2009 NBA Finals Open Thread
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 2:16 AM PDT
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Intro: Interior of Kobe and Lebron’s apartment, empty
Shot of the front door as sounds of keys entering the lock.
Enter Lebron Muppet, calling "Kobe, I’m home." He waits for a response for a second before looking around.
Montage of Lebron muppet wandering through the apartment calling Kobe’s name.
Finally Lebron sees a note on the table.
Close up of note, "Lebron- Gone to NBA finals, back in 2 weeks. -Kobe"
Lebron muppet hangs his head sadly. Fade out.
Onto the Finals.
Orlando (follow them on Third Quarter Collapse, the SBN Magic blog): I was living in Orlando back in 1995 when the Magic last made it back to the Finals, led by an explosive center and a bunch of swing men who could shoot triples. Ultimately, they ran into a team with championship pedigree and more skilled center.
Flash-forward 14 years and they face a similar situation. But not quite. Howard might not be quite as polished on the offensive end as Shaq was, but his defensive game is certainly up to par, he kept LeBron James out of the paint for most of the series and forced him to take tough jumpers, and in Game 6 he wrecked his way to the Finals (40 points, 14 rebounds, a performance that will go unheralded unless Orlando wins it all). He probably won't have his way with Gasol (who battled him to a standstill in the Olympic play) or Bynum (much more athletic on the block, although absent-minded defensively), but he still should be the better center.
For those who haven't watched the Magic this season, their offense is predicated on more than just 3s. It's ball movement, penetration, kick, rotate it to the open man. It's disturbingly Spurs like in its efficiency, although unlike Duncan, Howard isn't always the focus of the Magic offense; their forwards, Lewis & Turkogulu have their own offensive talents (Hedo, their SF, often has as many assists as the Magic's point guards; Rashard can post up and shoot 3s). Add in former Warrior swingman Mickael Pietrus, rookie Courtney Lee, Skip To My Lou Rafer Alston, the recently reactivated Jameer Nelson (who killed LA in the regular season), and you have a very scary offensive team if the 3 ball gets going. Every one of Orlando's guards/forwards can slash, drive and kick. They're a surprisingly efficient team, quite different from the '95 Magic too (that was a team purely built on youthful exuberance).
LA Lakers (follow them on Silver Screen and Roll, the SBN Laker blog): This is arguably Kobe Bryant's last chance to win a title as The Man. He's wrapping up his thirteenth season in the league. He's played over 1120 games in the league, more than MJ during his entire career as a Bull. The slippage starts now, and soon the team totally belongs to Gasol or Bynum (this is a big if, the likelier bet is Gasol) the way it belonged to Shaq. Bryant would again become the second option, and he would be doomed to deal with the fact (even if he won more rings) that he could never win a title as
The key to this series is how quickly the Lakers get into their offensive sets and establish themselves with Gasol getting that ball on the block in the Triangle offense, how much Kobe can play off of it, how well Odom and Ariza can finish, and how Fisher, Farmar, Vujacic and Brown can nail down open jumpers. The offense has to run through Pau; if he sees that ball late in the shot clock, if the ball stays hung out on the perimeter, than the Lakers can expect to get torpedoed. Lee & Pietrus are not even close to being Battier and Artest, but they can keep Kobe in front of him and force him to take jumpers (as can Howard if Kobe drives). However, if Pau has it, things become much easier offensively.
Now, if Lamar Odom plays like Odom at his best for four games, the Lakers are getting their rings. But none of us are expecting that--LA should be happy if they get two and hope Kobe and Pau can win them two more. The Lakers do have the size to compete with the Magic's forwards in Ariza and Odom, but they also can fall asleep on closing out at the three point line (their two losses to the Rockets post-Yao a good example).
If I had to pick, it's probably the Lakers, because Orlando, despite their monumental success, would not have gotten here if KG got injured. They got here a year early and they might play like it; the urgency isn't quite there like it is for Los Angeles and Bryant. Dwight Howard is 23 and will be back. Who knows how many more times we'll be able to say that about Kobe.
Finally there's no Leon Powe or Francisco Elson to latch onto this season for Cal fans. So we're just going to have to resort to an old fashioned hate-fest.
via neswsports.com
FARMAR!!!! Curse you and your Jew-fro (god I want a Jew-fro)!
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.
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If LA stays home and lets Dwight try to beat them, they’ll win. If they try to double Dwight and is forever rushing to close out on shooters Turkey, Frenchie and Lewis – they’ll lose. I should be an NBA coach. Dwight won’t score more than 40 with his primative post moves. He ain’t no Dream, nor Shaq (circa 1995-2002) nor even Yao on offense. He’s a pick-and-roll, offensive rebound putback MONSTER, but on the block, he couldn’t even score on Kendrick Perkins with regularity (I saw a stat that he was 7-25 on post-ups on Perk who single convered him)
I am not very big on Bynum – but between Bynum and Mgengba – if they just stay behind Dwight and not let him run wild on offensive boards and alley-oops – I really don’t see Dwight killing them they way he did Cleveland. He doesn’t need to be double teamed.
Well let’s give some credit to Perk, who might be one of the top 5 defensive centers in the NBA. Bynum ain’t that, nor is Gasol. They are alright on defense (and that’s when their effort is into it). Orlando would be delighted if they threw Mbenga out there, because he’s pretty much an offensive liability.
Phil never double teams. He threw Rodman on Shaq, O’Neal got his 40, but the Bulls swept the Magic. He put Horry on C-Webb, who struggled to finish games and the Lakers eeked out the Kings. I expect we’ll see Bynum, then Pau, then (maybe) some Mbenga, but it’s up to those two to stop the onslaught.
Now, Jameer’s return makes the Magic very interesting. He might not play well early on, but if he can slash and drive on Brown and Farmar he will make LA’s lives very miserable, because they will always be reacting to what Orlando is trying to do on offense.
Keep in mind that the Magic love to screen and roll…and Phil Jackson-coached teams always struggle with screen and roll (this one especially because of how much they like to overhelp).
