NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

The 60 hopefuls had already been named as the NBA conducted its annual draft night at the Madison Square Garden in New York Thursday night (Friday morning Manila time).

Hitting the jackpot as the number one pick over-all for the Chicago Bulls is Derrick Rose, a 6-3 guard out of Memphis. Rose averaged 14.9 ppg as a freshman last season. He was a 3rd team All-American selection by the Associated Press and NABC. He played for the USA Basketball junior selection that played in the 2007 Hoop Summit in Memphis.

The Miami Heat selected 6-10 Kansas State forward Michael Beasly with the second pick over-all. In his only season as a college player, Beasly scored 26.2 ppg in 33 outings. He was named National Freshman of the year by The Sporting News and USBWA. Beasly was also selected to the John Wooden award All-American team.

The Minnesota Timberwolves tabbed USC guard O.J. Mayo with the 3rd pick, The Seattle Supersonics had chosen guard Russel Westbrook from UCLA for the No. 4 pick and the Memphis Grizzlies went for UCLA forward Kevin Love with the No. 5 pick to complete the first 5 picks of the draft. The reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics settled with New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens with the last pick of the first round (30th pick).

Last season, the Sonics run away with a gem in swingman Kevin Durant, the 2nd pick pick over-all, who was named Rookie of the Year for 2007-08. Durant was chosen behind center Greg Oden, who was selected by the Portland Trailblazers as the top over-all pick. Oden's maiden NBA season was a big bust as he missed all of the regular season due to an injury.

Its a brand new world for these kids as they try to muscle their way in and live their longtime dream of playing in the greatest basketball show on earth, the NBA!

USA AGAINST THE WORLD

Now that the NBA finals is over, the focus shifts on a summer of full of hope for cage pundits around the globe as Team USA gears up for the coming cage wars of the Olympiad in Beijing, China from August 8-24, 2008.

The last time team USA won the olympic gold medal was in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. It was coming off a disappointing bronze medal finish in the 2004 Athens olympics won by Argentina. This time around there is not turning back for the star and spangled squad as they assemble a who's who roster for the Beijing joust.

The complete roster of Team USA:

Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)

Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)

Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)

Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)

Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)

LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)

Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)

Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)

Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks)

Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)

Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)

Head Coach - Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University)

Assistant Coaches - Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University)

Mike D'Antoni (New York Knicks)

Nate McMillan (Portland Trailblazers)

Team USA is looking for blood, for vengeance and it showed that they really mean business in last year's FIBA Americas Championship, the qualifier for the Beijing Olympiad, as they posted a 10 win-0 loss card. The way team USA massacred the opposition is evidenced by the following results :

Won over Venezuela, 112-69

Won over US Virgin Islands, 123-59

Won over Canada, 113-63

Won over Brazil, 113-76

Won over Mexico, 127-100

Won over Puerto Rico, 117-78

Won over Uruguay, 118-79

Won over Argentina, 91-76

Won over Puerto Rico, 135-91 (semi-finals)

Won over Argentina, 118-81 (finals)

Whew! a whopping 39.5 winning margin per game! Not a few had believe that this is the second coming of the original dream team, which run roughshod over the opposition in the 1992 Barcelona olympics.

It will be one busy summer for coach Krzyzewski and his staff as they prepare for battle. The following is the complete itinerary of team USA :

June 28-29
Las Vegas TrainingLas Vegas, Nevada

June 28 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Cox Pavilion, UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 21-25
Las Vegas Training/ExhibitionLas Vegas, Nevada

July 21 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 22 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 23 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 24 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Valley High School, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 25
State Farm USA Basketball ChallengeLas Vegas, Nevada

July 25 (5 p.m.)
USA vs. Canada
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 28-Aug. 1
USA Basketball International Challenge - Macao, China

July 28 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

July 29 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

July 30 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

July 31 (8 p.m.)
USA vs. Turkey
Coati Strip Cotai Arena

August 1 (8 p.m.)
USA vs. Lithuania
Coati Strip Coati Arena

August 2-5
USA Basketball International Challenge - Shanghai, China

August 2 (7:30-8:30 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Site TBA

August 3 (3 p.m.)
USA vs. Russia
Qizhong Arena

August 4 (12:00-3:00 p.m.)
USA Team Training
Site TBA

August 5 (8 p.m.)
USA vs. Australia
Qizhong Arena

August 8-24
Olympic GamesBeijing, China

August 7 (Time TBA)
USA Team Training
Beijing Normal University

August 7 (4 p.m.)
Official Team Press Conference
Main Press Center

August 8 (Time TBA)
USA Team Training
Beijing Normal University

August 9 (Time TBA)
USA Team Training
Beijing Normal University
Preliminary Round

August 10 (10:15 p.m.)
USA vs. China
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 12 (8:00 p.m.)
USA vs. Angola
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 12 (8:00 p.m.)
*USA vs. Qualifier C
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 10 (10:15 p.m.)
USA vs. Spain
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 12 (8:00 p.m.)
*USA vs. Qualifier B
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 20
Quarterfinals
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 22
Semifinals
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

August 24
Finals
Wukesong Indoor Stadium

NOTE: USA Team training times and sites are subject to change. Media are encouraged to verify all sessions you plan to attend.
All times listed are local times.
* Opponents to be determined through the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that takes place July 14-20 in Athens, Greece.

