Get a Grip

Real quick...

So I can't tell you how many times I've heard this in the last two days: "The Suns are in trouble, game 2 is a must win for them". Heard the same thing about the Mavs. 

Settle down talking heads - it's a 7-game series, not a 5 game series. The home team is "supposed" to win their games so let's not pretend that the visiting team absolutely HAS to steal home court. To all the "experts" out there thinking the Suns are done, let's check back in a week when it's very conceivable the series will be tied 2-2. 

On the flip side, I think the Rockets are done - they'll be out in 4 games. The difference is Houston had home court advantage and lost BOTH home games. That absolutely can't happen. 

Other quick hit thoughts:

• Although the same above logic can be applied to the Mavericks, I think they have more concerns. They have absolutely nothing to counter Chris Paul who is playing like he's got 10 years of playoff experience - unbelievable. If the MVP voting included first round of playoffs he may be a shoe-in.
• Should the Mavs get ousted in this first round, and it appears likely, Avery Johnson will be fired pretty quick. I like the guy a lot and he's got some good experience in his first head coaching gig, but he clearly can't get this team over the hump - ever since being up      2-0 against the Heat in the finals and losing 4 straight they haven't been the same team. They are truly soft. 
• I bet you Shaq is reminding his teammates about the time in 2002 when the Lakers won their 3rd championship - they were down to the Spurs 0-2 before coming back to win in 6. 
• Is it me or does it seem that Tracy McGrady has become so accustomed to the "can't win in the playoffs" label that he almost expects it? He carries that label around with him and becomes a different player in the playoffs. Weird because he's an uber-talented player. 
• Dwight Howard is putting up ridiculous numbers: 20 and 20 in 2 straight games. We'll see what happens when he crosses the border. 
• And so much for the Wiz/Cavs series being as good as advertised (by me) - memo to folks who don't pay much attention to the lowly eastern conference (like me), Lebron is real good. He's literally beating the Wizards all by himself. 
• Half way through the first round of games and already one of the better playoffs I can remember in a few years. 

Lakers game 2 tonight (too damn late). Enjoy.