Down Time
Well, it's official, the sports world is officially done until late July/early August when football reports to camps/2-a-days. And it's a good thing as I'm still recovering from that debacle of a Finals series - I figured I had better come up for air and face the music.
NBA Finals:
Yes, it literally pushes the bile to the tip of my throat to think of the Boston F'ng Celtics as the champs - especially without Bird and company. But, what can you say? They were clearly and unquestionably the better team. Make no mistake friends, 3 super stars (you're welcome Ray Allan, for the complement) are better than one and it gets especially nice when your bench/role players step up night in and night out as Boston's did.
It was so strange to see a Laker team do so well in a very tough Western pool, including easily knocking off the defending champs, and then struggle so poorly against Boston. Make no mistake about it - when you hear the talking heads talk about match up problems, his is exactly what they mean. Here are my thoughts on both teams looking ahead.
Boston:
Is it me or can you see Boston pulling a Detroit - winning a championship when very few were picking you to do so; going back to the finals the following year and losing; and then not getting back again. They're certainly capable of winning another one, no doubt, but I question the longevity of the big 3 - will they be as durable and as motivated?
Additionally, the Bulls will be much improved, the Cavs will continue to be a consistent contender, and Washington and Orlando continue to show signs of getting better. And besides, the safest bet in the NBA these days is that the Spurs will win it all every other year and that means next year is their year.
I'm still scratching my head at how Posey and House were able to be so effective - their shooting was ridiculous and it typically came when they needed it most - in other words, they stepped up.
Los Angeles:
The funny thing here is that you could say the same thing about the Lakers - they could very easily fade into the middle of the pack in an ever-improving Western Conference. Going into the finals you couldn't help but to think that this young team could start to pull a few championships together over the next 5 years. Now? I certainly wouldn't say that, not after that performance.
Here's the deal - the Lakers have zero physical and mental toughness other than you-know-who. And, I'm not so sure that Bynum is going to be a complete fix to the physicality issues - he'll certainly help, but he alone can't solve that issue, at least not this young into his career. I imagine a lot of teams out there took quite a few during the last 6 games - push 'em around. The biggest head scratcher is Lamar Odom - this dude is so good in the regular season and he just utterly disappeared in the finals. For someone as big and strong as he is to be so flat so consistently is beyond me. He's been very frustrating - more on him below.
What I find most disappointing is that they were on the business end of 2 record: biggest come back in finals history and biggest blowout in finals history - that is the delayed sting and the primary reason to question their mental and emotional toughness.
It's crazy because this is a young team that just went to the finals so why would you even think about changing anything? But, these finals exposed a lot of weaknesses and pretty good concerns. So the question is - do you attempt to replace and plug to fill those holes? Or do you hope for hard work and a mentality change over the off season? You know Kobe will start showing up at the gym at 5am on about August 1st, but will the other guys who actually need it be there? The good news is in addition to Bynum (who you hope to God is actually healed by next September) you've got Ariza who will be back 100% and ready to play a whole season - he brings added length and size...and he can hit the 3. My thoughts on the key players...
Kobe - Don't you know he's just fuming right now (still!). He did a good job of containing himself, but you just know he was pissed. He got dick in terms of consistent play or stepping up play from anyone on the team. He played against some hellacious defense and still put up 26 a game on 42% shooting. People criticize him all the time for having to sometimes take 26 shots to get 26 points, but sometimes it's more like he was ABLE to get 26 points on such poor shooting/good defense. There's a difference. Either way, the media and non-LA fans will always find a way to criticize him.
Gasol - I know he's out of position, but unfortunately him playing power forward won't make him any tougher or more aggressive. I'll take his 20-12-4 every game, but he's got to get better at defense. As happy as I was (and still am) that the Lakers got him, I was thoroughly disappointed in his performance against Boston. And I'm sorry, one good game isn't going to cut it.
Odom - This guy is so on the trading block. I think he's a free agent in another year so if they can get something tangible (and yes, salary cap relief is tangible - lakers are playing luxury taxes now) now they most definitely will.
Fisher - Always have and always will love Fish, but he was horrible. He's just getting old man. I'd like to see him stick around and maybe help groom Farmar. He's been good to the Lakers.