Its vindication time for Team USA!

CELTICS ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

This time my crystal ball won't be denied and it is written in the sky, the Boston Celtics are the 2007-2008 NBA champions! A 17th championship banner will be hoisted over the rafters of the TD Banknorth Center after the Celtics demolished the Los Angeles Lakers, 131-92 to wrap up the best of seven series, 4-2 and the NBA diadem.

It was a massacre, a cold blooded murder, a devastating KO punch or call it whatever you want, but the way the Celtics closed out the series over the Kobe-powered tinseltown outfit was never ever before seen in the history of the NBA finals. The biggest lead the beantown boys posted in the game was 43 points and gosh, this is the finale. The 39 point victory margin is the largest ever in a deciding game.

The game 5 loss by the Celtics may have given the Lakers the false hope and mind setup in believing that the NBA crown can still be won in 7 games but the reality is that the Celtics just took it easy and set their sights in celebrating at home for the game 6 clincher. But what is mind boggling is that no way in any cage pundit's wildest imagination that the deciding game will be a horrible blow out. With the NBA title now safely tucked under its belt, will this be the start of another Celtics dynasty?

It is a sure thing that Celtic GM Danny Ainge will retain the core of this fantabulous squad come the 2008-09 season and is looking forward to a back-to-back NBA crown. NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett would love to see the retention of game 6 revelation Rajon Rondo, veterans James Posey and PJ Brown, hotshot Eddie House, shocktroopers Leon Powe and Tony Allen, starting slotman Kendrick Perkins and rookie wonder Glen "Big Baby" Davis. However, facing a bleak future with the team are ageless warrior Sam Cassell and seldom-use back-ups in Scott Polard, Brian Scalabrine and rookie Gabe Pruitt.

As the final buzzer sounded for game 6, there were lots of sights that are touching and worth reminscing for the Celtic fans such as the emotional interviews with Pierce and KG (who kept on shouting "I'm Certified, I'M Certified!"), KG embracing Celtic legend Bill Russell tightly and whispering the words "I've got one now" and the ever inspiring presence of Boston greats John Havlicek, Cedric Maxwell and Jojo White. It was truly a magical season for coach Doc Rivers and the men in green. Red Auerbach had lighted his cigars over there in the big sky!

Color it green and I am out of here!

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

It was a case of "one step backward, two steps forward" for the Boston Celtics in their quest for their first NBA championship in 22 years after the LA Lakers denied the men in green in game 5 to win, 103-98, thus extending the series to a game 6.

Not a few believe that the Celtics will finish the series at Staple Center, the Lakers pit. A championship celebration will be surely be half-baked when its won far away from home. Now with a 3-2 lead, the Celtics will return to their homecourt at TD Banknorth Garden with their guns ablazing for game 6.

Except for Paul Pierce, almost all of the Celtics were out of sync in game 5. But despite an off-night from the Celtics, the Lakers fought tooth and nail to carve out the hard-earned win. It was almost like game 4 all over again as the Celtics came back from a 19 point deficit in the 2nd quarter to take the lead early in the 3rd canto. But the breaks went LA's way down the stretch and KB24's crucial steal off Pierce sealed the victory for the team from la la land.

Now, everyone is bracing for the big one, the big celebration, the ultimate thing, the clinching of the diadem at home for the Celtics. Remember, the boys from beantown had lost only once at home in the play-offs and they had twice trounced the Lakers early in the series.

Its champagne time!

AMAZING COMEBACK BY THE CELTICS; LEADS 3-1!

It is a question of who wants it more down the stretch and the Boston Celtics completed one of the greatest comebacks in NBA finals history by downing the LA Lakers, 97-91 in game 4 at the Staples Center.

The Lakers went out fast from the gate and built a 20 point cushion early in the first canto, 27-7. The boys from tinseltown then padded it to 24 during the 2nd period and it looks like the series would be drawn back to square one and the men in green from beantown would eventually suffer a devastating loss. The Celtics made a run towards the latter part of the 2nd quarter as they cut down the lead to 12 points before guard Jordan Farmar connected on a desperation 3 point basket at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 57-40 advantage at the halftime break.

