Back At It
That's right folks, after a long hiatus it's time to get back at it. It's been a while and I'm sure you've missed me just as much as I've missed you.
Just in case there's anyone left out there, how about those NBA playoffs? Seriously, some pretty good stuff going on and I'll tell you this - I think other than the Orlando/Detroit series we could see the other series go 7 games, especially out west. Seriously, if Boston never wins a game on the road and win their home games they'll be the champs.
Lakers:
Can't get into this without starting with the Lake-Show. You gotta think and expect that Utah definitely wins game 3 in Salt Lake, but the Lakers definitely let one get away on Sunday. Not sure if that's promising or not - given they had a less-than-100% Kobe and still had a chance to win it in OT, but at the end of the day it's 2-2 and not 3-1 and that's huge. I don't think anyone expects the Jazz to beat the Lakers in LA, but a must win is a must win.
At the end of the day that loss came down to the role players making needing to make just a handful more plays and they didn't....that and their atrocious free throw shooting. Honestly, free throws very well may have made the difference.
Look, no doubt the Jazz are good - they were in the Western Conference finals last year (avoiding Dallas) and they clearly have great players in Boozer and Williams. BUT, they don't have the depth and the offensive play making ability as the Lakers, but it's no illusion that the West is stacked and the Jazz aren't flashy, but they're tough. I think the Lakers have to be the pick here, but nothing would surprise me. I'm nervous about the game on Wednesday, no doubt. If Kobe isn't 95% healthy it may get real interesting - Gasol is going to need to really take over.
Spurs:
Much like 75% of these playoffs, I have nothing that leads me to believe the home team will lose a game and so logic would say that New Orleans is going to win game 5.....but those Spurs sure look good right now. I don't know if Duncan was really sick or whatever, but they looked dominant on Sunday. New Orleans has no chance if they continue to play like that. I think Popovich got tired of trying to shut down Paul (won't happen) and said screw it, I'll shut down Peja and West.
With that said, I do recall New Orleans absolutely spanking those defending champs the first two games in the Big Easy. Soooo, who the hell knows, but I imagine it will be decided in New Orleans and they have to feel good about that. The one thing the Spurs have going for them is experience - as this series progresses the pressure will mount and it certainly becomes more competitive - this Spurs team has been through that A LOT battling teams like the Mavs, Suns, Lakers, Kings, etc., etc. Should be interesting - I would love nothing more than for this to 7 games.
Random NBA Thoughts:
Just in case there's anyone left out there, how about those NBA playoffs? Seriously, some pretty good stuff going on and I'll tell you this - I think other than the Orlando/Detroit series we could see the other series go 7 games, especially out west. Seriously, if Boston never wins a game on the road and win their home games they'll be the champs.
Lakers:
Can't get into this without starting with the Lake-Show. You gotta think and expect that Utah definitely wins game 3 in Salt Lake, but the Lakers definitely let one get away on Sunday. Not sure if that's promising or not - given they had a less-than-100% Kobe and still had a chance to win it in OT, but at the end of the day it's 2-2 and not 3-1 and that's huge. I don't think anyone expects the Jazz to beat the Lakers in LA, but a must win is a must win.
At the end of the day that loss came down to the role players making needing to make just a handful more plays and they didn't....that and their atrocious free throw shooting. Honestly, free throws very well may have made the difference.
Look, no doubt the Jazz are good - they were in the Western Conference finals last year (avoiding Dallas) and they clearly have great players in Boozer and Williams. BUT, they don't have the depth and the offensive play making ability as the Lakers, but it's no illusion that the West is stacked and the Jazz aren't flashy, but they're tough. I think the Lakers have to be the pick here, but nothing would surprise me. I'm nervous about the game on Wednesday, no doubt. If Kobe isn't 95% healthy it may get real interesting - Gasol is going to need to really take over.
Spurs:
Much like 75% of these playoffs, I have nothing that leads me to believe the home team will lose a game and so logic would say that New Orleans is going to win game 5.....but those Spurs sure look good right now. I don't know if Duncan was really sick or whatever, but they looked dominant on Sunday. New Orleans has no chance if they continue to play like that. I think Popovich got tired of trying to shut down Paul (won't happen) and said screw it, I'll shut down Peja and West.