Farmar - Really need this guy to focus on being a true point guard. He's a great shooter and sometimes has a tendency to play more of a 2 guard (looking for the shot) instead of running the floor. I know, I know, triangle offense doesn't necessitate a true point guard like other offenses, but we still need a floor general.
Bynum - You have no idea how much expectation is about to piled onto your shoulders.
Random NBA Thoughts:
Are you kidding me?
PGA:
So unfortunately I saw a combined 15 minutes of Sunday's round of the US Open and that's it. The good news is I saw the final hole on Sunday. Here's one thing that really blows about the US Open - why in the world do you do an 18-hole playoff...ON MONDAY??? How many eyeballs missed most of it on Monday? That's really lame.
I know Tiger Woods is the end all, be all in golf (and sports), but do people really think the PGA will fall of the face of the map for the remainder of the year? The great thing about golf is you don't need great players to have great moments. I bet all the other major players will be ramping up their game to get hit that small window of opportunity for the final 2 majors this year. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) seeing Lefty pull out of his hole and start competing again. He's weird streaky.
And finally I'll end on this note - it's good to have AC again....2 weeks without it....that's all I'll say. Today is the first day of summer (could have fooled me), go outside until August, then we'll be ready to roll.
Enjoy the weekend - maybe I'll sneak in some mindless tirade about the NBA draft....and then again, maybe not.
NBA Finals:
Yes, it literally pushes the bile to the tip of my throat to think of the Boston F'ng Celtics as the champs - especially without Bird and company. But, what can you say? They were clearly and unquestionably the better team. Make no mistake friends, 3 super stars (you're welcome Ray Allan, for the complement) are better than one and it gets especially nice when your bench/role players step up night in and night out as Boston's did.
It was so strange to see a Laker team do so well in a very tough Western pool, including easily knocking off the defending champs, and then struggle so poorly against Boston. Make no mistake about it - when you hear the talking heads talk about match up problems, his is exactly what they mean. Here are my thoughts on both teams looking ahead.
Boston:
Is it me or can you see Boston pulling a Detroit - winning a championship when very few were picking you to do so; going back to the finals the following year and losing; and then not getting back again. They're certainly capable of winning another one, no doubt, but I question the longevity of the big 3 - will they be as durable and as motivated?
Additionally, the Bulls will be much improved, the Cavs will continue to be a consistent contender, and Washington and Orlando continue to show signs of getting better. And besides, the safest bet in the NBA these days is that the Spurs will win it all every other year and that means next year is their year.
I'm still scratching my head at how Posey and House were able to be so effective - their shooting was ridiculous and it typically came when they needed it most - in other words, they stepped up.
Los Angeles:
The funny thing here is that you could say the same thing about the Lakers - they could very easily fade into the middle of the pack in an ever-improving Western Conference. Going into the finals you couldn't help but to think that this young team could start to pull a few championships together over the next 5 years. Now? I certainly wouldn't say that, not after that performance.
Here's the deal - the Lakers have zero physical and mental toughness other than you-know-who. And, I'm not so sure that Bynum is going to be a complete fix to the physicality issues - he'll certainly help, but he alone can't solve that issue, at least not this young into his career. I imagine a lot of teams out there took quite a few during the last 6 games - push 'em around. The biggest head scratcher is Lamar Odom - this dude is so good in the regular season and he just utterly disappeared in the finals. For someone as big and strong as he is to be so flat so consistently is beyond me. He's been very frustrating - more on him below.
What I find most disappointing is that they were on the business end of 2 record: biggest come back in finals history and biggest blowout in finals history - that is the delayed sting and the primary reason to question their mental and emotional toughness.
It's crazy because this is a young team that just went to the finals so why would you even think about changing anything? But, these finals exposed a lot of weaknesses and pretty good concerns. So the question is - do you attempt to replace and plug to fill those holes? Or do you hope for hard work and a mentality change over the off season? You know Kobe will start showing up at the gym at 5am on about August 1st, but will the other guys who actually need it be there? The good news is in addition to Bynum (who you hope to God is actually healed by next September) you've got Ariza who will be back 100% and ready to play a whole season - he brings added length and size...and he can hit the 3. My thoughts on the key players...
