Boston Celtics, the first overtime game in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, to pull within 3-1 in this Eastern Conference Finals series.

Howard, who has been wildly inconsistent in this series, brought the intensity and aggressiveness Orlando needed, especially after being blown out in Boston 94-71 in Game 3.

Howard, was just 1 of 5 Magic players in double figures.

Jameer Nelson pitched in 23 points, including two key 3 pointers in OT, and 9 assists, to help the Magic avoid being swept, after sweeping the Bobcats and Hawks in the first 2 rounds of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Paul Pierce had 32 points and 11 rebounds, while playing a game high 46 minutes, in a losing effort.

Ray Allen helped keep Boston in the game, scoring 22 points, on 5-7 shooting from beyond the 3 point line.

Rajon Rondo, who has been terrorizing teams with his impressive guard play this postseason, was almost a non-factor in this game. He had just 9 points, although he had 8 assists.

The Magic, who had been shooting dreadful from 3 point territory, hit 10 three-point field goals in Game 4, while having a +15 advantage in that category over the Celtics.

This was the first game the Celtics lost in this year's playoffs, when allowing less than 100 points in a game. They were previously 11-0, while being 0-3 when allowing more than 100 points.

The past 2 weeks have not been easy for Boston fans, as the Boston Bruins had a 3-0 lead on the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals, only to have the Flyers reel off 4 wins in a row to stun the Bruins to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Something the Celtics do not want to go through.

The Celtics also had a 3-2 series lead over Orlando in last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals, only to have the Magic win the last 2 games, and the series, on their way to advancing to the NBA Finals. Boston may have to face those demons again, if they are unable to finish off the Magic in Game 5, which will be held Wednesday.

No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven playoff series, but if any team knows how to win 4 straight in this year's playoffs, it is the Orlando Magic.

In Beantown, he's been the Celtics' secret weapon for the past three years. His play has always been noted as being gritty, aggressive, fearless, and determined.

However, in this year's NBA playoffs, he has truly emerged from the shadow of the Big Three, often directing and leading this season's Boston Celtics in the paint, either coming up with an unthinkable assist or a mind-boggling drive to the basket, almost oblivious to who's defending him.

Rajon Rondo's play in the second quarter with under 8:45 remaining defined his character, as well as the mentality of this year's cast of veterans and young guns in Boston.

As the ball broke loose toward old Lucky's logo on the center court, there was that 6'1'' point guard, hustling to the parquet floor for the ball in a mad dash against his Orlando Magic counterpart Jason Williams.

What's the best way to describe that magnificent play, which resulted in a successful drive to pad the Celtics' double-digit lead?

"I just wanted it," Rondo said following the 94-71 shellacking in Game 3.

A few years ago, he was just the former standout hoops star from Kentucky who was eclipsed by his peers like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.

Titled by fans and media as the new "Big Three," it was the trio of veterans who are usually given the expectation and attention to lead Boston back to championship glory.

That exact scenario happened just two seasons ago, against their West Coast nemesis in the form of the Los Angeles Lakers.

In one of the most highly contested and competitive finals in recent times, NBA fans were delighted to a bit of the 1980s, with marquee players like LA's Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol and Boston's triumvirate.

Lurking in the green's greatness was a then-23-year old Rondo, learning the system in Boston and maturing into a prominent star in the league.

With a championship in 2008, the cards looked just about right in the '08-09 season, with an 18th title somewhat realistic despite the emergence of other Eastern Conference powerhouse teams like the Cleveland Cavilers and Orlando Magic.

Beset by injuries and all-around chemistry problems within the team, Boston would get ousted in a memorable but heartbreaking Eastern Conference semifinals against Orlando, with the Magic besting the Celts, 4-3.

Perhaps following in an old Klingon proverb that "revenge is a dish best served cold," it has been all vengeance for a team that was deemed "too old," "too slow," and not good enough to beat Cleveland, much less Orlando.

Miami was at least given, at best, a decent chance to upset Boston, but even Dwyane Wade's play wasn't enough to hold off the Celtics in the quarterfinals.

LeBron James was in the midst of his make-it or break-it season for the Cavs, having to win a title if fans in the city of rock 'n roll were going to have any hopes of retaining their sensational hometown hero.

Instead, the only mention that "The King" has been getting in the Conference Finals is his future in the league, with plenty of suitors willing to dish out the dough for James' services.

Why is it that Boston, a team that wasn't exactly the talk of the town all season long, has emerged as a true title favorite?

While the talk is getting old, this player has made me a believer as to why Boston's chances of an 18th title isn't so unrealistic. And of course, that player is...Rajon Rondo.

