All I gotta say is...

ENJOY THE PLAYOFFS!

Looking for a nice, lengthy post next week. Lakers, Suns look to have their places locked for the Conference Finals. So do Magic. Not so sure on the Cavs, though.

For your entertainment, here's Shimmy:

Some tidbits for today, folks. Probably the first time I didn't put the logo for this feature at the Baseline. Oh well. You can tell this is Ballin' In the Barn from the title. Unless if you weren't paying attention, though. But anyways, let's get to the point here, shall we?

1. Bobcats got sweeped by Magic, 4-0. Their last two games came close, but it wasn't enough. Oh well, it was their first time ever in the playoffs. I can understand. With Jordan as owner and Larry Brown hopefully still at coach, anything's possible for next year.
2. Cavs shut out the Bulls 4-1. No surprise there. I expected a sweep and a 4-2 series win for Orlando. Oh well, close. LeBron did great, however.
3. Milwaukee is doing strong against the Hawks. Series lookin' good. Although I originally liked the Hawks in this one, I'm voting for the Bucks here now!
4. POR can still get Phoenix. But I see the Suns winning.
5. How about them Thunder? Lakers look to close the series out tonight but I hope the Thunder win and stretch this out to a seven-game series.
6. I really wish all the best for Denver and I hope they can get back in this series and extend it to seven games.
7. Wish the same for the Mavs. Okay, no I don't! KILL EM SPURS!
8. Can't wait for Celts-Cavs
9. Go Pacers

The fine folk of TWolves Blog, blissfully ignoring the fact that the NBA Playoffs are proceeding without the presence of the Minnesota Timberwolves, have some great fun in store for us. TWB has a couple of Draft Lottery Mascot Challenges running, in order to select some mascots to bring the TWolves luck in the all important NBA Draft Lottery. The brackets work in an elimination, tournament style.

Firstly, we have the Celebrity Region, featuring the likes of Chuck Norris vs Mr T and Kanye West vs Taylor Swift. This is going to be the best bracket of all time. Of ALL TIME, you hear me Kanye?

Secondly, we have the Athlete Region of the bracket, where Joe Mauer takes on Robert Swift and Starbury battles Employee #8, amongst many others.

Get on over to TWB and vote on your favorites across both regions as the bracket of 64 gets whittled down. You can find both of them here:

• TWB NBA Draft Lottery Mascot Challenge: Celebrity Region
• TWB NBA Draft Lottery Mascot Challenge: Athlete Region

"I wish I had it to do all over again, and starting 20 years ago, I'd be suspending Phil and Pat Riley for all the games they play in the media, because you guys know that our referees go out there and they knock themselves out and do the best job they can. We have coaches who will do whatever it takes to try to work them publicly," Stern said. "What that does is erode fan confidence, and then we get some of the situations that we have. So, our coaches should be quiet because this is a good business that makes them good livings and supports a lot of families, and if they don't like, they should go get a job someplace else."

So calm down NBA coaches. Jeez.

Last night showed some nice games. Probably an off night really for the top teams. Maybe they were paying too much to the NFL Draft and see if their city gets a nice player. Maybe that's why the Cavs lost. They are probably paying attention to see if the Browns get Dez Bryant or Jimmy Clausen, someone like that. Instead, they got Joe Haden, who ain't that bad. But the Cavs have this series, so it's all good.

As for Los Angeles, they probably didn't care. I think the Thunder played really hard. I also liked that freakish dunk by Russell Westbrook on Lamar Odom. Go on YouTube or something and check it out. You can just type in "Russell Westbrook Lamar Odom" and it might pop up. Cool dunk. I liked it. What I also liked is that the Thunder won. They are now back in the series. Now they just need to tie it up at 2 and see if they can get this Lakers team scared.

On the other hand, a team that should be scared are the Blazers. This Suns team looks to take control. I like what they're doing. Keep it up Phoenix.

On another note, a team that shouldn't be scared are the Magic. During warmups in Game Two, the Magic players were just playing around. That's when Bobcats' coach Larry Brown started to get pissed. He pretty much said something like this: "What they did during warmups is how effing serious they're taking us." The Bobcats struggled big in Game Two. Stephen Jackson needs to step it up. So does Felton. So does everybody, actually! I think I see the Bobcats winning Game Three tonight. Brown probably had a big talk here.