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 3:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Jameer Nelson is probably out for the series
Thought it was weird they’d rush him back after being out for so long. A torn labrum is a tough tough injury to come back from.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions
Didn’t make any sense to wreck the chemistry they’ve got going. Sounds like they’re taking the smart route.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Well well
I guess it can’t hurt. Tyronn Lue wasn’t going to do much except gawk anyway.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Nelson is playing well (and he's on the court!)
and that was a WICKED drop step from Dwight for the foul.
He WAS playing well. Why on Earth did he play the entire second quarter? Fisher was beating him on layups and drives.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions
If I were Orlando, I’d be happy with Kobe taking 18 shots and 0 free throws at halftime. If he beats you that way, you shake his hand and get ready for Game 2. Orlando just has to move faster on their screen and roll game, be a little bit more liberal with Jameer (4-5 minute spurts each half) and rotate in Rafer and AJ, and keep on driving that ball. A little bit too reliant on the jump shot so far.
THIS JUST IN
Earth revolves around sun!
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
by BearStage on Jun 4, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
SHOCKING BUT TRUE
Clippers fail to make NBA Playoffs!
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
by BearStage on Jun 4, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Haha well played fellas.
Rec’s all around!
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Not much Dwight could've done
Orlando could not hit anything tonight, jumpers, 3 pointers, layups, nothing. The Lakers didn’t straight up double team Dwight, but they congested the lane and collapsed on him when it was clear no one else on Orlando could hit the net.
I’m going to take the glass half-full approach for the Magic. First of all, the Lakers get complacent. They are so talented, so efficient, so destructive on offense when they’re running their sets that they look totally unstoppable; when Bryant and Odom on their game, doubly so. And sometimes they sort of ride that train and lose their edge that it takes the other team beating them to get it back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Orlando storm back to take Game 2, and certainly if the three ball gets stroking it frees up Howard to wreck more inside (Bynum, Pau and Odom flirted with foul trouble, didn’t really matter though).
That being said…Orlando sure can’t play like that again.
Oh yeah
I really don’t know how I feel about Black Mamba’s performance (otherworldly as usual). Maybe it’s that awful Laker crowd he plays in front of. Anyone get the sense you were watching a grand Shakespeare play, except it was being performed at your local VFW? Those guys get excited about NOTHING. Nevertheless, art is art.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 10:17 PM PDT reply actions
Who were those people sitting to the left of Nicholson. They looked greasy and full of evil intentions about women.
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
They are all witnesses.
Jokes aside, that’s what it is. I mean, the Lakers have a strong fan base, I wouldn’t call it awful. Even in down years (read: Nick Van Exel), fans are damn loyal. LA may not be a football town, but it’s definitely a basketball town. When they’re in the playoffs, in the Finals – it’s almost holy to some fans. Lakers fans have a sense of history, more than most. No other team, save the Celtics, has a pedigree like the Lakers do. When you watch the next greatest come along, especially when you’ve seen the last greatest, and the greatest before that – it’s a different experience. They are all witnesses.
More than that, it’s just incredible to watch Kobe when he’s in that mode. Hitting shots he has no business making, but also being a great all-around player (blocks, assists, rebounds). This is Kobe Bryant – arguably the greatest player in the world, in his prime, in his element, taking over a game like no one else can. The fans realize that they are watching basketball history unfold before their eyes. They’re gonna tell their grandkids about the time they saw Kobe Bryant, one of the all-time greats, drop 40 in Game 1 of the Finals. They are all witnesses.
I’m sorry, but whatever Nike says, LeBron just isn’t there yet. He hasn’t established the cult that Kobe has – not yet. He’s hasn’t been tested by fire, forged in the flames of tough playoff battles and emerged victorious. He doesn’t yet have that steely, ice-in-his-veins mentality that Kobe does. Is LeBron really really really good? Yes. Is he one of the greats? Not yet. Will he get there? Oh my lord, YES. But he’s not even in his physical prime yet, much less at his toughest mentally. He’ll get stronger, he smarter, he’ll get savvier, and he will be one of the all-time greats, I believe that. But not yet. The point is: for all that LeBron will be one day, Kobe is right now. The next Laker all-time great in a long line of Laker all-time greats. The fans know it, and they understand what that means. They are all witnesses.
Anyways… that’s my take on why they get so excited.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
I think 29 of 30 points to win the game counts as a tough playoff battle where you emerge victorious. That’s just me though…
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 4, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions
There's a difference . .. that I don't think LeBron quite has yet
Kobe is willing to rip his opponent’s heart straight out his chest and step on his neck. I don’t think LeBron is quite quite quite there yet. It’s not a bad thing, but players really need to suffer the pain of losing big (well except Magic) before winning it all. Bird lost to Magic. Pistons lost to Celtics. Bulls lost to Pistons. I think the LeBronettes time starts next year.
Actually, Bird won the title in 81 the year after Magic won as a rook. Lucky fellows, those two.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 5, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Let’s keep in mind he can play that great because Gasol is down low and Howard can’t play off the pick and roll as much as he’d like. One of the big problems LeBron had was that there was no one he could go to inside.
However, UNLIKE Chosen One, Kobe didn’t hesitate. No dribbles, just drive, drive, drive. In previous series it looked like he held back a lot more because he wanted to make sure he had something for the end. And it just angers me more why Coach Brown didn’t unleash Lebron on a fast break once in that series. I hate NBA coaches.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 5, 2009 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions
That's just it - having help makes you greater.
There are two kind of greats – the kind with rings, and the kind without.
This is something that has been talked about SO much lately with LeBron vs. Kobe and it’s really a ridiculous conversation. People are talking about “Kobe needs to prove he can do it without Shaq” etc etc. That, to me, is utter crap. Magic Johnson is one of the greatest ever, no one disputes that. No one knocks him for having teams full of All-Stars: Kareem, Worthy, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, forget about it. No one knocks Shaq for having Kobe and D-Wade. No one knocks Isaiah for having Laimbeer and Dumars. And on and on and on.
Charles Barkley never had great help – no ring. Reggie Miller never had great help – no ring.