For Boston fans, he's as feisty and ambidextrous as Phoenix's Steve Nash, as versatile as Allen Iverson, and a truly gritty competitor on the court as the many greats before him in Boston.

As for Orlando fans, who are hoping for a comeback in this so-far one-sided series, Rondo has been the bane of their nightmares, with his quick play and hustle annoying Magic aficionados like Joe DeRosa's tolerance with a spectator in Game 2.

Under the tutelage of head coach Doc Rivers, Rondo has blossomed, not only on the court with his spectacular play, but on the bench, offering his insight and input with his teammates as to how to approach their next offensive and defensive attack.

That said, his fine play is backed up by "The Big Three," as well as the emergence of backup forward/center Rasheed Wallace, forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis, guard Tony Allen, and starting center Kendrick Perkins.

Each of those players have contributed tremendously in the playoffs, especially in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Cleveland and in the conference finals vs. Orlando.

To say that Rondo is a catalyst for this season's Boston Celtics isn't tomfoolery, truly reemphasizing the concept of teamwork and selflessness on the field of play in each contest.

Bringing in a fresh set of ideas and somewhat bridging the gap of the feel-good starting cast and the blue-collar benchwarmers, it's no wonder why the true leader of this team is the 24-year old from Louisville, Ky.

Regardless of whether Boston is able to win title 18 this year or in the foreseeable future, what's certain is that the postseason has truly been the initiation of a new NBA star named Rajon Rondo.

No longer is he the quiet background player whose number of assists surpassed Bob Cousy's single-season record of 713.

If Cousy was known as the "Houdini of the Court," perhaps we can dub Rondo as the "David Blaine of the Paint," as he logged 794 dishes this season.

With his fine leadership abilities, maturity, and willingness to get the "W" on the board for Boston, it might not be so far-fetched to be talking about the 2010 NBA finals with the Celtics representing the highly competitive Eastern Conference.

Thanks to a rejuvenated Kevin Garnett, we can do without a pair puppets and a possible Kobe/LeBron matchup because we'll be getting the next best thing: Boston vs. L.A. No disrespect to Orlando and Phoenix, but let's be serious, it's all about the Lakers and Celtics this year, again.

It's typically out of my character to just write teams off in the middle of a series but why not? Everybody else is doing it. I couldn't wait to get a crack at previewing this series, with so many twists and plots, it should be another great one.

So if Boston and L.A. do eventually matchup for the 12th time in NBA Finals history, things should be pretty interesting. Despite the historic brilliance of both clubs, the Celtics/Lakers Finals series has been pretty one-sided so far. Boston owns a 9-2 edge in the series with their last victory coming in 2008 when visions of a Boston comeback, a Boston blowout and Doc Rivers being doused with Gatorade defined the series. But things could be different this time around. Or could they?

After all, Pau Gasol is a better player now, Kobe Bryant is still Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers are more experienced and better equipped to scrap with a rough and rugged Boston squad. But Boston is also sporting a different look these days. Gone is the dominance of the "Big Three" and in is the superstardom of All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo.

Rondo's emergence has continued the Celtics' image of a lock and block defensive unit while upping the tempo and transforming them into a fast-paced drive and dish team.

The Lakers have had a history of being openly victimized by athletic point guards and a new defensive game plan will have to be in order for a Finals rematch. Bryant exclusively locked up with Rondo in the '08 Finals in an effort to give him a rest on defense and out of chasing Boston sniper Ray Allen off screens.

But Rondo was nowhere near the scorer in '08 that he is now, so Bryant typically gave him an open cushion and the green light to launch jumpers. While perimeter shooter still isn't one of Rondo's strengths, it would be a huge mistake for the Lakers to put Bryant on him again should the teams meet. Rondo has stamina to burn while Bryant, 31, is nowhere near the thoroughbred he used to be.

L.A. will be in a tough position regardless of which direction they look to because putting Derek Fisher on Rondo will be just an open invitation to the rim for the Celtics point guard.

There'll be a lot of clashes in this possible series to keep note of; Ron Artest vs. Paul Pierce and Gasol vs. Kevin Garnett will both weigh heavily on the outcome but Boston doesn't have a man to check Lamar Odom off the bench and with the way Odom is playing right now, the Celtics will definitely have to key on him.

Everything about this series screams television viewership records from the names on the front of jerseys to the ones on the back. No other teams are hotter right now than the Lakers and Celtics. Los Angeles has turned into a scoring machine while Boston has been the premiere defensive unit of the postseason.

