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Randy Boyd’s first three novels have been
nominated for a total of four Lambda Literary Awards. His next novel
is Walt Loves the Bearcat, a story of love and football.
More about Randy. If Looks Could Win
By
Randy Boyd
No matter. The NBA is doing well, having survived the brawl, avoided the steroid scandal, and announced their best attendance figures in years, even with the Bobcats on the schedule. Kobe, LeBron, and a short run by the Rockets withstanding, the playoffs are here. Here now, Ballin’s fifth annual If Looks Could Win the Playoffs, where we size up the NBA postseason in the looks and talent department, then let you fill in your own ... dream team. EAST: Miami-New Jersey Talent: Vince Carter and Jason Kidd are headed for nice careers, but Shaq and Dwyane Wade are destined for those all-time greatest filler shows that keep popping up on the sports cable networks. Looks: Vince Carter and Jason Kidd get the job done, but Shaq and Dwyane Wade are too good underneath and from long range. Philadelphia-Detroit Talent: Iverson and C-Webb are in the Carter and Kidd category. Great players but unproven as champions, playing champions still hungry for more championships. Looks: Any team with Chris Webber is destined for glory. Boston-Indiana Talent: Closer than in the past, but if you included the entire roster, Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest, plus Reggie Miller would win hands down. Looks: Boston’s Marcus Banks and Indiana’s Fred Jones down the stretch in a long, grueling, hard fought series of dates, er, games. Chicago-Washington Talent: Close but Jamison, Hughes, and Arenas are names that will be heard in the playoffs for years. Looks: Closer, but Harrington and Davis make Chicago a little more bullish. WEST: Memphis-Phoenix Talent: Nash, Stoudemire, Marion, the list goes on. Grizzlies scorched in this department. Looks: Nash, Johnson, Stoudemire, the list goes on. Grizzlies scorched again. Nuggets-Spurs Talent: Maybe in 15 years, if Anthony plays as well as LeBron and Wade combined, he’ll be as good as Duncan. Looks: It’s official: Earl Boykins is cute, all five-five of him. Kings-Sonics Talent: Ray Allen is that good. Bobby Jackson is hurt as per usual. Looks: Luke Ridnour edges the old guy, Peja Stojakovic. Rockets-Mavericks Talent: If they’re so evenly matched, why are many predicting a Mavs run? Keep trying, Houston. Looks: Is it the facial hair or is Dirk Nowitzki just getting better with age? Then again, when you’ve got Tracy McGrady ... And the winners are .... Talent: Shaq, Wade and the Heat re-write the History of the Lakers, the Phil Jackson Years by winning a title and shedding more light on who was most important: Shaq, Kobe or Phil. Looks: Shaquille O’Neal. Still the most lovable lug in the league. Randy's Outsports archive |
No
truth to the rumor ABC and the NBA were considering a contest called
Win a Date Watching the Playoffs with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
But then again, didn’t they deny plans to show the Houston Rockets
42 times next year on national television?