But there’s the rare third group – great help, no ring. I speak, of course, of The Mailman and the Pasty Gangsta. Personally, growing up a Lakers fan, I’m glad those dirty bastards never got a ring ;-)
Avinash is right – Kobe was allowed to play that great because he had help. But that’s part of what makes the greats great. Hell, even Jordan wouldn’t have won 6 rings without Pippen. Oh, he still would have won some rings – but not 6, not by himself. Having great help isn’t just about rings, it’s about that great player too. Lebron will never be as great as he can be until he gets some help.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Without Pippen?
Jordan would have won zero rings, maybe, maybe one. These things don’t happen by coincidence.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 5, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
It wasn’t just Pippen. Horace Grant was a pretty solid player. Dennis Rodman was excellent at what he did. BJ Armstrong, John Paxson, and Steve Kerr were all great at punishing when teams helped on Jordan. The Bulls teams were able to find great complimentary players.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Yeah, but Pippen consistently guarded the best perimeter player on the opposing team, a task always burnt out Jordan by the end of the season. Before Scottie emerged the Bulls were an average defensive team, by 1991 they were the league’s best.
They could not have won those titles without Scottie.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 5, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree, I was just trying to steer away from absolutes.
Pippen was an incredible player, and just made Jordan that much better.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Oh, let me give credit
To the Laker D, which was much better than Cleveland’s D in adjusting to Howard and forcing the Magic into rushed passes into 3s in uncomfortable spots. Orlando did miss a lot of open shots, but LA did have something to do with the blowout.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 4, 2009 11:04 PM PDT reply actions
Haha, looks like Nike also did have a backup plan.
That Howard commercial is legend.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 5, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
OMG did they actually air that?
a) damn, i missed it!
b) wow, I didn’t think they’d air something like that! Hilarious!
c) Well, it’s on LeBron’s YouTube channel, so I guess that answers that!
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
I think it was aired locally in LA
In the pregame. It’d be awesome if they showed that nationally.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 6, 2009 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Lil Wayne just dropped a track called "Kobe Bryant" - it's pretty good!
Apparently recorded last night (Wed. night – Wayne works fast!)
Check it out, it’s pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxvwK99hpmY
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
I Just Watched the game via DVR
Kobe was great, but had to expend a lot of energy, I wonder if he will have the stamina to perform this way throughout the series.
The Magic missed a lot of makeable shots, I don’t think they shoot this poorly again.
Nelson dominated for 4 minutes (tearing apart Farmar), but he is not in game shape and it showed.
I think the Lakers should look to Pau a bit more in the block vrs Lewis. Abuse that mismatch.
Bynum needs to learn all he has to do is stay between Howard and the hoop and not give up and simply foul (he did that 2 or 3 times).
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Hack-A-Howard!
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I have never seen someone shoot free throws without moving his shooting elbow. Its bizarre, he simply flicks it towards the hoop.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Kobe won't need to shoot like that again... he just wanted to put a stamp on it.
Bill Plaschke of the LA Times said it best:
“We did everything we could to stop him,” said Magic rookie Courtney Lee, the poor young victim here. “But he would make a shot. And make a shot. And make a shot.”
You know who used to do the same thing in NBA Finals openers here? Bryant is going to hate to hear this, but in a certain section of Lakers history, he has now joined his good buddy Shaquille O’Neal.
During Shaq’s three Finals MVP runs, his best, most involved games were always the first ones. And it was always intentional.
Shaq would purposely bring the sort of thunder that would send the opponent scurrying into a hole from which it never emerged.
In 2000, he had 43 points and 19 rebounds in the opener against the Indiana Pacers.
In 2001, he accounted for 44 and 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 2002, he went for 36 and 16 against the New Jersey Nets.
When stars want to get the first giant grip on a series and a season and a giant gold ball, this is how they lunge.
This is what Bryant just did.
It’s not something that Kobe will do again unless he absolutely has to – and like Avinash said, if the rest of the team doesn’t play a solid game the way they did, Kobe doesn’t have that kind of success. But make no mistake that Kobe wanted to send a message to start the Finals – and the Magic heard it loud and clear.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Or it's just Plaschke grasping at straws
Shaq had monster Game 1s because he was being guarded by a hobbled Rik Smits, a past-his-prime Mutombo (who flopped a few times in that series), and (best of all) the wunderkind Todd Macculloch and Jason Collins.
Not to take away anything from Kobe, but I don’t believe any of this “sending a message” crap. That’s sportswriter jargon.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 5, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Mayhap...
…the important thing (for me at least) is to just know that this series is going to go 6, maybe 7 games and not get ahead of myself ;-)
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
onto a DVD?
Once someone publishes the torrent, I’ll get right on it.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Huh? No, I mean burn it, set it on fire. Awful play by both sides.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 7, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Fisher gets away with one.
26.2 seconds left in overtime, only a 3-point Laker lead. Upon receiving the inbounds pass, Fisher takes about 4 steps before passing the ball to Odom, who makes both free throws to ice the game.
Hell of a time to miss a call.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
There were a lot of calls missed in this game
Not really going to worry about it, since it turned into one of the great Finals games.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 7, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Is this series worth watching? I only watch NBA games if you tell me to.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
I think all basketball games are worth watching. Go find and watch every NBA clip on YouTube and don’t stop until you’re done.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 7, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Poor Courtney Lee
He’s going to get blamed for this loss. But Stan should’ve let someone else run those last two plays. That’s too much pressure to put on a rookie.
THEY HAD THE LOB! THEY HAD IT!
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
You still blame the 2007 collapse on Kevin Riley don’t you?
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 7, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes and no.
If young Court had worked harder as a youth on developing a left hand, we would’ve been going to Orlando 1-1.
On the other hand, Orlando clearly needs another clutch option (JJ Redick, you’re not nominated, stop nominating yourself) since Hedo has been learning what flavor gum Trevor Ariza chews.
Oh yeah
The fact that JJ was on the floor for the entire fourth quarter and OT of an NBA Finals game boggles my mind (not sure if he should’ve been there or not, I’ll have to think about it).
