The NBA is on its final stretch of the regular season and playoff is just around the corner. Just a few weeks ago, two major teams from the East and West went through major changes after the All-Star weekend. Let's start with the defending champs Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have been very busy improving their lineup, signing up veterans Kyle Korver, Deron Williams and former Warriors center Andrew Bogut. With this addition, it looks like the Cavs are going to breeze through the NBA Finals again, especially with a less formidable opponent from the East. But sadly, these acquisitions have been a dismissal one. Andrew Bogut suffered another season-ending injury with just minutes into his debut, Korver has been sitting on the bench and Deron has been playing more of a one-on-one ballgame. The Cavs are struggling to hold on the no.1 seed in the East playoff picture and are currently lad behind the Boston Celtics.
The Cavs look like a total mess, there's a confusion on both ends, they play more individually and less like the champions they once were. But don't get me wrong, I am still rooting the Cavs for a repeat this season. But James has to get them to believe they can still do it. It will always start from him, his attitude towards the game, lesser of the acting job and focus on playing basketball instead. Coach Lue has to step his foot before it is too late.
Moving over to the West, the Golden State Warriors lost All-Star Kevin Durant to a knee injury but is due to be back anytime soon. The season looks dark for Warriors after the injury of KD and for the first time in three years they lost three straight games, with the third one against the San Antonio Spurs. But this was when Coach Kerr decided to rest all his all stars in that game. The strategy actually worked wonders to the Warriors, who are riding on a 9 game winning streak since they lost three straight. Even without the injured KD, the team looks like a well-oiled machine. Actually, they look more like the champion from 2 years ago with their team defense, passing and most importantly, the bench contribution. Credit goes out to the whole team and coaching staff which makes me worry now on what will happen when Durant returns. The chemistry of the team will be disrupted again and with KD back, the bench contribution will suffer again. But let us all wait and see the scattered when playoff starts. This week alone, the Warriors beat Houston and came from behind against the San Antonio Spurs. They will be playing against Houston again today, in which James Harden would want to get even. But again, the Warriors biggest threat are the Spurs, who have a strong lineup and a deep bench loaded with both young and veteran gunners.
In my crystal ball, I can see the Cavs are bound for another NBA Finals appearance. In the West, it will be a toe-to-toe battle - battle of the coaches, teacher against the student, battle of the veterans, battle of the benches. It will be Warriors and Spurs in the West Finals.
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Congratulations to all winners and finishers of the first ever Consolacion Mountainbike Duathlon supported by SM Consolacion in partnership with Municipality of Consolacion and the Consolacion Tourism Board. To all those who, in one way or another, have greatly contributed to the success of the event, my profound gratitude. I may run out of space if I mention you all. In behalf of Fritz Co and lawyer Terence Fernandez, thank you from the bottom our my hearts.
SIDELINE: Registration for the biggest fitness boot camp in Cebu is now open at the 2nd floor of Ayala Active Zone beside ROX. The camp is set for April 25 to June 3. The P2,500 early bird rate is good only until April 16. The regular rate is P3,000. The first 100 registrants will get a limited edition jersey. It's now our 6th year in making our fellow Cebuanos 'fitter, stronger and healthier'. For more details, call us at 406-9267.