Boozer Has MRI on Toe, Misses Practice

First was Derrick Rose who had a bad wheel, now it’s Carlos Boozer with an injury for the Bulls…

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer underwent an MRI on his right big toe, and the results were consistent with turf toe.

Boozer didn’t practice as the Bulls prepared to face the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, which begin Monday at the United Center. Coach Tom Thibodeau expects Boozer to be ready for Game 1.

“[He's] day to day,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He didn’t practice today. We’ll check him again [Saturday].

Read more about Boozer’s injury at ESPN.com

Mavs’ Caron Butler May Return Against Lakers

Not many people outside of the Dallas area gave the Mavs a shot against the Blazers, but they won the series quite convincingly. They would have even more momentum against the Lakers in the second round if they get Caron Butler back…

There is a chance small forward Caron Butler could play in the Dallas Mavericks’ second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Butler suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon Jan. 1, an injury that had to be surgically repaired. The Mavericks originally announced that Butler’s season was over, but he set a goal of returning during the playoffs, and aggressively rehabbed.

While leaving the Rose Garden after the Mavericks’ series-clinching win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Butler said he could be cleared to practice with contact after being evaluated in a workout when the team returns to Dallas.

He expressed optimism that he would be able to play at some point during the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers.

Read more about Butler’s recovery at ESPN.com

Air Jordan V “Quai 54″

The Jordan Quai 54 is a 16-team tournament held in Paris, France every year. For last year’s Quai 54 basketball tournament, Jordan Brand released a pair or Air Jordan IXs that are said to be limited to about 2,000 pairs. This year the model of choice is the Jordan V. Featuring a white tumbled leather upper with a black mudguard and the growingly popular Electric Green color is seen on Jumpman, plastic tabs, and translucent sole. A Quai 54 logo is also seen on the outsole of each shoe towards the back. Note that Cement Grey is used on the “teeth” of this pair of Vs.

These are scheduled to drop on July 2, 2011 and retail for $150.

[via AirRandy]

Celtics vs. Heat: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble

I don’t know about you, but this was a second round matchup that I hoped we would see. I figured the Celtics would get by the Knicks and the Heat would eliminate the 76ers, but now that both have actually happened and this series is here, I’m excited.

Others that may have also been anticipating this series did so because they feel there’s a rivalry between the Heat and Celtics. Allow me to clear that up: there is no rivalry between these two teams. There’s a rivalry between the Celtics and LeBron. It began a few years ago when James was still in Cleveland and it’s very apparent to me that they still don’t like each other. Those Cleveland, Boston series were very intense and that has carried over to this year. You knew the LeBron-Celtics hatred was still alive when they played their very first game this season, which drew record viewership. That made every regular season game thereafter a must see.

Boston looked very good in the first round. That was thanks in part to the fact that they were up against an injury ravaged Knicks team. They seemed to have dried their tears regarding the Kendrick Perkins trade because since that deal, they weren’t they same team. It was almost as if they were pouting. Against the Knicks, they appeared to pick up right where they left off when Perk was still on the roster. They looked like they were clicking on all cylinders.

But what seemed to be working best for them was the play of Rajon Rondo. He absolutely had his way against the Knicks. If he grabbed a rebound in the backcourt, it was just about guaranteed that he would take it coast to coast for a layup. That happened repeatedly in that series. It makes you wonder: is there anyone on Miami’s roster at the PG position that would be able to jump in front of Rondo and slow him down? No.

The Celtics are an older team but still have many weapons. Even though he’s not half the athlete LeBron is, Paul Pierce usually plays him tough. Paul is slow, but very savvy. And when you sprinkle in the fact that he’s a world class flopper, it makes him a tough cover. I expect that to frustrate LeBron. Hell, it frustrates me watching from home. As usual, when LeBron takes it to the hole, he’ll be met with some very physical fouls. That was the case late in the season when Jermaine O’Neal lowered his shoulder when LeBron was driving to the rim. This is Jermaine’s first year as a Celtic and he has already bought into the “we don’t like LeBron” theory.

Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade will also be an interesting matchup at the 2-guard spot. Ray Allen runs off screens better than anyone I’ve seen since Reggie Miller. I’m sure that will give Wade problems. It gives anyone problems. But if Ray goes cold, then it won’t matter. During last year’s playoffs, we saw an incredible stretch were Ray Allen went ice cold and he was subsequently rendered uselss. Yes, he’s made more 3-pointers than anyone else ever has and it’s a record that will never be broken, but even he dies by the 3 sometimes. And he’s incapable of guarding Wade 1-on-1.

I think Bosh will have his hands full with Garnett. KG plays physical and Bosh is the furthest thing from. If KG puts a body on Bosh and gets in his head, he should win that matchup. At the Center position, Jermaine O’Neal may have another mini-field day like he did against the Knicks. Also, if Shaq comes back, it will make things interesting for Miami. And Mike Bibby, Mario Chalmers and Eddie House combined can’t stay in front of Rondo.

