Look forward to seeing Lebron James checking Derrick Rose at some time in this series.

By Brandon Pemberton

www.brandononsports.WordPress.com

The Eastern Conference Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat kicks off tonight and I here to break down the series and predict a winner. A month ago before the playoffs started,I picked the Bulls to win the East and go to the finals (http://brandononsports.WordPress.com/2011/04/15/nba-playoff-preview-and-predictions), hit the link and check the archives if you thinking I’m making this up. After watching the playoffs and the growth of the Heat as a team, I might think different.

Coaching: Tom Thibodeau won the NBA’s coach of the year in his first season, leading the Bulls to a 62 win season. He was always known as the master of the Boston Celtics defense and he’s brought the same principles and toughness to his current team. He has this team coached up well from Derrick Rose to the 12th man. He comes up with different schemes for different teams and players and he holds his players accountable for playing defense or they don’t play.

(more…)

While putting up points, OKC needs more playmaking from Russell Westbrook in game 7 if they plan on winning.

By Brandon Pemberton

www.brandononsports.WordPress.com

First of all let me start by saying this, I had the Memphis Grizzlies losing in 6 games to the Spurs in the first round of the NBA playoffs. I’m as surprised to see them one game away from the Western Conference Finals as the next person and I’ve watched them play throughout the season(due to my purchase of the NBA package for the 1oth straight year lol). In game six, OKC was up by ten points at the half and flat out got hammered in the 2nd half being outscored 51-29, losing by 12 points.

Outside of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, in my opinion the Grizzlies have more talent 1-12 on their roster and it’s one of the reasons why there is a game 7 being played today. The frontcourt duo of Zach Randolph(23.8 ppg and 12.7 rpg in the series) and Marc Gasol(16.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg, and 2.8 bpg) are and have been a complete mismatch for the Thunder, so look for the Grizzlies to continue pound the ball inside and kick the ball out for open three point shots when doubled down low.

(more…)