With the playoffs done, and the Lakers out, looks like Shaq is going to add his 2 cents on what he thinks of Kobe’s performance. While I had the lakers winning the series in 6, I’m glad that Garnett was able to get himself a ring. Anyways Sarpanch Sahib this videos directed at you, and your man Kobe.

BTW Police ball tourny is this weekend so check that out, more details on that in the next minute..

Looks like Sarpanch Sion and company got recognized up on RealGM, the Toronto Sun and Vakeeel Sahib’s very own lobby group (FireSamMitchell.com).

Got to hand it to sarpanch sahib and his pind for making The Toronto Star and Global TV last year, and and Sun this year. Seems like the Pindu’s are making a real go at Bhatia’s super fan status.

In response to the Sarpanch’s NBA Playoffs East & West picks here they are.

Firstly gotta start with the East because like Bigs said, “If I got to choose a coast I got to choose the East…I live out there, so don’t go there”

East

Celtics - 4 Games
Cavs - 6 Games
Pistons - 4 Games
Raptors - 6 Games

West

Lakers - 6 Games
Jazz - 7 Games
Hornets - 7 Games
Suns - 6 Games

The West without saying will be insane, every series possible is worthy of a conference final in the past. As for the east I think we’ll be looking at a Celtics, Piston domination.

For bonus points I’m giving the finals to the Celtics, even though I’d much rather see the Suns come out on top. If they can’t do it this year, I don’t see them being able to do it in the next 5, at least not with there current who have been making runs at the big show for the last 4 years.

Straight from the pind, at the bequest of Sarpanch Sahib, (meaning if you’re unhappy with whats written below complain about it to him)

So check it. Every year we do a Fantasy League and for the most part it’s pretty fun. My main man Shinda was the commish last year and made it open to the public and I’m gonna continue that trend. Last year Tejdeep ended up winning it and I came in 3rd after a disappointing showing in the playoffs but nevertheless, I’m back and looking for the championship. So heads up Tejdeep, yous a marked man.

Click here to login to Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball

League ID: 13234

League Password: gagan

League Draft Time: Thursday October 18th - 2007 @ 11:00pm

League Settings:

Stat Categories: FG%, FT%, 3PTM, PTS, REB, AST, ST, BLK, TO

Roster Positions: G, G, F, F, C, Utility, Bench, Bench, Bench, Bench

If this is you’re first time joining a fantasy league, just follow the simple directions below to register a team.

1) After clicking on the link above, click “Sign Up Now”

2) Click “Join League”

3) Click “Join Custom”

4) Enter League ID & League Password

5) Follow the instructions to add your team

Ite, there it is. I expect to see most of you in the league… that is, if you got the balls to join it.

There’s nothing more impressive in sports, and that shows more character, then when a player sticks up for another teammate. There’s no better way to get the fans behind you then showing them that you’re there for the team and not yourself. Just that listen you can foul me all day, but you touch my boy and its on mentality, not only makes the fans respect you that much more, but it goes to help solidify that notion that the team really is one cohesive unit. 

Maybe that’s why when seeing Ford come to the aide of Bosh and get into it with Bogut you can’t help but to get goose bumps crawl up and down your spine. After all this is the second time this season when we have really seen the Raptors act as a team, in the I really got your back sense. Just like the time when we saw Garbojosa all distraught and actually worried when his boy Calderon hit the floor those many games ago. Or the way the team rallies behind Bargnani when he’s playing his game giving the young rook from over seas the confidence he needs to know he’s part of a team that’s behind him.

Or maybe all that is just an after thought, a consequence of playing some of the best basketball this franchise has ever known, that when loosing to top teams everyone wonders how we let such games get away. But even more amazing is how quickly everyone has rallied behind a team when just last year the thought of being playoff bound and even possibly playoff contenders would have been laughed at by all serious sports analysts and writers. But whatever it is, its working, and its refreshing to see, lets just hope it carries on.

Another all-star game has come and gone, and hands down this was one of the better all star weekends in a while. The skills comp was buzzing, the dunk off wasn’t near as boring [thank God for the 2 minute rule], and this had to have been one of the best 3 point competitions in a long while.

With all that said, I got to dedicate this to #15, Vince Carter. Recently Sarpanch Gagan called me out regarding the last video I posted about Carter and how the fans feel about him, and again how I still think Carter is one greats. See in all likeness Carter may not receive a Hall Of Fame award of any real acclaim other then for his ability to dunk. Apart from that he may not set or win any records, titles, or even championships. All the same any and every highlight video you see of him will show him in a Raptors uniform.

