#NBAFinals: Will the Dubs REPEAT?

GSW: Your 2015 NBA Champs!
(from: Getty Images)

They led the NBA standings from Day 1 and they barely wavered from the top. They finished with the best record in franchise history at 67-15 and they were nearly unbeatable at the Oracle Arena during the regular season (39-2). The Warriors were hardly threatened as they made their way to the top of the NBA mountain as 2015 world champs. But that was last month and it's time to reflect if the Dubs can do this all over again for the upcoming season.

So, will the Warriors Repeat?

#NBAFinals: Help Wanted

No man is an island.
(Image by: Associated Press)

If you're reading this post, chances are, you watched most (if not all) of the 2015 NBA Finals. If that's the case, then you saw with your own two eyes the best player in the NBA. NO, he wasn't on the Golden State Warriors, and NO, he definitely was not the Finals MVP. He played for the losing team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. In most cases, he played alone.

This series went 6 games instead of a sweep for the Warriors. That was a small miracle. The Cavs were up 2-1 early and threatened to take control of the series because of LeBron James. If you are a Warriors' fan or supporter, you were probably worried that the Dubs might actually lose the finals. The series was close because of LBJ!

#NBA2015 Jordan Clarkson and Co. visit Manila

A lot of people visited the NBA Store to catch a glimpse of
Horace Grant, Trey Burke and Jordan Clarkson

Filipinos love basketball and that covers local basketball plus international ball, namely the NBA. Therefore, it was not a surprise that a lot of fans flocked the NBA Store in Glorietta, Makati City to catch a glimpse of the NBA players that visited Manila. The place was packed with fans, shoppers and media personnel. 

The mascot of the Charlotte Hornets, Hugo, also shared some of the spotlight 

Retired NBA-player Horace Grant (mostly known as a member of the Chicago Bulls during the 90s), Trey Burke of the Utah Jazz and Fil-Am rookie, Jordan Clarkson of the LA Lakers visited the Philippines over the weekend. They were joined by the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets, named Hugo, plus the OKC Thunder dancers (Sorry, no pictures of the dancers). 

#NBAPlayoffs: 2015 Conference Finals Preview

EASTERN CONFERENCE

It will take more than one guy to slow down LeBron James
(Image by: Getty Images)

(1) Atlanta Hawks vs (2) Cleveland Cavaliers 
Different team but almost the same results for LeBron James when it comes to reaching at least the Conference Finals. For the 5th straight year, LBJ will participate in the Eastern Conference Finals. While LBJ looks stronger than ever, his supporting cast isn't quite as invincible as he is. The Cavs' primary concern is their injury list. They cannot afford to add more bodies to that list. Kevin Love has been out since the 1st Round but the Cavs managed to move along without him. However, if Kyrie Irving misses a game or two (or more), then this series could be over in 4 games and the Hawks would be moving on to the Finals. Atlanta had the regular season series edge at 3-1 and they won those games by displaying balanced scoring from their starters and bench. The Hawks have the deeper team, so expect them to shuffle their lineup often to keep the Cavs off-balanced defensively. At the same time, having fresher legs allow them to run in transition more frequently which favors the Hawks because that could free up Kyle Korver to shoot uncontested threes. However, Korver has somewhat struggled in the postseason (39% now from 49% in the regular season). Still, the Cavs cannot wait for him to get hot because that guy is deadly.

#NBA2015: All-NBA Teams

The playoffs are already nearing the end of the 1st round and some individual awards were given out this past week. Hoopnut posted our individual picks last week. Take a look HERE.

Now, it's time to give credit to more players who performed extremely well during the regular season.

New team (again) but dominant as usual
(Image from: USA Today Sports)

All-NBA Teams 

1st Team
G - Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
G - James Harden, Houston Rockets
F - LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F - Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C - Marc Gasol. Memphis Grizzlies

#NBA2015: Awards Watch: Final Edition

The regular season is over and NBA playoffs are finally here!

It is time to acknowledge and honor those who had marvelous performances during the 82-game grind of the regular season. Without further ado, let me hand out the individual awards for the MVP. ROY, MIP, DPOY, Sixth Man and COY.   

Statistics used are up to April 16, 2015. 

If you would like to check the previous editions of the Awards Watch, here is the First Edition and Second Edition at your disposal.

Steph Curry has his sights on the MVP trophy