Hedo actually played very well (and forced two huge turnovers on Kobe late), although he still really can’t guard Bryant 1-on-1 seven years later.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 7, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, sold it well though!
Hedo learned how to sell foul calls from Vlade.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 7, 2009 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
hedo is clutch
but I’m wondering if defenders watch film. His game ending play is always the same. Jab step to create space. cross over, fade to the left. Bucket.
What else can defenders do? He’s hit that shot since his Sac-town days. You just pray he misses it (considering the places from where he takes that shot, you’d EXPECT him to miss it).
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 8, 2009 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Beat him to his left.
Like Artest, Sedale Threatt and Matt Jung (shooting guard for Hong Kong’s Champion Winling Squad) – they love going left. If the defender shades left ,you can beat him there and get on the ball as they try to bring up to shoot. And don’t fall for the drive fake. You know his preference is to pull up and shoot.
Ariza played him very well actually
Didn’t notice after rechecking the highlights. Big D plays.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 9, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, but that blocked shot from behind against Kobe was c-l-e-a-n
Enter Kobe bitching and moaning about nothing. But hey, he’s just doing his part to channel Jordan.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
ah icic.
Meh, i still think it was much ado about nothing.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Yeah I don’t see much to it. Looks like Rashard saw Hedo and drew his hand away like it was a boiling pot.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
You’re not allowed to slap someone on the wrist; automatic foul. It makes it way more difficult to complete the shot.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 8, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Magic ball movement has been great, 17 assists.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 9, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions
That was some good basketball
Last 5 minutes of the 2nd quarter we saw about 5 missed shots. Two really tough Kobe jumpers, two horrible Skip shots (one off the side of the backboard) and something else. Dwight still looks like “the worst great player” ever.
My P.E. teacher (who played D1) has an awesome story about a time he guarded Alston in a pick-up game. He didn’t know who Alston was or his rep so he was playing him really tight. He said Alston did a few moves and made him do a complete turn (says Alston was the only person ever to do that to him). My teacher’s response: OK, guess I gotta back up a few feet.
The story is better in person.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
Skip
is one of my favorite people in the NBA. Just a great great guy.
As a basketball player, he’s a gifted ball handler, decent 3 point shooter and a very underrated defender. He’s also very skilled at getting teams organized and into their offense.
The downside? Horrible horrible 2 point shooter. Sometimes gets caught up in a one-on-one battle. And sometimes looks for his own offense at the expense of the better offensive players.
Worst Great Players?
Whether or not ‘Great’ defines them is questionable, but I’d throw out there:
Chris Webber
Gary Payton
Reggie Miller
This reminds me of the Flashbangs that were:
Grandmama – Larry Johnson
The Rain Man – Shawn Kemp
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
They’re a step below, although Payton is a worthy contestant. Those last two are three steps below, although Kemp was a monster before he became a baby-making machine.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Reggie Miller is actually the greatest thing to ever happen to this world.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
He’s the worst thing to happen to TV. Worst. Voice. Ever.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he just drained a 3 in your face out of anger. And you fouled him. Nailed the free throw.
I don’t really watch NBA games, so I can’t say anything about him as a broadcaster. I just think that maybe you aren’t ready for the word and voice of God.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
If that’s what God sounds like, I’ll take the first train to hell please.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Is he really that bad? I refuse to believe it. Video please.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Come on its not that bad
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
He’s much worse to listen to for 48 minutes.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Avinash, should I watch?
I really wish I had an Avinash button so whenever I needed: you to tell me whether I should watch an NBA game, you could assist me with a barrage of facts when I was having an impassioned discussion with someone, you could help me with my hw, etc.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
This is not a police state
Make your own decisions.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 9, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Well I have some work to do so I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to delay doing work (possibly angrying my mother) so I could watch the game. If it is a 5 point or less game with about 6 minutes to go I will definitely watch. I was just wondering if you think it is entertaining enough to start watching now.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
Odom doesn't seem to be here tonight
Happens when Kobe holds the ball too much.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 9, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Dear Trevor Ariza:
There is a reason no one on Orlando tries to guard you when you are beyond the arc. Please pass it.
♥,
The other four guys in purple.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
Damn. Wish I could have seen this game.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
The Magic had the best shooting game in NBA Finals history….and it came down to the final possession.
I expect the Lakers and the Magic to split the next two (in some order or the other) and then LA to close it out in Game 6. Orlando needed EVERYTHING to go their way and they still pulled it out by the skin of their teeth. Howard isn’t quite ready to dominate down low, and Orlando’s shooting can only carry them so far against the length of LA.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 10, 2009 12:11 AM PDT reply actions
What on earth
Has Patrick Ewing been teaching him?
He’s got to learn to either post up or learn how to pass, pass, pass.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 10, 2009 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions
On the other hand
His defense and rebounding has been fantastic. And this particular Magic team doesn’t need him to be that great on the offensive end.
Have to credit Courtney Lee and Pietrus for great D on Kobe.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 10, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Kobe angrily muttering to himself was the highlight of my night.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 10, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Kobe freaking out after he got stripped with like a minute left made my night.
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
And after the missed free throws, he was angrily chastising himself like 2 minutes after. He even raised his eyebrows like it was a conversation with another person.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 10, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
He’s on a different planet right now. And I love it. He’s playing with an intensity I haven’t seen in years.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
by Berkelium97 on Jun 10, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
In years? Didn’t he play the exact same way in the Western Conference Finals last year?
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 10, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
And you can tell he is pissed at himself for the free throws and turnovers. As I said, at least 35 for him next game.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 10, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Goaltending
I was just at a local lunch place which has tv’s with espn. They talked about how Phil admitted what Gasol did at the end of game 2 was considered goaltending, and then the talking heads babbled on for about five minutes. Personally, I want the Lakers to win, and I do think it is technically goaltending, I also think that shot was going to miss no matter what, but what I am most reminded of is how a game is never decided by one play. There are 48 minutes of basketball, a single action or lack thereof, does not define the outcome. If you think the Magic should have been awarded an additional two points for Gasol’s actions, I would like to remind people about Gasol’s missed dunk midway through the first quarter (The one where Howard literally stuck his hand through the rim to block the shot), if the Magic get two additional points, the Lakers should get two additional points, and the outcome is the same.