Anyone who denies Carter’s talent really needs to go back and re-watch some “vintage” Raptor match ups. This guy did everything he could for us. In places like Cinci, we weren’t known as the Toronto Raptors we were known as Vince’s team, he literally carried this team on his back for his tenure as a Raptor. None the less his lack of heart, (I blame it on his Mom who has never seemed to let him be his own man), is what really hurt us. Then again if you look at it this guy shouldered an entire team, a struggling team, all on his own, sooner or later something had to give.

So apart from the coaching staff, and upper management and their lack of direction or focus what more could a player who wants to go somewhere do? What is the point in trying, when you’re surrounded by a franchise who had no vision or goal for success? The Raptor’s didn’t flop because Carter didn’t give it his all 24/7. They flopped because there was no direction or goal, and if that’s not there then why keep breaking ankles or making high light reels night in and night out? Sure you get paid to do a job, but this is a TEAM game, and by no means of the imagination was Carter ever the weakest link on the Raptors, yet to make that link just seems a bit unfair. Fair enough he wasn’t a leader either, but then again he openly admitted he isn’t the type to take lead, he isn’t the type to make the decisions, it was a role that the franchise put on him that he never wanted, so why are we going to continually dog on him for that? Because he ended up being exactly what he said wasn’t, a non-leader?

See unlike most I don’t regret ever having Carter nor do I disagree with the fact that Raptors fans have a right to hate on him, he has said and done some stupid things in the past. At the same time he wasn’t near as bad as everyone makes him out to be. As far as Carter’s continued stupidity, I think that has as much to do with us always egging him on and not moving on ourselves. After all It’s been 2 years now, we got new direction, new players and we for once have a leader to actually lead this team, so lets get over it.

None the less here’s a clip I’mma steal from Bhagauti :

Its hard to believe it’s already that time of year, it seems like just yesterday when I was protesting Nate Robinson winning the dunk competition. None the less tomorrow marks the start of All Star weekend, so I thought maybe I would set my predictions now, giving those of you interested enough to post your own sometime to chime in.

Rookie Challenge: I got the Rookies. I’mma put my faith in this years batch or rook’s. The sophomores have been ruling things for the last 5 years now, and I’m sure Vegas is behind the sophomores, but I’m counting on Bargnani, Gay, and Garbo to hold it down and deliver the win.

Dunk Competition: If only the judges were the ones doing the dunking then maybe I’d be excited about this years competition, but they’re no so we’re left to pick from the scraps we got. Nate Robinson is easily the greatest dunker in this years competition, but if he has to take 30 attempts to accomplish a single dunk then by no means does he deserve to win. Howard is a ferocious dunker, but he just doesn’t get high enough to perform the air time acrobatics that make a great dunk. Thomas I just don’t see him having the creativity to wow the masses. Leaving Green as the only real hope, and personally out of spite for Nate I’m going to go with him to take it this year. This kid enjoys dunking, and he does it well, and if we are to believe all those inspirational quotes that we hear growing up, then my money’s on this kid to take it, in other words, Green is my pick for Dunk King 2007.

Skills Competition: I’m divided on who to pick, Lebron or Wade. It’s not that I don’t think Kobe can win, I just don’t think Kobe wants to win. Come all star weekend he’s all about seeming like one of the guys and I think he does what he can to come across as being a nice and humble guy who isn’t possessed by the demon that pushes him to be the greatest basketball player in the history of the game. As for Lebron, he is the King for a reason, but Wade is Wade, and that laid back swagger he carries himself with may just lead him to reigning supreme once again. As far as Paul, he could possibly pull it off also, but seeing as how I’m not all that familiar with his game nor have I really watched him, I just dont feel comfortable enough putting any hope into him, although everyone’s favourite candidate thinks otherwise.

Shooting Stars: Does anyone really care about this? Get rid of this and get more people in the dunk comp.

3 Point Shoot-out: Due to the dunk comp’s downfall the 3 point shootout is usually the main thing I look forward to watching all star weekend and this year my money is on Jason Terry. This is the year Nortwitzki retires his crown and passes the the thrown to his boy. Gilbert scored 9 points in a game that he called out and said he’s scoring 50; the equivalent of The Babe pointing to the heavens but getting struck out. Damon Jones, yea he’s a non factor.

The Race: Bavetta. Charles it fat, and out of shape, too bad the local sarpanch disagrees.

So there you have it. Now go wild and cut up my predictions or post your own or even check how my picks compare against Sarpanch Gagan’s whatever makes you happy.