You guys heard of the rapper Wacka Flocka? I know, the name's weird but you should've heard his hit song before on the radio or somethin'. O Let's Do It! Good beat, good tone, I like it. But now, have you ever seen LeBron Flocka? Here he is, and it's swagga:

Props for the pic to my man Kerby. By the way man, I hope you return to The Blowtorch someday. Really enjoying blog.

For Raptors' fans, it's time to worry. I guarantee y'all that Chris Bosh is moving. You can't bribe him. He's done so much for the team and you guys still can't make the playoffs. Even with Hedo freakin' Turkoglu. Even with freakin' Jose, freakin' Bargnani, freakin' everyone! Bosh is moving. And now there are some talks of him going to the Thunder?? Wow. Imagine how great the team would be, eh?

Congrats to Aaron Brooks. He was named MIP. He deserves it. He did real good this season. He became a star during the playoffs and that's when the legend became.

Is Baron Davis starting to be a Caveman? He's starting grow his beard real big now. I like that. Soon, we'll be seeing this guy in the Geico commercials.

Geico

So easy, a Baron Davis can do it.

You know, that can actually fit really really well. I'd like to see that someday.

Okay guys, this wraps up Ballin' in the Barn for today. See y'all next week. Keep Ballin my friends!

-JD

The Bloguin basketball bloggers have selected Tyreke Evans as the Rookie Of The Year by a blogslide. Evans, who averaged 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 37 minutes per game for the Sacramento Kings, received 79% of the first place votes, with the remaining number ones going to Brandon Jennings. The surprise result of the voting process was Jennings, who led the Bucks to the playoffs with 15.7 points and 5.7 assist in 32 minutes per game, tying for second with Stephon Curry, who busted out with 17.5 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Although Jennings received three first place (David, BlueBlitz; Brendan, Stepien Rules; and Gene, Favre Dollar Footlongs), Curry finished ahead of the young Buck on 57% of the ballots. Evans, Jennings and Curry received recognition on all ballots.

The Bloguin crew also recognized the performances of Hornet teammates Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton. Darren did not receive ballot love from Dave (TWolves Blog) and David (BlueBlitz). Thornton appeared on three ballots ( Don, With Malice, Pace, Pacers Pulse and Kirk, Cleveland's Curse) while DeJuan Blair was picked for the final spot on four ballots (Jeff, Project Spurs; Lives, Knicks Fanatics; Sheed, Bustabucket; and Zach, Talk Hoops) but accumulated fewer points.

Other rookies to receive consideration included Terance Williams, Jonny Flynn, Reggie Williams, Taj Gibson, Serge Ibaka, and Omri Casspi

For the final vote, the panelists included the following distinguished bloggers: Don, With Malice; Jeff, The Hoops Manifesto; Pace J. Miller, Pacers Pulse; Jeff Garcia, Project Spurs; College Wolf, TWolves Blog, Mookie, A Stern Warning; Kirk Lammers, Curse of Cleveland; Sean Francois, HoopsHeadsNorth; Brendan Bowers, Stepien Rules; Zach Harper, Talk Hoops; Gene Zarnick, Favre Dollar Footlongs; Sheed, BustaBucket; David Franzoni, Blueblitz; and Lives (me) of Knicks Fanatics Blog.

BLOGUIN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

#1

TYREKE EVANS

The Bloguin Choice has been made; the "Chosen One" has been chosen. As expected the Bloguin family of basketball blogs paid homage to LeBron James in its final vote for NBA Most Valuable Player. LeBron received 138 of a possible 140 points, which means the selection was not unanimous (Hmmmm!). Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, who both had exceptional seasons, received one first place vote each. Nevertheless, LeBron was the runaway favorite. Kevin Durant was the second favorite among the Bloguin crew with 119 votes.