With that said, I do recall New Orleans absolutely spanking those defending champs the first two games in the Big Easy. Soooo, who the hell knows, but I imagine it will be decided in New Orleans and they have to feel good about that. The one thing the Spurs have going for them is experience - as this series progresses the pressure will mount and it certainly becomes more competitive - this Spurs team has been through that A LOT battling teams like the Mavs, Suns, Lakers, Kings, etc., etc. Should be interesting - I would love nothing more than for this to 7 games.
Random NBA Thoughts:
- Man, this Celtics/Cavs series is an absolute train wreck. Watching the last quarter on and off right now and I don't think either team has hit a shot in like 4 minutes. Boston has been underwhelming this post season thus far.
- Under 2 minutes to go in this game and Lebron just drove into the lane and threw down a nasty dunk - Garnett didn't even attempt to defend. That kid is good.
- It's nice to see D'Antoni has completely lost his mind. Hmmm....the Bulls, with more young talent than any team in the league...OR the Knicks? They've got roster issues; no one is going to take these teams unless they do a fire sale and start from scratch praying for the frozen envelope. Either way, they ain't winning for at least 3 years. Can't believe he took that job over the Bulls gig, I think he'll regret that.
- You all know that I am no Tony Parker fan - not at all. But, I don't see how they could keep him off of the All NBA Team altogether. He's better than Nash right now...by a mile.
- Carlisle to the Mavs huh? Interesting.
- Here's a question for you? Who saw James Posey's flagrant foul on Lebron James in game 3? He literally grabbed Lebron and pushed him down to keep him from getting an open dunk - it was the right call. Did you see Turiaf's flagrant on Sunday? They kicked him out of the game and he was going for the ball. The guy had a nasty fall, but it wasn't the foul, it was how he hit the ground (he was fine). Definitely worst call of the playoffs thus far - horrible call.
- Not sure if this classifies as NBA, but are the folks at USC out of their minds? This whole OJ Mayo thing, coming on the foothills of the Reggie Bush thing, is not at all going to be good for the university. I'm not sure, but this could result in getting rid of the AD and Tim Floyd. We'll see, but there certainly needs to be a whip cracked and an example made.
- I was reading an article about the power shift that may (or may not) be happening in the western conference and almost every "expert" had Portland up there based on the fact that Oden is going to play next season. Huh? This kid has done nothing except play one half of a college season. He can't play defense outside of 8 feet of the basket and all things being equal, he's missed over twice as much "playing time" as he's played over the last 2 years at the college and pro level. Let's settle down a bit with the Oden love fest - let's see what he can do first.
- Does anyone else think that a change of scenery for Cedric Benson may be best for both he and the Bears? He's certainly been a disaster (he was the #4 pick), but he's shown flashes of play-making abilities. This is not the reason, but he hasn't had a QB worth a squat his whole career. Either way, not sure if they can move him, but I'm sure someone would take a chance on him - I know he doesn't fit Shanahan's mold of RB, but I bet he could turn him around. The boating incident sounds pretty weird - I'll be honest, I don't think Cedric Benson has been the model citizen since he's been in high school, but this incident is certainly fishy.
- Nice win for Sergio Garcia on Sunday. Not a fan of his, but he made the play. That par 3 is ridiculous.
- Man, that Kentucky Derby ending was horrible - I couldn't believe that when I read it. I'm sure the PETA people threw a fit...jackasses.
- It's about time to see the Tigers get rid of Perrilloux - that was a no brainer. And man did Texas dodge a bullet there. That kid threw a whole lot of opportunity away.
- Two more bowls added to the mix in college football - these guys are getting dangerously close to over saturating this thing...this just may push it to the brink. With the rule that sub-.500 teams will not be considered for games (which is a good thing), some bowls may simply get hosed and not have a game. Will be interesting to see how that shakes out over the next few years - it's not likely, but certainly possible.
- What a ridiculous fiasco this Spygate BS has turned into - if I'm Goodell or Kraft I'm sending some guys over to rough up this Matt Wash tool. Thanks a pant load for wasting every one's time.
- Great Bill Simmons article on the downfall of the Suns (and the Seven Seconds or Less regime). http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080501
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 10:11 PM
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