I know it sounds like I’m instigating an argument with myself, but I find it really annoying when people point to one specific event and believe that the injustice in that one moment completely outweighs their actions over the other 47-1/2 minutes of play.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
That is always a huge issue with people who follow NBA and concentrate on the damned refs. Basketball is about more than the rules.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Jameer Nelson is KILLLLLING Orlando. GET HIM OUT STAN.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 8:22 PM PDT reply actions
You know, Stan is some kind of mad genius. Just reverted to All-Star Jameer.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Robert Jordan agrees with you.
Can somebody take j nelson outabout 1 hour ago from twidroid
How long they gone keep nelson in the game I mean god damn he mite not got itabout 1 hour ago from twidroid
J nelson is weak bruh34 minutes ago from twidroid
J nelson u r the weakest link33 minutes ago from twidroid
Like I said j nelson is the weakest20 minutes ago from twidroid
Hahahahahahahhahaha j nelson hella weak18 minutes ago from twidroid
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Perhaps we should invite Robert Jordan to do his own crazy liveblog. It’d be madness I tell you!
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Man, LeonPowe, you weren't kidding about Pietrus
He’s playing the best ball of his life.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 8:32 PM PDT reply actions
What on Earth do they put in the water in Turkey.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 8:47 PM PDT reply actions
I wouldn't have cared if anyone made those 3s
Except Derek Fisher. I hate that smug smiling flopping “announcer-loving” vet.
Now he enters Finals lore. Bleh.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 9:23 PM PDT reply actions
Anyway, Orlando didn't deserve to win
Kobe elbow or no Kobe elbow. They got 17 more free throws, put all their big men in foul trouble, and missed fifteen of them (Howard missing the biggest two of the night). They let go of a double digit lead in five minutes. Jameer Nelson didn’t step out on the two biggest threes of the game. They turned over the ball, over and over. This was worse than the Nick Anderson choke, the whole team collectively gagged.
Kobe: 11-31, 32 points 7 rebounds 8 assists (you lose rollonubears), but man he took some absurd looking shots. Not a great game, but fairly reasonable. Ariza stepped up, as did Fisher, and it was enough. Phil’s getting his tenth and Kobe’s getting his ring w/o Shaq.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 9:42 PM PDT reply actions
Oh fuck. It looked like he was going to get it. At about 30 points it looks like he went into ‘I will score 5 more points, but it will probably take me 10 shots’ mode. Some of his shots were ridiculously questionable. He was being a ballhog. The shot over Pietrus in the 4th was total luck. Just because you have 8 assists doesn’t mean you were being a team player.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 11, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I disagree with that. Kobe was running the offense fairly well, Orlando played good defense on him and the rest of the team (most of the time). They just couldn’t get boards or rotate.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I only watched starting with about 10 minutes to go in the 4th, so that may influence my opinion. He was trying too hard to be the hero.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 11, 2009 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Probably. Nothing we don’t expect from Kobe.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 1:17 AM PDT up reply actions
The spinning blind pass he made to Gasol
was a play that only the best players in the game can make. A thing of beauty.
He loved running that play with Shaq too. Beautiful stuff when he dishes into the lane.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
True dat – it was amazing.
Also, that was the best elbow smash I’ve seen since The Macho Man Randy Savage. Kobe snapped into Jameer’s face like it was a Slim Jim!
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Here's what I don't get
Jordan made those type of dirty plays every single time – and yet he never gets flack for it (except from me. I don’t like Jordan).
Kobe knows what time of year it is . . . and if he doesn’t get caught, well
Time heals all wounds...
over time, we forget the bad stuff and remember the better stuff – especially when it comes to sports. Two words: Ty Cobb.
10 years after he retires, no one will talk about Kobe’s “physical play” – just about his awesome skillz, being the best closer in the game, and 4+ rings.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Ill never forget how much I hated Ty Cobb. He was so rude to people! Rude and also, well, murderous.
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
There was once an amputee heckling Ty Cobb the entire game. What does he do? Beat up the amputee with his own wooden leg. So, tell me again why we aren’t letting McGwire and Rose and the other questioned greats into the hall?
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Because they have yet to beat the disabled?
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I guess I need to go to more events they go to and heckle them.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
I think McGwire and Bonds should both go into the Hall. I love McGwire – and I hate Bonds. Oooo do I hate Bonds. But I don’t think they should be punished for something that was tacitly accepted by MLB at the time. That MLB should now wag their finger (ala Raffie) and talk about punishing McGwire, or even A-Rod, for cheating is simply hypocritical and disingenuous. No, sorry – you had your chance when this stuff was going down, and you turned the other way ‘cause Chicks Dig The Long Ball* and you needed cheeks in the seats. Everyone who was juicing before the new rules came into effect should get a free pass. Selig just needs to admit he screwed up, everyone gets a fresh start, and let’s be on our way. The only person who should be banned from the Hall is Bud Selig, for allowing the situation to balloon into what it did.
Not to mention the fact that McGwire didn’t do anything illegal. Andro wasn’t banned by MLB until 2004 – he admitted he was using andro, and was open about it. Later, he decided to stop using it, basically for role model reasons. Is it possible he did something else? Sure, but we can wildly speculate about anyone. I just think it’s so idiotic that McGwire gets ripped for using something that wasn’t even banned back then. And who can blame him for not wanting to talk about his past in Congress? Congress specifically said that the proceedings were not going to be a witch hunt, and they LIED. Lied, lied, lied. So give McGwire a break.
*follow the link for the reference
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
No one watched enough basketball in the 80s (certainly there was no ESPN), plus there was a much dirtier team out there (Bad Boys) that made what MJ did look like child’s play.