For the final vote, the panelists included the following distinguished bloggers: Don, With Malice; Jeff, The Hoops Manifesto; Pace J. Miller, Pacers Pulse; Jeff Garcia, Project Spurs; College Wolf, TWolves Blog, Mookie, A Stern Warning; Kirk Lammers, Curse of Cleveland; Sean Francois, HoopsHeadsNorth; Brendan Bowers, Stepien Rules; Zach Harper, Talk Hoops; Gene Zarnick, Favre Dollar Footlongs; Sheed, BustaBucket; David Franzoni, Blueblitz; and Lives (me) of Knicks Fanatics Blog.

Voters were asked to rank their top ten MVP selections. In all, 22 players received at least one vote which seems to speak well of the quality of individual balling this past regular season. Among those who did not make the final 10 cut were Amare Stoudimire, Joe Johnson, Manu Ginobli, Tim Duncan and Chauncey Billups. Those who received a single vote at the final spot on a bloggers list included Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer.

The most interesting ballot amongst the bloggers was that of scholar Mookie of A Stern Warning. He identified several ballers not recognized by most other voters. After selecting Kobe Bryant over LeKing as the MVP for 2010, Mookie selected Manu Ginobli, who had a stellar year, at the 6th spot followed by Chauncey Billups (7th), and Andrew Bogut (8th) above Steve Nash (9th) and Deron Williams (10th).

Only LeBron, Kobe and Durant graced all of the ballots. Tim Duncan made three ballots (David's, Brendan's & Zach's) and Zach Randolph received 10th place votes on two of them (Lives and Dave).The only Rookie to get a vote was Brandon Jennings (Gene). Bosh got one lone homer vote from Sean.

At the end of the day, or the season, it was clear that the LeBron James was the most valuable player in the NBA. He was a statistical phenom averaging 29.7 points per game (2d best in the league), 7.3 rebounds per game and 6.5 assist per game (Ranks 6th in NBA). He was also 2nd n free throws made, 1st in field goals made and 10th in steals. His play was spectacular and he capably ran the point position when the team was shorthanded while leading the Cavs to the best record in the league.

Congratulations and thanks to LeBron for an enjoyable season.

BLOGUIN MVP

#1

LEBRON JAMES

TWolves Blog is the place to go for a fun slant on the Minnesota Timberwolves and the rest of the NBA. And of course, as a TWolves fan, you have to be able to take a light-hearted viewpoint on the NBA, don't you? On a weekly basis we are going to have some syndicated content from TWB here, taking a broad look at the NBA. Be sure to visit TWolves Blog for more.

And the Winner Is…

The NBA’s first season has concluded, and the real season starts this weekend. With that being said, it was an entertaining and fun NBA season. As my esteemed colleagues and I are all Wolves fans, please excuse us if we seem negative or antagonizeable (screw you spell check, I’m saying it is a word). It has been a painfully looong season for some of us. But, we will try to eliminate the pathetic Wolves from our minds, and focus on the stars and success stories from this stanza. Before I introduce the participants, here are some things I enjoyed immensely in the 09-10 season: Joakim Noah, the Zach Randolph resurrection, the continued fantasy agony of Nellieball and the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Jennings’ hairdo’s, NOT the dunk contest, Kenny making fun of Charles’ weird chest hair, Wolves in-game announcer Natalie Kane, Jo Noah’s hair, Ginobili’s streaks of brilliance, Turbo aka Corey Brewer’s dunks, Jeff Van Gundy, Kevin Harlan and Mike Tirico, NOT Hubie Brown, Rondo, gambling on the NBA w/ College Wolf, TNT Thursday’s, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Jo Noah’s sideburns.

Now on to the picks! I am very excited to share the forum with my distinguished panel of party animals and Wolves fanatics. We have The Don – College Wolf, the controversial Roundhouse, and the man known simply as Pants. Don’t let these foolish names fool you – these guys know their stuff. Now onto the Lebron James award…

Please click "Read More" for the rest of the weekly NBA Jam goodness and awards...

Sorry I haven't done Ballin In the Barn for a while. Computer got messed up, then there was Spring Break. But Ballin in the Barn is back. Though we do this column every Thursday, I just wanted to do this really quickly for this Friday. Okay, so let's get to it.

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