Kobe - Don't you know he's just fuming right now (still!). He did a good job of containing himself, but you just know he was pissed. He got dick in terms of consistent play or stepping up play from anyone on the team. He played against some hellacious defense and still put up 26 a game on 42% shooting. People criticize him all the time for having to sometimes take 26 shots to get 26 points, but sometimes it's more like he was ABLE to get 26 points on such poor shooting/good defense. There's a difference. Either way, the media and non-LA fans will always find a way to criticize him.
Gasol - I know he's out of position, but unfortunately him playing power forward won't make him any tougher or more aggressive. I'll take his 20-12-4 every game, but he's got to get better at defense. As happy as I was (and still am) that the Lakers got him, I was thoroughly disappointed in his performance against Boston. And I'm sorry, one good game isn't going to cut it.
Odom - This guy is so on the trading block. I think he's a free agent in another year so if they can get something tangible (and yes, salary cap relief is tangible - lakers are playing luxury taxes now) now they most definitely will.
Fisher - Always have and always will love Fish, but he was horrible. He's just getting old man. I'd like to see him stick around and maybe help groom Farmar. He's been good to the Lakers.
Farmar - Really need this guy to focus on being a true point guard. He's a great shooter and sometimes has a tendency to play more of a 2 guard (looking for the shot) instead of running the floor. I know, I know, triangle offense doesn't necessitate a true point guard like other offenses, but we still need a floor general.
Bynum - You have no idea how much expectation is about to piled onto your shoulders.
Random NBA Thoughts:
- No one can deny that Pierce had a fantastic finals and was most certainly the deserving (only) MVP. BUT, unfortunately for him (yea, he cares), I will forever link him to one of the great soccer moves in basketball history. There's flopping and then there's this. He played really great, but that was still pretty weak.
- Saw a rumor about Ron Artest maybe to the Lakers. Uhhhh.....not sure about that one. He would most certainly fill a vacant need on the defensive end - with he and Kobe you'd have 2 of the top 6 or 7 defenders in the league in the back court. BUT....it's Ron Artest. Who knows, maybe he's settled down a bit. Makes me nervous, that's all...
- Read that Augustin had a great showing in Portland this week during his pre-draft workout. To quote, "I've been to everyone of Portland's 9 pre-draft workouts and no prospect has revealed a more polished, NBA-ready game than Augustin." Cha-Ching. That dude hasn't signed a contract yet and he's already making money.
- Thank you AJ Abrams, for sobering up - nice to have you back on the 40 acres next year. I'm sorry to say I don't think you'll be playing in the NBA after next year either, just too small.
- Huh - now Barkley is entering a celebrity poker tournament? After saying he would give up gambling? That didn't take long (about 2 months if I'm not mistaken). I like Big Chuck and I don't care if he gambles, but the media will be harsh on him.
- Damn shame about Ray Allan's daughter.
- There is no one, and I mean no one, who can dispute that European players lack the physical toughness of American/South American players - Dirk, Darko, Vujacic, Gasol, Radmanovic, etc., etc. They produce some great players, no doubt (Dirk, Gasol, Peja), but they there is a certain physical play that they just do practice across the pond. It is what it is.
Are you kidding me?
PGA:
So unfortunately I saw a combined 15 minutes of Sunday's round of the US Open and that's it. The good news is I saw the final hole on Sunday. Here's one thing that really blows about the US Open - why in the world do you do an 18-hole playoff...ON MONDAY??? How many eyeballs missed most of it on Monday? That's really lame.
I know Tiger Woods is the end all, be all in golf (and sports), but do people really think the PGA will fall of the face of the map for the remainder of the year? The great thing about golf is you don't need great players to have great moments. I bet all the other major players will be ramping up their game to get hit that small window of opportunity for the final 2 majors this year. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) seeing Lefty pull out of his hole and start competing again. He's weird streaky.
And finally I'll end on this note - it's good to have AC again....2 weeks without it....that's all I'll say. Today is the first day of summer (could have fooled me), go outside until August, then we'll be ready to roll.
Enjoy the weekend - maybe I'll sneak in some mindless tirade about the NBA draft....and then again, maybe not.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 2:07 PM
1 comments