It shouldn't be long now, just have to wait for Orlando and Phoenix to lie down and let history take its course. The last two NBA Champions set to slug it out in what could be the last hurrah for both clubs.

Kobe vs. LeBron would've been nice but who needs puppets when you have the Celtics and Lakers?

Every time LeBron James went to the foul line last night, chants of “New York Knicks” began radiating around the new Boston Garden.

Despite a triple-double, James appeared disconnected from the game and his teammates for most of an evening that led to a 94-85 Celtics win and yet another early playoff exit for the Cavaliers.

Needless to say, the New York Post ran a headline in their sports section first thing this morning titled “Bring on The King,” as if James had already been signed, sealed, and delivered to Madison Square Garden.

But, let’s just for a moment think about James’ decision in an objective manner.

Aside from playing in the largest market in American sports, what can the New York Knicks really offer James in terms of his ultimate goals?

The guy is already one of the top-five paid athletes in the world in terms of his endorsement dollars, and he just signed his latest Nike contract without a common clause that pays athletes more money if they were to move to a larger, more populated market.

He’s going to get a massive contract wherever he goes, whether it’s Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Miami, or Cleveland.

Money is not, and will not be an issue for James wherever he signs.

He knows that the only path to basketball immortality is through NBA titles.  As of right now, he has yet to win one and he will probably go at least another three-to-four years without winning one of he were to come to the broken-down clunker of a team that has become the New York Knicks.

Let’s also not forget the ongoing love/hate relationship that New York fans have with their athletes.  For all the good that New York fans can bring to the table, there’s also a lot of bad.

James is a guy that has enjoyed the love and adoration of his fan base since he was 12 years old. 

New York fans, on the other hand, are not exactly what you’d describe as the most loyal bunch.

He comes to New York and has five bad games, and he will be attempting to play basketball while his hometown crowd is simultaneously attempting to boo him off the court.

Every newspaper and magazine in New York will have you believe that James is already a Knick, and has been for the past year.

But take one step back to look at James’ decision objectively, and you will quickly see that aside from the aura that “New York” carries with it, there’s very little the Knicks can offer James right now as it pertains to his ultimate goal.

If you have an interest in the PGA Tour or the latest on Tiger Woods, check out The Tour Report blog.

Boston Celtics

vs

Orlando Magic

Season Series: Orlando 3-1

*** If you missed the Western Conference Final Preview & Prediction Between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angles Lakers Click Below ***

NBA Western Conference Final: Preview and Prediction - Lakers vs Suns 

The Boston Celtics have shown they deserve to be in the Eastern Conference Final through blood, sweat and tears. Well, not so much tears but they'll be plenty of tears in Cleveland now that Lebron will be looking to go elsewhere and considering a New York strip club has offered him free lap dances, hmm.

As I stated in the Celtics-Cavs preview, if Boston wanted to move on in the series, it wouldn't be because of the Celtics big three (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) but Rajon Rondo would have to play incredible, which he is highly capable of and that's exactly what he did.

When Rondo was selected with the 21st pick in the 2006 NBA draft, the Celtics got one hell of a good player and 20 other teams passed up on one of the best players in that years draft. The Raptors took Bargnani with the first picked and passed up on the only two players from that year who've made the all-star team this early in their career (Brandon Roy and Rondo).

With the way Cleveland played all year, I figured even with James a little banged up, the Cavs would pull it off and I'll be the first to admit, I was wrong. After taking care of the Heat in five games, they rode all the momentum into the second round and even though they lost game one 101-93 and it looked as if James' injury wouldn't bother him, the Celtics stole home-court advantage with a game two 104-86 beat-down.

Cleveland fans aren't used to seeing their team get slapped in the face on their home court but they might be getting used to it after games three and four were split in Boston, the Celtics came back and yet again blew-out the Cavaliers 120-88 and handed the Cavs their largest home-court loss in playoff franchise history.

Cleveland couldn't rebound from the huge loss and lost multiple games for the fifth time this season (one of the times can be attributed to James and others resting late in the season).

With the way the Celtics finished off the regular season (losing eight of their final thirteen games), everyone thought that Chicago might be able to upset Boston but I knew they're size advantage over the Bulls would reign supreme.

Orlando is looking amazing this year (especially in the playoffs) and the addition of Vince Carter has improved the Magic so much but giving their opponents one more playing to worry about other than Howard. Look at how that completely dominated the Hawks but don't write off the Celtics as they have a vast amount of talent with their big three and Rondo plus a good bench and they're been there before. Garnett, Pierce and Allen combine for just under 50 points per game, while chipping in rebounds with few assists.

