Will the Lakers and Heat Meet in the 2013 NBA Finals?

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant seemed to get along fine at the 2012 Olympics, helping Team USA secure gold in men's basketball. They probably won't be as chummy once the 2012/13 NBA season starts.

After struggling during the 2012 postseason - getting manhandled by the Oklahoma City thunder in the second round, the Los Angeles Lakers made some pretty big moves during the offseason, adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to their lineup.

"Well, it looks like Superman has found a home," Bryant posted on his Facebook page after Howard was picked up. "I wish nothing but the best for Big Bynum. I hope he follows what was a great season last year with an even better one next year. I know LA is excited about the deal and rightfully so. The Lakers landed a piece that will hopefully carry the franchise long after I'm gone. I have spoken to Dwight Howard already and we are locked and loaded to bring back the title."

Obviously, Kobe and the Lakers want to add a few more championships to their impressive collection, and I wouldn't be surprised if they earn a spot in the NBA Finals.

However, the Heat have also been busy during the offseason, and the addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to their lineup gives them more than enough firepower to deal with any team that dares to oppose them.

While I'm pretty confident the Heat will make their way to the 2013 NBA Finals, the Lakers will have a much tougher path. The Western Conference is still the dominant conference in the NBA, and the Lakers will have to go through powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs on their way to the finals.

Even though some basketball fans thought that LeBron's move to Miami would be bad for the NBA, it's actually had the opposite effect. The Heat's constant efforts to sign the very best players in the league, has forced other teams to do the same.

I know it's a little early for predictions, but I think the NBA is about to have one of its best seasons in a while.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
ESPN.com, "Sources: Dwight Howard to Lakers"

Earthquakes Snap Sounders’ Unbeaten Streak

The Seattle Sounders FC tried to bounce right back from their devastating US Open Cup Finals loss to Sporting Kansas City, but they ran into more problems against the San Jose Earthquakes, losing their Aug. 11 encounter. With the loss the Sounders' six-game unbeaten streak (MLS) came to an abrupt end.

"We've played a lot of games," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "At the end of the day, I'm proud of what we did and proud of our ability to come back. There were times when we gave up territorially a little bit more than we would have liked, but at the end when you look at good, clean chances, we had as many as San Jose did."

Fortunately for the Sounders, they still get to hold on to the third spot in the MLS Western Conference table, but they're now tied with Real Salt Lake.

Both offenses struggled throughout the match, but the Earthquakes finally opened up the scoreboard in the 71^st minute, when Simon Dawkins fired a shot past Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning.

However, the Sounders evened things up at the end of regulation, thanks to Fredy Montero, who headed in a goal, a few minutes after coming in as a substitute for Andy Rose.

Unfortunately for the Sounders, they gave up another goal shortly after. Steven Lenhart capitalized on a corner kick, nodding the match-winning goal past Gspurning. For the Sounders it was one of their toughest losses of the season, as it looked like momentum was starting to shift in their favor when Lenhart secured the win for San Jose.

"I don't know - I have no words for what happened this week," Gspurning said after the match. "Losing two times in one week is not normal, but from the performance we can keep our head up high. We had two targets and we didn't reach both, so we have to speak about this, but in the end we can't change anything."
The Sounders will now get some much needed rest before hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 18.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Jeremiah Oshan, "San Jose Earthquakes Vs. Seattle Sounders: Highlights, Stats, Quotes"

LeBron James Talks About 2012/13 NBA Season

After leading the Miami Heat to their second NBA title in franchise history, LeBron James didn't exactly take a break. Instead, "King James" lead Team USA to a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics, displaying his leadership abilities throughout the tournament.

With the Olympics behind him, LeBron can now shift his focus towards the 2012/13 NBA season. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers have already made some big moves during the offseason, adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to their lineup. And it's safe to say the road to a second consecutive NBA title won't be an easy one.

However, LeBron seems really confident in himself and his teammates, and he doesn't seem overly concerned about the changes going on in the league right now.

"I want that feeling again," LeBron said during a recent interview with ESPN. "That champagne bash, the confetti, it was very quick. It didn't last long, and I want that feeling again. I look forward to the next challenge, and us trying to defend our crown."

The Heat have also made some changes of their own during the offseason, signing Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Both are reliable scorers, and they'll make opposing teams think twice about double-teaming Miami's "big three."

Even though the Heat will get some serious competition from teams like the Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder, they're still the favorites going into the 2012/13 NBA season.