This will be a very fun and physical series and tips off on Sunday. The matchups seem to favor the Celtics, but that’s why you play the game because you never know. Conventional wisdom would make you inclined to pick Boston, especially since they won the season series 3 – 1. But I wonder if they looked so good in the first round simply because they’re a much better team than the Knicks? We’ll find out. Before the season began, I thought the Heat would win the East so I feel inclined to stay with that pick but they certainly have their hands full with Boston.

If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook

 

Amar’e and Bosh In New Nike Spot

As soon as Amar’e Stoudemire and Chris Bosh moved to more media friendly cities like New York and Miami, I just knew we would be seeing more of the NBA superstars in print and in commercials. Both have sort of taken a backseat lately, Stoudemire with the arrival of Carmelo Anthony and Bosh behind Dwyane Wade and Lebron James, but have strong enough personalities to forge their own path in the advertising world.

Perhaps that’s why Nike chose Chris and Amar’e, along with Philadelphia Eagles flamboyant wide-out DeSean Jackson along with baseball superstar Ken Griffey Jr, to star in a commercial for their newest line of Air Max athletic shoes.

The commercial is actually pretty creative combining some sweet 3D cartoon art along with a nifty storyline which has Amare on a skateboard, Jackson on a bike, and Bosh twirling a basketball on his index finger before they all meet up at Griffey’s corner bodega to get some fresh new kicks, hot out of the oven.

The one very noticeable fact about the commercial spot is the stark difference in height between the barely 6 foot tall Jackson and the 6’10-ish Stoudemire and Chrish Bosh. Not that it’s a complaint, but you’d think that with all of the computer generated effects being used nowadays that they would have given my man DeSean a platform to stand on or something to make them at least appear even. Not to worry DeSean, what you lack in size surely is made up as you play like a giant every Sunday.

Check out Bosh, Stoudemire, and DeSean Jackson in Nike’s “Cool Kids Get Fresh Air”:

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.

Celtics Hopeful Shaq Will Practice Today

Questions started to rise about the Boston Celtics when they traded Kendrick Perkins. Luckily for Boston, Jermaine O’Neal has stepped up big for them so far in the playoffs. Hopefully, they’ll have the services of their other O’Neal soon…

The Boston Celtics hope to have Shaquille O’Neal back at practice on Friday.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said O’Neal would do a “skeleton” workout on Thursday and “hopefully” join the team on Friday for its final workout before Sunday’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat.

O’Neal has played a total of 5 minutes, 29 seconds since Feb. 1 because of problems with his right calf and Achilles tendon.

Read more about Shaq’s condition via AP on NBA.com

Not Sure This Is What Professor Meant by “Big Three” [PIC]

I guess this student at the NBA playoffs on his mind when writing this test. I can’t blame him as a hoop head myself, but seriously did he think he would get some comedic credits or something?

Dwyane Wade Season Highlights Mix

Here at The Hoop Doctors we are big supporters of Derrick Rose and his deserving performance of the MVP this season. But there was another man who was close in the running that has roots in Chicago but has made his home in Miami with the Heat.

That man is Dwyane Wade, and his Heat are preparing to take on the Boston Celtics in the second round of the Eastern Conference.

So for you D-Wade and Heat fans out there, buckle up and enjoy the ride Wade took us on this season:

McHale, Cassell On List Of Rockets Coaching Candidates

The Houston Rockets are looking for a coach for next season and they have put together quite the list of candidates…

Kevin McHale will join a long list of candidates interviewing for the Houston Rockets coaching job, Yahoo! Sports reported Thursday.

A Hall of Famer as a player, McHale coached the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2005 and from 2008-09. He also served as the team’s general manager.

Former Rockets guard Sam Cassell, as well as former Oklahoma and Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson, will also interview, KRIV-TV in Houston reported Tuesday.

The Rockets requested permission to interview Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey, sources close told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein last Thursday.

The Houston Chronicle reported in Thursday’s editions that the Rockets already have established contact with two other high-profile available coaches — Mike Woodson and former Cavaliers coach/current ESPN NBA analyst Mike Brown — and have interviews scheduled next week with former Mavericks assistant Mario Elie (now with Sacramento) and current Rockets assistant Jack Sikma.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets will not rush their search, however, to allow for the possibility that candidates not currently available — such as Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy — could suddenly hit the market as Adelman did, depending on what happens in the playoffs.

Other assistants whose teams are still in the playoffs, such as Boston’s Lawrence Frank and San Antonio’s Mike Budenholzer, also are expected to draw interest from the Rockets.

Read more about Houston’s coaching pursuit at ESPN.com

The Hoop Doctors Podcast: Episode 50

This week on THD Podcast Kevin Burke discusses his take on the playoffs thus far…

If you often find yourself too busy to watch The Hoop Doctors Podcasts, get them on the go for your iPhone or iPod! Subscribe to our Podcasts in the iTunes Directory, free of charge. Also, if you have any questions you’d like answered by Kevin or any other member of The Hoop Doctors team, feel free to email them to admin@thehoopdoctors.com and we will be sure to select the best of the best to have answered by Kevin On-Air next week or in a future episode.

Next Page »