They don't need assists, it's phenomenal guard Rajon Rondo who's putting up approximately a double double and dishing the ball out to his fellow superstars. Kendrick Perkins is the centre and final man on the starting roster and he can chip in double digits on the stat sheet in both points and/or rebounds himself. It undeniable that the Celtics starting five have an endless supply of talent but moving on to their bench, they've got talent their as well.

Even though Rasheed Wallace hasn't been what Boston's organization and fans expected he would, he does have the ability to break out at any given time during a game. They also picked up players like Nate Robinson and Michael Finley to help give their stars a rest, while guard Oliver Lafayette and Big Baby Davis aren't players to take lightly.

This series is going to come down to one thing for both teams. For the Celtics, it's stopping Dwight Howard and Vince Carter. If they don't, Orlando could just run away with the series like they have against everyone else. For Orlando, they have to stop (much like Cleveland couldn't) Rondo because he is no question, the most pivotal player in Boston's success.

The big three are important but they are getting old and can't do it all themselves as they need to rely on Rondo do take off all the pressure, alleviate double teams and find Garnett, Pierce and Allen in favourable match-ups.

When I said the Orlando Magic were going to dominate the Atlanta Hawks, I was certainly right and one thing that is most certain, is that they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Not only are they the defending East Champs, but they are laying the beat down on any opponent who comes their way and seem to be settling for nothing less than the NBA Championship.

After getting through the Charlotte Bobcats in a quick four games, they sat back and watched other teams get bumped and bruised in other series. After the Hawks had a gruelling seven-game series with the Milwaukee Bucks, they had to travel to Arnway Arena and face off against the Magic. Game one was a wake-up call for the Hawks, as well as the rest of the NBA as the Magic thumped the Hawks by a staggering 43 points in a 114-71 victory.

The huge victory was lead by none other than Dwight 'Superman' Howard who put up 22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks and managed to stay out of foul trouble and frustration that was evident in round one. Atlanta was held to just ten points in the second quarter, while Orlando went on a 17-0 run never looking back.

In game two, the Hawks we able to show a little more fight, but again didn't have enough as the Magic pulled away in the fourth quarter and won 112-98 (quite decisively). As the series traveled back to Atlanta, the momentum stayed with Orlando and they beat the Hawks' like a red-headed step-son 105-75.

I knew Orlando was going to run away with this series and possible sweep Atlanta, especially after the Hawks had a gruelling seven game series against Milwaukee but I don't think anyone predicted they'd swept the series by a combined 101 points. That is unheard of. You never, and I repeat NEVER see consecutive blow-outs in playoffs (in any sport) the way that Orlando dominated the Hawks.

And its not like the Hawks aren't good!

Round one wasn't as decisive but the Magic still walked all over the Bobcats and have gotten stronger as the playoffs progress. People aren't wondering anymore if the Magic will win the Eastern Conference, because people know they will... now they are wondering when they'll lose their first game.

Personally, I'm thinking they loose games two and four, before they win back-to-back games in five and six.

The Orlando Magic are for real. Dwight Howard is a beast and dominates the games on both sides of the court. He can consistently put up twenty points a game, while taking double teams that free up a team mate for an open shot.

Howard will not only pull in defensive rebounds, but 94 feet down the court, he'll pull in defensive rebounds and block shot, after shot, after shot. The thing is, Howard isn't just putting up twenty points a game as he's focused more on smart basketball that gets his teammates open.

Jameer Nelson has exploded because of it and is averaging over 20 points per game. To be a contending in the NBA, you need a star player (Howard) but it's just as important you have a reliable player who can handle the ball. Jameer Nelson and Rajon Rondo are doing just that and as the playoffs have moved along, Nelson has been improving drastically.

When the Magic shipped out Hedu Turkolu and brought in Vince Carter, to make a long story short, any fan of Toronto knows the woes of Turkolu this season while the former Raptor's star has given everyone a little dose of Vinsanity down in Florida. Rashard Lewis pitches in and Matt Barnes and Michael Pietrus split time and even Reddick and Gortat can come off the bench and give the Magic a spark.

The Magic have lucked out with extremely favourable match-ups in the playoffs thus far and it's not going to continue against the Boston Celtics. This series is going to be a battle.

The only team who can pair up against Orlando and give them a run for their money is questionable the Celtics, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat them last year in the NBA Finals. The Celtics pushed the series to the brink against Orlando last year and lost in game seven but the Magic have only improved (more-so than Boston) in the time since the 2009 playoffs.

If and when Orlando moves on, you may just see an identical series as last year in the Finals, and unfortunately for the Magic and their fans, a identical outcome.

TheCoach's Pick: MAGIC in SIX

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