And MJ didn’t have a love-love relationship with the media until he started winning rings. 1988-1990 they were especially rough on them. We’re probably hitting that turning point with Kobe if he wins it here.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 2:47 AM PDT up reply actions
People also forget that the Power Foward position used to be nicknamed “The Enforcer” position. Basically, if you fuck with one of the stars, I fuck with you. Then, Rudy T got cold-cocked and the NBA tried to move away from that.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Charles Oakley and Bill Lambieer were still doing that 10 years later though.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Here's What I Don't Like
This wasn’t like Kobe v. Doug Christie all those years ago where Christie stayed still, & Kobe whacked him in the nose, and a foul was called on Christie. Jameer Nelson was running towards Kobe from his blind side. Kobe’s arms were arms were not straight up, but his elbows weren’t cocked to the side either, they were in a normal position you expect for someone to take a turn around jump shot. Nothing out of the ordinary happen on Kobe’s end, it was all in the flow of the game. Nelson ran into his elbow as much as Kobe hit him with his elbow.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
It was Bibby, not Christie (at 1:20). And yeah, that elbow last night wasn’t really cocked.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I was referring to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UwucT9Vnsk
8:43 mark
Total Blocking Foul!
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
I really don’t think of his play as dirty – more cheap (and I include those cheap elbows he gave to my man Shane Battier all last game)
The dirty play was the two hand shove in the back by Petrius on the last dunk
Eh, I'll take issue with that
Kobe swings his elbows a lot, especially when he gets bodied a lot. I remember when he plowed over Mike Bibby in that infamous Game 6 and no foul was called.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 2:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah I don’t know what the hell Pietrus was doing there.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Ahhh Nick Anderson
I still can’t believe how those missed free throws utterly destroyed his career. A career that was shaping itself to look pretty good.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Don’t bring it up. Worst memory of my childhood.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone alert the Maharg!
Cougar down! Cougar down!
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 11, 2009 10:54 PM PDT reply actions
What does Kobe want? Does he want to be the greatest ever? He obviously wants something but I can’t tell what.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
Who are you, Stu Scott? He wants people like you to stop asking these asinine questions.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I think getting into Kobe’s psyche would be a compelling experience. He obviously is not the most normal guy. He definitely has quirks. Lebron wants to be a global icon. What does Kobe want? Does he want to be universally loved? Because that certainly isn’t happening. If you have read V for Vendetta it is kind of like the subplot of the leader and the computer.
And I barely follow the NBA, besides this post and the Indy Cornrows blog, so I don’t know what questions are being asked about Kobe.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions
He wants to win. That’s all.
His psyche would be interesting, but his motivations are fairly simple.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think Kobe is as complex or enigmatic as people make him out to be. He’s extremely competitive, and kind of surly. That’s it. Why does it have to be more complicated than that?
I think there is a bit more to it than that.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
You are being too nice to me Avinash. It is unsettling :]
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I have a Question for the Masses
Do you think Orlando this year, and Boston last year benefitted from playing Lebron directly before playing Kobe? Kobe and Lebron are both exceptionally dominant, and will carry their respective teams to victory. Yes, Lebron drives more, while Kobe uses the mid-range game, but in either case Orlando and Boston had to design defensive schemes specifically around these two players. In both cases, the schemes used against Kobe and Lebron could have been very similar. I would guess Orlando and Boston were able to hone the defensive scheme they would apply to Kobe by first using it on Lebron. Lebron fits as a suitable substitute, and with 6 games against Lebron, Orlando and Boston’s d became more prepared for what Kobe could bring.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
They’re very different players. Lebron is easier to gameplan against because he lets the defense set (you force him to his jump shot and/or you trap him and give him up). There isn’t really a great way to gameplan against Kobe except force him to his left and make him shoot from 18. I don’t recall the Cs making a conscious effort to defend Bryant that way; Pierce and Posey just played pretty good defense on him for four of six games. Pietrus and Lee have done the same, but this year Bryant’s teammates stepped up.
Lebron’s teammates have not stepped up for him when he’s needed them. Worrisome sign for Cavs fans.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember the Celtics placing Posey or another defender way up on Kobe taking away the outside jumper and forcing him to dribble, then building a three person wall two to three steps behind him taking away the potential for a drive, pull-up jumper, and pass to someone cutting to the hoop. They left Perkins underneath to be the human wall preventing the Lakers from dominating the offensive glass as well as executing back door lobs.
When Kobe passed he was forced to pass either to the corner or to the top, in either case, the person on the appropriate end of the wall would immediately close out, and the recipient of the pass would have to rush a shot, pump fake and one-dribble shot (not Fish’s or any other Laker’s strengths), or pass. It was definitely a conscious defensive scheme to guard against Kobe. It worked brilliantly, not to mention Boston was able to execute it brilliantly. Without Gasol being able to punish Perkins on the block (cuz he couldn’t move him), and no good looks for the shooters, the Lakers went down… hard.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Yeah, isn’t it a variation of that defense the Knicks ran against Jordan? The fact that MJ beat even that swarming madness attests to his greatness.
Although, to be fair, New York never had anyone talented defensively as KG to set assignments and get players where they needed to be; he certainly took Gasol and Odom out of the game. Howard’s done that a little bit in this series, although Gasol and Odom’s defense is much much better (Dwight has had close to no offense in this series. Zero).
Speaking of which, we should give credit to the Laker D. Three great games, one so-so one. Dwyer broke it down very well.
But credit the Lakers’ defense, which harassed the Magic screen and roll game to no end. Credit Kobe Bryant’s help defense. Truly applaud the way Pau Gasol moved his feet, thought off the ball, and gave up his body in defense of Dwight Howard (5-12 shooting two days after going 5-6 from the floor).
Gasol was brilliant, defensively. Lamar Odom’s help defense was superb again, this time without leaving Rashard Lewis so much, and Derek Fisher was allowed to play a physical brand of defense on the perimeter (surprising in a game where Bennett Salvatore was the lead official), so he took advantage.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the Knicks did something similar. But I always felt that the key to the Celtics great D against the Lakers was Perkins. Yes, KG is fantastic, and Rondo is long and quick enough to close on shooters effectively. But Perkins was able to defend the weak side of the basket by himself, freeing up KG and others to overplay Kobe’s side.