Unfortunately for LeBron, regardless of his accomplishments, his critics aren't likely to go away anytime soon.

"I don't even get involved with that anymore," James added. "I don't look for it. I don't shy away from it. I just kind of roll with what's going on. For me, it started before last season, I came in with a different mindset and a different attitude and it didn't matter if you believed in me or not, I was still going to be how I was and stay true to who I was and who I am. And that's all that matters."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
ESPN.com, "LeBron James eyes Rio Games"

Seattle Sounders Hand Chivas USA 6-2 Thrashing

Fredy Montero put on a remarkable performance on Aug. 25, propelling the Seattle Sounders FC to a 6-2 win against Chivas USA.

With the win, the Sounders are now tied with Real Salt Lake for the second spot in the MLS Western Conference table. They're now trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by only seven points.

"We knew it was going to be a strange game just because of where they are at on the standings," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "We knew that we would have to take some risks and go forward, and one thing we talked about was the desire to go forward; we knew it was going to present us opportunities, which it did."

Sounders midfielder Brad Evans opened up the scoreboard early in the match, firing one past Dan Kennedy inside the box. Montero doubled the Sounders' advantage in the 27^th minute, capitalizing on a well-played pass by Mauro Rosales. Montero struck again in the 34^th minute, chipping in another nice pass from Rosales.

Fortunately for Chivas, they were awarded with a penalty kick shortly after, when Seattle defender Adam Johansson was called for a hand ball inside the box. Juan Agudelo converted on the ensuing kick, firing up Chivas' offense.

"The Goats" cut the Sounders' lead to a goal early in the second half, thanks to Miller Bolanos, who fired a shot past Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning in the 64^th minute. However, Montero was far from done, and he redoubled the Sounder's lead three minutes later, once again making the most of a Rosales assist.

Sammy Ochoa added to the scoreboard in the 80^th minute, and Ante Jazic' own-goal gave them a four goal lead in stoppage time.

Given Seattle's struggles early on in the 2012 MLS season, it's easy to appreciate how well they're playing right now. With their offense firing on all cylinders, the Sounders are once again establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the MLS.

I really like the chemistry between Montero and Rosales right now, and that can only lead to good things in the future.

The Sounders might have failed in their quest to become the first team to win four consecutive US Open Cup titles, but I have a feeling they'll make some history when the MLS Cup rolls around.

Their next game will be in Trinidad against Caledonia AIA on Aug.30. It'll be the second leg of their first round series in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League.

Follow me on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: 'We have a really good team. We have players…'"

Five Reasons the Miami Heat Will Repeat in 2013

The Miami Heat secured their second NBA title in franchise history earlier in the year, dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2012 Finals. They're clearly the most dominant team in the NBA right now, and I expect that trend to continue.

Here are five reasons the Miami Heat will win their second consecutive NBA title next year:

1. LeBron James has found himself
"King James'" decision to take his services to Miami, rubbed some basketball fans the wrong way, but it certainly was the right choice for LeBron. With the Heat, James finally got the opportunity to play with other superstars, and that turned him into a better player. The intense backlash he received from fans toughened him up, and he solidified his role as one of the NBA's greats with his many clutch performances during the 2012 postseason. Like it or not, LeBron is the best player in the NBA right now, and won't change for quite some time.

2. Erik Spoelstra proved he can coach at the highest levels
Even though Spoelstra put together a decent coaching record before the Heat acquired LeBron and Chris Bosh, many still wondered whether he was the right man for the job. However, he's managed the "big three" well, keeping everyone on the same page. With Miami's dominant performance in the 2012 NBA finals, questions about Spoelstra's coaching abilities will no longer be a distraction.

3. The addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis
As if Miami needed any more firepower, they've added two decent scorers to their lineup. Allen will help the Heat spread their offense, with his three-point shooting; while Lewis gives them another player that can drive to the basket (he's decent from downtown as well).

4. Mario Chalmers will only improve with time 
Chalmers is arguably the most underrated player on Miami's roster, and he'll only get better with time. He contributed to the Heat's success during the 2011/12 NBA season, and I expect him to play a bigger role next year.

5. Weakened Eastern Conference
The NBA's Eastern Conference hasn't been as weak as it is right now in quite some time, but that will only make Miami's road to the Finals that much easier. Besides the Chicago Bulls (who'll be without the services of Derrick Rose for the first half of the season) and Boston Celtics, I can't see any team in the east competing with the Heat.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 

Sounders FC Secure Second Straight Victory Against Caledonia AIA

The Seattle Sounders FC improved to 2-0 in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League, winning the second leg of their group stage match against Caledonia AIA 3-1 on Aug. 30. With the win, the Sounders are now three-points away from guaranteeing themselves a spot in the championship round of the tournament.

