Sunday, March 30, 2014

Greg Crawford On Basketball, March 30th, 2014

By Gregory Crawford---TV, Print and Radio Basketball analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz

Toronto Raptors----On a long road trip by an NBA team, everyone for years wanted to see the Toronto Raptors on that trip. No longer, the Raptors are 10 games above .500 at 41-31 and in the playoffs.

Dwayne Casey certainly has to be in the running for NBA coach of the year.

Kevin Durant----The remarkable streak of 25 points or more in a game continues. Now at 38, Durant is within reach of the record streak of Michael Jordan in the 1986-87 season of 40 games.

No question if not the best player in the game, Durant is top three. He does need an NBA championship now to have the ultimate career. As people sometimes are told, you don't have to win an NBA championship to join the elite ranks, I am one that believes you do. What do you think?

LaMarcus Aldridge---No question, the Portland Trail Blazers need Aldridge healthy. Going on their second five game road trip in the month of March, it looked bleak for Portland losing their first three with Aldridge sitting out with a back injury.

But to the rescue. Aldridge returned for the last two games of the trip and Portland won in two places really tough to get the W, Atlanta and Chicago. With a 47-27 record, the Blazers will now play six of their last eight games at home, heading into the playoffs.

Jimmy Dykes---You do not see this too often, but today it was announced by the University of Arkansas that Jimmy Dykes has signed a four year contract to become the Razorbacks new women's coach.

Dykes has been an analyst for ESPN basketball since 1996 and if you listen to him, he is one of the best in the business, the way he can break down any game with total passion. More than likely Dykes will win an NCAA championship at Arkansas, he is a big time basketball guy for sure.

Gregory Crawford's other sports blogs:

http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com

http://crawscorner.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Greg Crawford Basketball, March 25th, 2014

By Gregory Crawford----TV, Radio and Print basketball analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz

NCAA---What a wild opening round to the NCAA tournament. It might not quite be parity, but there sure was lots of games that could be called that for sure. As well as unexpected blowouts and close games, it is fun for fans, but crazy for any brackets people have.

In the end, it sure would be nice to see some different teams, but we appear headed to a team like Virginia or Florida as national champion. Do you feel this has been good for the game what has happened this year, or is some of the luster lost with Duke, Kansas and Syracuse out of the picture?

NBA----About the same as the NCAA, in the NBA you are starting to see what appears to be much more upsets than in previous years. You also in the NBA this year, are seeing many more winning streaks, one sided games and overtime games than in previous years. Like the NCAA, in the end you will probably see a San Antonio/Miami final.

Portland State----Good for Tyler Geving, willing his team to a 17 victory season after dismissing his best player in the month of January. Those 17 victories secured a spot in the CIT tournament for the Vkings. It will also give them some confidence for next year, of which it would appear on paper the Vikings, if they get the recruits they are projected to get would be a top three team in the Big Sky. Geving will also be given an extension to his contract very soon, an extension well earned.

U of Portland----11 miles north of Portland State, things seem to be well settled for the U of Portland Pilots, as Eric Reveno will return as head coach. It has been rumored that he might have to shake up his staff, which has been together for many years, but that seems unlikely at this time, especially on the account that Reveno is a very loyal guy. The Pilots missed out on a chance to get the CIT, as they finished the season one game below .500, thus not being eligible for the CIT since all teams in the field must be at least .500 or better.

Gregory Crawford is on top of basketball from all levels of college basketball, the D-League, NBA and NBA Draft. He is also famous for his NWAACC and NWC/CCC  power rankings and  Greg Crawford Basketball comes out daily, sometimes several times daily, http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com