As for Jordan, I had the great fortune of moving to chicago in 85, then to LA in 93. Though I’m still loyal to the Bulls, I always thought Jordan was only slightly better than Kobe (once he matured), this series and the Celtics series are making me change my mind. Kobe is not Jordan-lite, Jordan truly is in a class of his own.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Mentally they're on the same wavelength, hell even on the court they're close
But physically MJ just beats out Kobe. Jordan had those “million dollar” hands (as Phil liked to call it) that made it so easy for him to grasp the ball, drive to the basket and finish with impunity (part of the reason he always averaged around 50% shooting, Kobe’s gotten close to 46% on his best year, huge difference).
Not to mention MJ’s metabolism was fucking ridiculous; the dude had that absurd ability to play harder, longer, on both sides of the floor. Jordan played tyrannical defense in the late 80s/early 90s and settled into great team D as he grew older; Bryant has been a good team/help defender but never came close to reaching that mindset on D.
In a sense, it’s more remarkable that Kobe has drawn those MJ comparisons with limited physical tools. He’s had to become a more skilled offensive player, spot up shooter (he’s undoubtedly the best jump shooter I’ve ever seen). That doesn’t make him the best that’s ever played (he’s approaching top 5 very fast though), but it makes you appreciate him that much more.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
he’s undoubtedly the best jump shooter I’ve ever seen
At least be subtle when you try to rile me up.
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t mean to imply my respect for Kobe has gone down, rather my respect for MJ has gone up. Plus, MJ was an incredible athlete, but he also worked his ass of to get better. He entered the league as a bad defender, and bad jump shooter.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Here's Bill Slimmons' take on Fisher's 3
You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul.
You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul.
You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul. You have to foul.
You …
Have …
To …
Foul.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090612&sportCat=nba
I completely disagree with that statement.
1) Fisher had missed all of his threes prior to that point, and has not been shooting the well at all.
2) Fisher tends to be more of a catch-and-shoot shooter, not an off the dribble shooter, particularly not an off the dribble shooter taking a pull-up 3 3ft. behind the line.
3) THe Magic had been missing their free throws, its not lije they were guaranteed 2 points.
Yes, Nelson should have been up on him, but Fisher taking a pull-up 3 several ft. behind the line is the shot you want the Laker’s to take.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
but Fisher taking a pull-up 3 several ft. behind the line is the shot you want the Laker’s to take.
What? No no no no no. Fisher taking a driving layup (Fisher is one of the worst driving point guards in the NBA) or a spot up 2 pointer is the shot you want the Lakers to take. Nelson should have never have given him four feet. You force him to drive to the basket .
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
okay, yes, you are right.
You’d rather have Fisher driving, or taking a two, I did note Nelson should have been up on him. But Simmon’s point was the Magic should have fouled. I am saying they shouldn’t have, and I believe as a coach in that situation you will live with Fisher taking that shot. It is not the best situation for the magic to be in (Pau Gasol taking a turn-around off-balance 3), but it is definitely not the worst either.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Simmons is talking through his Celtics colored glasses
He has Ray Allen & Paul Pierce (not a great FT shooter, but generally reliable in the final minutes) on his team. The Magic have Howard (just clanked two), Hedo (clanked three), Rashard (who played stoned most of the game), Jameer (no) and Pietrus (reliable). That’s a one in five shot at getting it to a guy you trust.
Imagine if they fouled, Fisher sinks both, Orlando misses both, and LA wins on the final possession, or something of that variation. Stan would not have just gotten fired, he’d have been fed to Shamu at Sea World. There was a bigger mistake that Simmons mentioned though, which I’ll address in chowder’s reply above.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 12, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
…Kobe trying to post up Pietrus on the high post, Nelson coming over to double-team him, Kobe swinging around and nailing Nelson with a Macho Man Savage-esque elbow to the face (no call)
He stole my imagery! I should sue.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
We have a team of lawyers here at CGB. Lets get him!
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 12, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Great writeup by Eric Neel on Phil Jackson
But that’s not what I’m thinking at all. I’m thinking, what if the operative shtick here is ours, not his? What if there’s some part of us, some cautious, analog part of our hearts that still clings to the idea that coaches are only coaching when they draw up plays on the chalkboard or stir up players with Gipper speeches?
I’m thinking this cat has stayed true to his school on this stuff, talking about energy, connectedness, intuition and not being a stranger to the moment as you’ve imagined it, from the jump, for two decades now.
At what point do we stop thinking of him as the eccentric? Will 10 rings do the trick? At what point do we consider the possibility, in earnest, with nary a wink or a nod, that the guy might be on to something? That over and above the X’s and O’s (which pretty much everyone knows cold anyway), in this era, in conjunction with truly elite talents such as Michael, Scottie, Shaq, Kobe and Gasol, at this level of competition, Jackson might be practicing just the sort of alchemy and philosophical framing that makes the difference between a team’s being good and being great, between simply making the playoffs and making the playoffs your plaything.
I’m just saying, there’s a record built up here, a record that could get more robust and imposing after the completion of this series, and that maybe we should reckon with it a little bit, that maybe we should at least visualize how visualization might be important.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 14, 2009 1:47 PM PDT reply actions
I love how the announcers claim that the refs are ‘letting them play’ when they’re really just missing calls left and right. At they’re missing them for both sides this time.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
The really important thing about reffing
isn’t getting or missing calls . .. but calling a consistent level of physicalness on both ends. A well called game will have the players understanding what is a foul and what isn’t in any particular game.
So a foul isn’t a foul? Shouldn’t it be?
Sounds like you’re saying that it’s okay that their accuracy wavers in their foulcalling?
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
after thought: So… you’re saying that consistency is the key, and the refs have the right to decide what kind of game it’s going to be? Seems like that gives too much power to the refs in actually controlling the game…
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Yes that's correct
much like offensive line calls, every single NBA possession can result in about 3-4 foul calls. Remember the Cavs-Magic game (game 4?) where they shot over 80 free throws? Remember how horrible that was to watch?