"Getting six points was important to us because now we've put ourselves in a position that we need to win just one of our last two games," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "We've got one game at home and we've always said winning games at home is the key, and getting some points on the road, but now we know if we win one of our last two, we win the group. It was a position we wanted to be in at the end of the day."

The Sounders' last two matches in the group stage will be against Honduran club, C.D. Marathón on Sept. 19 and 26.

The Sounders started off a little sluggish against Caledonia, but Alex Caskey opened up the scoreboard at the end of the first half, finishing a Zach Scott pass with a beautiful shot. They doubled their advantage in the 60^th minute, thanks to Sammy Ochoa, who lobbed a Fredy Montero pass into the post.

However, Caledonia didn't go down without a fight, and they caught a break in the 67^th minute. Seattle defender Zach Scott was called for a rough tackle on Jamal Gay inside the box, and Kareem Joseph converted on the ensuing penalty kick.

Fortunately for the Sounders, Fredy Montero - who scored three goals in his last outing - gave them some extra insurance two minutes later, finishing a Caskey cross with a nice touch.

Seattle's defense held up for the remainder of the game, preserving the victory. They've now won six of their last eight matches, and things couldn't be going any better for the Sounders right now. Their defense has been consistently solid throughout the 2012 MLS season, and their offense is starting to come along.

The Sounders will now return to MLS play, where they're currently tied for the second spot in the Western Conference. They'll face Dallas FC on Sept. 2.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Sigi Schmid: 'Now we know if we win one of our last two (games), we win...'"

Five Teams to Watch During the 2012/13 NBA Season

The NBA is poised to have one of its most entertaining seasons in years, and I for one look forward to Oct. 30. Here are five teams to look out for during the 2012/13 NBA season:

1. Miami Heat
No surprise here, the Heat secured their second NBA title in franchise history during the 2012 Finals, and they're clearly the team to beat right now. With consistently solid role players like Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem, plus the signing of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, Miami's "big three" have all the support needed to secure consecutive NBA titles for the first time in franchise history.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been busy during the offseason, turning themselves into a serious championship contender once again. With the addition of Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Antawn Jamison, the Lakers will definitely shake things up in the Western Conference, and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up battling the Heat in the 2013 Finals.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder dominated the NBA's Western Conference last season, but they ran out of steam when they ran into Miami in the Finals. Fortunately for Oklahoma, they're a very young team, and their experience in the 2012 Finals will only make them better. The Thunder didn't lose any of their superstars during the offseason, and I expect them to have another impressive season.

4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs were manhandled by the Thunder during the 2012 offseason, but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of this group. Their "big three" all have championship experience, and they've been one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the NBA for quite some time. It won't be easy making it to the Finals in the west, but I wouldn't count this team out.

5. Boston Celtics
The Celtics might have lost Ray Allen to the Heat, but they picked up Jason Terry and Brandon Bass during the offseason. The rest of their core superstars remain intact. The Celtics are still one of the toughest teams in the NBA's Eastern Conference, and I expect them to make their sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 

Eddie Johnson Leads Sounders to Victory Against Chivas USA

The Seattle Sounders FC increased their current unbeaten streak to five matches on Sept. 8 defeating Chivas USA 2-1 at CenturyLink Field.

With the win, the Sounders move up to the second spot in the MLS Western Conference table, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by six points.

For a moment, it looked like the Sounders were going to be in for a tough game, as the "Goats" opened up the scoreboard early in the contest. Chivas midfielder Nick LaBrocca capitalized on a nice pass from Shalrie Joseph, firing a shot past Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning in the 8th minute.

Fortunately for the Sounders, Eddie Johnson had another impressive game, and he evened things out in the 29th minute, nodding in a free kick past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

Seattle dominated the match from that point on, but they weren't able to get anything into the post.
Just when it looked like the Sounders would have to settle for a draw, Johnson struck again in the 89th minute, heading a Fredy Montero cross into the post.

"Obviously, we didn't start off well," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said after the match. "We put ourselves behind 1-0, but I think it's our first come-from-behind win all year. Then we showed some character in terms of coming back."

