Wild First Round (And I Don't Mean the Draft)

I swear, the first round of the NBA playoffs goes on for like 6 weeks. Lots of good basketball in the last few weeks - especially for this Laker fan, only sweep in the first round. Here are my thoughts on the NBA playoffs, NFL draft, and other random crap.

Never Ending Playoffs:

• Chris Paul, in his first ever playoff series, drops a triple-double on Dallas to close them out in 5 games. That dude is for real - will be very interesting to see how he does against (likely) a much faster/quicker Tony Parker. Either way, Paul is pretty damn good.
  
• About those Mavs: I was never in favor of the Kidd trade - the up side was much higher with Harris. Not sure if they would have won with Harris, but I think this team may need a shakeup. I would bet a lot of money that Avery Johnson will be gone within a month. I'm honestly not sure Dirk can carry the load of "franchise guy" - he's definitely good, but there's a certain intangible something he just doesn't have (think Garnett, Lebron, Kobe...this year at least, Paul, etc.). Will be interesting to see what happens in Big D over the off season...not a very good showing this off season.
• I'll say it again - Chris Paul dropped a triple-double in an elimination game...in his first ever playoffs. Very impressive.
  
• I'm routing for Houston to pull the victory tonight and extend the series - give those Lakers plenty of rest. Assuming Utah takes the series (eventually), will be a MUCH different series. Utah plays pretty good defense which Denver obviously did not. I still don't think Utah can beat LA in a 7-game series, but they will put up a very tough fight. The Lakers are playing very well as team - although their lapses in transition defense are quite maddening (how many freaking layups did Denver get in the 2nd quarter on Monday). Kobe is sharing the ball, players are knocking down the shots and Kobe is proving he is relentless in the fourth quarter of a game - they're a very tough out....at least right now.
  
• I don't think anyone believes for a second that the Hawks will upset the Celtics in the series, but damn....very surprising. Atlanta is just taking it to them which has been pretty entertaining (of the combined 20 minutes of the last two games I've seen). I look for Boston to crush them at home.
• I'd think I'd like to see Phoenix make this series interesting - I can't imagine them firing the coach, who in the world would they go get? I think Steve Kerr has to give D'antoni a full off season/season with Shaq to get the game plan settled. With that said, they need to go get a "dirty work" guy to play defense - that was the biggest loss with Marion, he played great defense. I bet that $40 million over the next 2 years is going to go down pretty hard for the Shaq-Daddy.
  
• If you need proof that talent alone doesn't equate to success, look no further than the Denver Nuggets. How is this team not completely dominating? Iverson is still one of the top point guards in the league and Carmelo is a phenomenal talent (although one of the biggest chicken-s*&t thugs in the league). Not sure if Karl will be there, but I imagine they may look to move Anthony and get what they can for him - I think his value is going to be at a low point after this post season.
  
• I know it's legal and I know it makes sense - and I'd probably do it too if I were a coach. BUT, I really hate the Hack-a-Shaq approach. I really hope the NBA "outlaws" this tactic. It's not like it will affect the "fabric of the game", when Shaq retires it will be a moot point. Anyway, I hate it and think it's pretty ghetto, but it works.
  
• Back to the Suns and D'Antoni - I wonder if the front office is at all concerned about the development of Amare Stoudemire. He's obviously one of the most freakish athletes in the league, but his development hasn't been evident - especially these playoffs. He's getting his points, but I'd like to see him be more of a beast on the boards. Think Dwight Howard - no reason why Amare couldn't be doing that (at least more than he does). He's still pretty young and has time to develop, but it's gotta be a consideration.
  
• How classic is it that Isiah Thomas, in his "new role", is banned from interacting with the players? That should give you some indication of his stellar people skills....that and the recent sexual harassment suit he just lost.
  
• And finally, have to just highlight this - after disappearing in the 3rd quarter last night, Kobe scored 15 points in the final 6 minutes of the game to close it out, including several free throws. He's dominant.
  

NFL Draft:

• Look, who the hell knows...I don't, but I do have a few thoughts/observations.
  
• Here's what I do know - running back is one of the easiest positions to fill/stop-gap. So why has Tennessee insisted on drafting a running back in each of their last 3 first-round picks? That's INSANE!!!! You have zero (literally) receivers. You need help at linebacker. You need help on the offensive line....and you draft ANOTHER running back? I like Fisher, I really do, but you have to wonder if Vince Young's patience will start to run out - I think he can opt out after this year. Don't get that logic one bit. Still don't know why they didn't get Limas Sweed a shot; I know he's a second-round guy, but for them it was worth the investment - hell, VY threw to him for 2 years.
• If I'm Darren McFadden and when I hear my name called by the Oakland Raiders the first thing I would do is lower my head and quietly whisper to myself, "son of a bitch". Before we get too excited about Oakland's chances let's remember one thing - neither Russell nor McFadden have much experience at the pro level...on a bad team. They could be a fun team to watch this year with Lane Kiffin running the show, but then again, they could continue to suck.
  
• Dallas loves those aggies - the Cowboys drafted uber athlete Martellus Bennett out of College Station. These guys a great athlete and should be a service-able player - if he has a career like Dat Nguyen I think he's be quite happy.
  
• Jamaal Charles to KC is interesting - he should definitely get an opportunity for significant playing time, I just question his durability at this level.
  

That's what I got folks - not sure when I'll have another post so until then....