As long as the refs are consistent on both ends of the floor on the amount of contact they’ll allow, the players will adjust. The difference is . . .is it a foul or is it a FOUL?
Most players and fans would actually like refs to “let them play” a little bit. Especially in the playoffs where it is a bit more physical.
hahaha another 'LeBron by himself' puppet commercial
I guess it was supposed to show his determination or whatever, but having the big ‘24’ behind him was just makin’ look like he got clowned.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Congratulations to the Lakers!
2009 NBA Champions.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
I mean this in the classiest way possible, but Fuck the Lakers.
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
This series was all baout failed Dubs succeeding elsewhere. I think even Adonal foyle was on the Magic(k)!
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Get an owner who cares about basketball, and maybe the Dubs will get somewhere.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 14, 2009 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought you were a Kings fan?!?! When did you become BearStage’s Robin??
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
That’s just a statement of fact. It’s not a putdown. Your management has sucked for nearly two decades.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 14, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
We need to band together. We cant have these fissions. The Lakers are hte enemy. Not you and me. Lets stop the feuding and afussing.
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Your anger just makes it that much sweeter!
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
Then I hope your teeth rot and fall out! MAY YOUR DENTIST BILL BE LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS CREATING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP!
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I ALREADY WEAR DENTURES!
IN YOUR FACE!
:-O
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
I'll talk about the game later
But who the hell is that slick haired Latino dude Kobe is hugging?
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 14, 2009 7:44 PM PDT reply actions
I want that "X" hat that Phil was wearing
Unusual immodesty from the Zen Master.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 14, 2009 8:11 PM PDT reply actions
Well, his kids made it for him, so he had to show them some love.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
The team ambushed him in the locker room and doused him in champagne!
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 14, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, that was pretty awesome.
It was cool to see to see Kobe just explode when the clock hit 0:00. Jumping around like a 8-year-old kid.
I haven't seen that many tear-stained dollar bills since my dad hired a stripper for my uncle's funeral.
It would seem prudent to unrec this now.
I am the Tyrant Boy King Of UC Eugene! An endless cavalcade of worthless inanities is my currency!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
A great effort for the Lakers. Obviously it would’ve probably meant more to LA if it were Boston or Cleveland, but we still had three fantastic games in this Finals, which is above the norm (sometimes we’re lucky to get one). I’m sure they’re plenty happy with this title.
Ultimately, they were better and more talented than any other team in the league, they played with greater effort when they needed to (until the very end when they blew the doors off their opponents, winning their closeout games fairly handily), and it was enough. Other than maybe Game 5 of the Nuggets series, the Lakers were never in the danger zone.
Biggest five individual factors for victory
1) Pau Gasol’s defense: Much, much improved from last season’s debacle.
2) The defensive rotations were on point, everyone was moving across the court and most importantly keeping teams from making wide open spot-up 3s.
3) Lamar Odom played like a beast for at least twelve games. He was the X-factor in three very crucial games (Game 5 of the Nuggets series, Game 3 of the Rockets series, Games 2 & 6 in this series), and when he was REALLY ON, the Lakers generally blew the doors off their opponent.
4) Kobe had huge signature games (Game 4 of the Jazz series, Game 2 & 3 of the Rockets series, Games 3 & 6 of the Nuggets series, Games 1 & of the Finals). All in all, one of the most impressive playoffs in recent memory, right up there with Wade ’06, Duncan ’03, Shaq ’00, Jordan ’91. Savor these performances hoops fans. Bryant is probably at the end of his prime. We might never see him play this consistently well again.
5) Trevor Ariza had crazy stretches from downtown. But it was his active defense and slashing and driving in Game 5 that turned Hedo into a blubbering mess. He wore out Carmelo as the Western Conference Finals went along and helped distance the Lakers from the Nuggets. Big big plays from the wingman, who is either going to make a lot of money or take a paycut to come back for another title run. Him and Odom got choices to make.
All in all, a fairly worthy champion. Well, to everyone but Twist.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 15, 2009 12:33 AM PDT reply actions
Eeh.
They still played way to lackadasical in the early going. And they were taken to game 7 by a team starting Chuck Hayes. While I have a giant man-crush on Chuck Hayes. . . he shouldn’t be starting for an NBA team.
Kind of
They were still learning to play together and win together. Houston was the best defensive team in terms of forcing Bryant and Gasol out of their comfort zones, and for whatever reason Odom was a nonfactor most of that series.
You’d have to level the same criticisms at Boston for being taken to Game 7s against Atlanta and Cleveland, but I’m guessing you won’t because you played for them.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 15, 2009 4:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes and no
The Lakers looked like they weren’t playing hard. Boston clearly was – Atlanta was a surprise and Cleveland has LBJ.
Maybe
They just let their talent go to their heads. Dunno if that’s true or not, but it did seem like they had a talented group that got up for the games they needed to get up for.
They did better than the 2000 Lakers IMO, with a group of veterans who literally mailed it in half the time. At least these guys didn’t lose a Finals game by 33 points. This Lakers incarnation came together by the WCF and generally played hard every night after that.
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 15, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
2000 finals was Reggie right?
While the rides on the Pain Train and Brock Mansion Party Yacht have been fun, I think its time I hop on the BakBakcycle.
by rollonubears on Jun 15, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
For some reason this comment reminded me Glen Rice was on the Lakers for their first championship.
Glen Rice…. I really don’t know what to make of him.
We all dream of being a child again, even the worst of us, the worst... perhaps... most of all.
Overpaid diva scorer sounds about right, no?
by Avinash Kunnath on Jun 15, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
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| Fresno St. | Sat 09/03 | W 36 - 21 |
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Colorado
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Washington
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Sat 09/24 | L 23 - 31 |
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Thu 10/06 | L 15 - 43 |
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USC
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Sat 10/22 | W 34 - 10 |
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Wed 12/28 | L 10 - 21 |