Even though the final score doesn't reflect how well the Sounders played on Saturday, I was impressed with the way they handled the ball. They did fail to capitalize on a few scoring opportunities, but it didn't matter thanks to Johnson's impressive performance. With his second goal, Johnson set a new franchise record for the most goals in a season.

"[It's about] winning games as a team, trying to get better as a team week in and week out," Johnson said after the game. "Everything else is a bonus. That's a bonus. I couldn't ask for a better team to share that with. They're the reason why I'm getting my goals."

With seven games left in the 2012 MLS regular season, the Sounders should be able to close out the year with the top spot in the Western Conference. Their defense has held opposing teams to only 5 goals in their last 5 matches, while their offense has scored 14 goals.

The Sounders will suit up next on Sept. 15, against the Portland Timbers.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.

Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Eddie Johnson: 'All the hard work we put in week in and week out, it's paying off.'"

Seattle Sounders FC Settle for 1-1 Draw Against Portland Timbers

The Seattle Sounders FC increased their unbeaten streak to six games on Sept. 15, settling for a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers. Obviously, the draw didn't do much for the Sounders in terms of catching up with the Western Conference leading San Jose Earthquakes (who currently lead Seattle by eight points in the conference standings), but it was enough for them to hold on to the Cascadia Cup.

"Obviously for them it was a very emotional game," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "You saw by all their players that went out injured and cramping up and little niggling muscle injuries toward the end that they had expended everything that they had in this game. From that standpoint I was pleased we were able to keep them at bay for the majority of the game."

Contrary to the low score, both offenses had their share of chances to score goals, but they had a hard time finishing their plays.

At halftime, the match remained scoreless, but the Sounders eventually opened up the scoreboard in the 57th minute, when Fredy Montero capitalized on a long goal kick from Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, firing a beautiful shot into the post.

"It was a long pass from Michael Gspurning," Montero said after the match. "The ball bounced and I tried to hold the defender. When I saw I was in the box, I just tried to hit the ball. It was good."

Unfortunately for the Sounders, a defensive lapse allowed the Timbers to equalize in the 78th minute.

Portland defender Rodney Wallace nodded a corner kick towards the Sounders' post, and Gspurning collided with Leonardo Gonzalez while going for the save, resulting in the equalizing goal.

The Sounders tried to regain the lead during the final minutes of the game, but the Timbers refused to budge.
The Sounders were without their main playmaker Mauro Rosales on Saturday, and it certainly affected the flow of their offense. Fortunately for the Sounders, Rosales should be back within the next week.

Hopefully, the Sounders will get back to scoring goals with Rosales in the lineup. With six games left in the 2012 MLS season, they still have a chance to secure the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Sounders will now head over to Honduras, where they'll face C.D. Marathon on Sept. 19. With a win, the Sounders will advance to the championship round of the CONCACAF Champions League.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: 'We know we can be better, but at the same time…'"

LeBron James Poised for True Greatness

When LeBron James decided to take his talents to South Beach, his critics tried to paint him as an underachiever who would never realize his full potential.

Despite the hostilities LeBron and the Miami Heat had to endure, "King James" put his doubters to shame during the 2012 NBA postseason, delivering multiple clutch performances on his way to his first NBA championship and Finals MVP award. During the summer, he led Team USA to a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.

At this point, it's safe to say LeBron's decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers was the right move for his career.

As good as LeBron is right now, there's still room for improvement in his game. His teammate Dwyane Wade certainly thinks so, and he shared his thoughts during a recent interview with ESPNChicago.com.

"The sky's the limit," Wade said. "He's been very good. He has three MVPs. I don't know statistically how much more he can do, but I think just his dominance of a game and starting to really understand everything about the game now. It's starting to all come together. That's the scary part. … He's not afraid to say, 'Listen, let's go work out in the gym together. Let's make each other better.' It's a good thing."

It's comments like these from LeBron's teammates, that make me feel pretty good about the Heat's chances of becoming the next great dynasty in the NBA.

Unlike other NBA superstars that have played over the years, LeBron has always been highly committed to getting his teammates involved, and his willingness to share the ball has a lot to do with the Heat's success in the past two years. James' free-throw and perimeter shooting still needs a little work, but he's already the most complete player in the NBA.

As long as LeBron continues to evolve as a basketball player, the sky is truly the limit for him. I know it's still a little early, but there's a very good chance LeBron will be known as the greatest player to ever play in the NBA when it's all said and done.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Nick Friedell, "Dwyane Wade: LeBron can get better"