The 3rd quarter looked like a mind-boggling scene from the twilight zone as the Celtics incredibly slashed down the lead of the Lakers to only 2 at the end, 73-71. From there on, there's no stopping Boston of stealing the crucial game 4 from the grasp of the Lakers. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and James Posey presided in the final canto with clutch baskets that broke the backs of the Lakers. If there is one thing to commend about the Celtics win, its DEFENSE. The Lakers were limited to only 34 points in the 2nd half by a stingy Boston defense anchored on Kobe Bryant. KB24 finished the game on 6 of 19 shooting from the field no thanks to the "Boston Stranglers". Five Celtics finished the game in double figures in scoring with Paul Pierce leading the pack with 20 points, Allen had 19 points, Posey with those timely 3-point shots contributed 18 points, Garnett pumped in 16 points and another surprise package in Eddie House, who tallied 11 points.

The devastating loss dealt the Lakers a psychologically damaged mindset going into game 5. They will surely be smarting from the pain of the heartbreaking loss from the previous outing and the Celtics will surely take advatage of that and finished off the proud but inexperienced team from la la land. So is it champagne time for game 5?

Your guess is good as mine!

BULLS: THE SEARCH IS OVER

When I was still actively playing b-ball during my younger years, I had a penchant for jump shots and outside shooting. Actually it was my forte, my style and up to this day I can still challenge anyone for a shooting contest. Even in the NBA, my fave players now and then were those considered dead shots when it comes to the perimeter game. I love the offensive games of Chris Mullin, Rick Barry, Tracy Murray, Joe Hassett, Jason Kapono, JJ Redick, Marco Bellineli and Vinny Del Negro.

Well, Del Negro had just hugged the limelight recently as the Chicago Bulls appointed the 41-year old ex-North Carolina State Wolfpack as its new head coach. It came a big surprise when the windy city outfit ended up their long search for a top guru with Vinny, who had no coaching experience whether in college or the NBA, after entertaining several top prospects which included new Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and veteran Doug Collins. So who is Vinny Del Negro?

Before accepting the Bulls coaching offer, Del Negro served as the Assistant General Manager of the Phoenix Suns. He played 13 years in the NBA and had stops at Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Golden State and Phoenix with a career average of 9.1 ppg in 771 games.

It will be an interesting 2008-09 season for Chicago as the Bulls make a 360 degrees turn around, transforming from a defensive-conscious unit (under Scott Skiles) to a well-oiled offensive machine under the watch of Del Negro. Hopes are high with Vinny's arrival after a disappointing 2007-08 season for the Bulls which were highlighted by the firing of Skiles on Christmas eve and failure to advance to the play-offs.

It will be a make-or-break year for the Bulls and Del Negro!

TWO DOWN! TWO TO GO!

The Boston Celtics had completed their initial mission, that is to deny an LA Lakers win in game 2 of the NBA finals.

With their 108-102 victory, the beantown boys now moved up 2-0 in their epic best of seven championship series. If the tinseltown squad won game 2, the Celtics will then be in big trouble as the next 3 outings are scheduled at Staples Center, the Lakers pit. Game 2 was a very important game for the Lakers to win but they just blew it in the end. Now even if LA wins all those 3 games at home, the series moves back to TD Banknorth Garden for games 6 and 7, if necessary. The Celtics are just unbeatable at home. The Lakers certainly had their backs against the wall.

From the way things are right now, it looks like KG, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and the rest of the men in green are in for a long summer of celebration as the massive team buildup initiated by Danny Ainge will finally come to fruition and a 17th championship banner to hang over the rafters. Red Auerbach is itching to light up his cigars over there in the big sky!

HENSON LEADS RP TV COVERAGE ANEW

"The Dean" Quinito Henson is back for his 10th stint in the last 12 years as anchorman for the Philippine TV coverage of the NBA finals. Henson and partner PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad left Manila last Tuesday to be at courtside come game one of the best of seven NBA championship at Boston.

The Dean had previously covered the 1997 showdown between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz and as well as its rematch in 1998, the 1999 series between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks, the 2000 series between the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers, The 2003 series between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Jersey Nets, the 2004 upset of the Detroit Pistons over the Lakers, the 2005 epic series between the Spurs and the Pistons, the 2006 clash of the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks and of course last season's finals sweep of the Spurs over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Aside from the NBA finals, Henson had numerous stints too as anchorman for RP TV live coverage of NBA all-star weekends in the past, doing the play-by-play accounts in Cleveland, Oakland, Los Angeles, Houston and Denver.

Other notable luminaries who had also worked the NBA finals TV coverage with Henson in the past includes Andy Jao (now the Red Bull's assistant manager in the PBA), Vito Lazatin (of Solar Sports) and Anthony Suntay (currently with ESPN Star Sports).

Aside from the TV coverage which can be seen live on C/S Sports-RPN and BTV, Henson will exclusively write on the sidelights and behind the scene tidbits for the Philippine Star.

Every NBA finals on Philippine TV won't be complete without the voice of the Dean!

WHAT A DECISION!

What's on your head Joe?! Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons had just fired Flip Saunders as coach of the motown outfit. Saunders had just led the Pistons to the Eastern Conference finals for the 3rd straight year and suddenly became the scape goat for their failure to topple the powerhouse Boston Celtics in the recently concluded eastern conference finale.

The decision caught the NBA pundits by surprise considering that Dumars and Saunders seemed to be on good vibes a few days after the series with the Celts was over. Everybody is looking forward for a revamp of the Detroit lineup but not the coaching staff.

It seems Dumars had become too greedy with the NBA hardware since winning the 2004 diadem. But with 6 straight conference finals appearance, the Pistons are in a position where 27 other NBA teams would love to be.

Saunders compiled an eye-popping 176-70 win-loss record or a winning percentage of .715 in 3 marvelous seasons with Detroit. Before joining the Pistons in 2005, Saunders coached the Minnesota Timberwolves for 10 straight seasons (1995-2005). He also had a coaching record of 587-396 win-loss mark in 13 NBA seasons (.597 winning percentage).

The Pistons is one of the teams I used to admire because of its good management, which resulted into winning the 2004 NBA title over the then heavily favored Lakers team. But right now I can honestly can say that the once-proud franchise is at a lost and shall continue to rock the boat until it turns downward and sink further to the doldrums. What a waste!

WISH COME TRUE FOR THE NBA

So my NBA finals prediction went pfft and the wish of the NBA had been granted! Its NBA retro finals, a battle royale of a storied rivalry, The BOSTON CELTICS VS. the LOS ANGELES
LAKERS for the 2007-08 diadem!

Ever since the Celtics and the Lakers made great changes in the composition of their respective line-ups during the season, the NBA gods had been wishing one thing for a dream championship, that is the revival of pro basketball's great rivalry, which is not only rewarding for the longtime supporters of both teams but will also reap dividends business-wise. For sure, a Celtics-Lakers finale will get additional media mileage and generate more revenues for the league than a Spurs-Pistons series.

Anyway, it will be a fresh sight for basketball enthusiasts to see a Lakers-Celtics finals series. It had been 21 long years since they had their "last dance" in 1987. Both franchises are genuinely excited to be back in championship series once more. The beantown's team captain Paul Pierce is looking forward to a bruising series. Curiously, Pierce is a Los Angeles native and grew up in Inglewood loving the Lakers and hating the Celtics. After the Celts won the Eastern Conference crown over the Detroit Pistons last Saturday morning (Manila time), he said "As a kid, I hated the Celtics, I'm going back home to play against my team that I grew up watching. It's a dream come true, man, just thinking about it. I think that rivalry really revolutionized the game of basketball, and now I'm a part of it."

Its also great to see Kevin Garnett finally showing his wares in a championship series and just like Pierce and Ray Allen, is looking forward to that elusive ring which had eluded him since his rookie season in 1996. A sure future Hall of Famer, a champiosnhip hardware shall be the icing on the cake for KG's exceptional career as a pro cager.

During the Eastern Conference championship celebration at the Celtics dugout, its nice to hear once again the battlecy "BEAT L.A.! BEAT L.A.!", which was last heard 21 long years ago. The presence of Celtic great John Havlicek during the celebration was very touching and an inspiration sight to behold for the title-hungry beantown team.

Pinoy NBA expert Quinito Henson texted me a week ago that he will be back live at the courtside to bring the coming NBA finals to Philippine TV. I truly believe it will be one heck of a TV coverage once again by the Solar Sports outfit, to enable the filipino audience to witness the best possible coverage of the NBA finals. "The Dean" will also have the finals' sidelights and behind the scene news exclusively at the Philippine Star. So you better start getting your copy today.

Just like Pierce, I like the Lakers over the Celtics during the 1980s as a fanatic of the great Earvin "Magic" Johnson. I hate Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, the late Dennis Johnson and the rest of the guys in green. But that was then and this time as I matured into an avid baketball observer through the years, I'm picking the Celtics over the Lakers in six games (here I go again!). So fasten your seatbelt guys and brace for a nostalgic NBA retro finale tipping off on June 6, 2008 at the fame Fleet Center in Boston!