nba musings

NBA Finals Game 2
Lakers v. Magic 101-96/OT

• Kaboom. That is the sound of the Orlando Magic’s balloon of hope deflating.
• Rotations. A word Stan Van Gundy likes to play loose and fast with. I admire rotation adjustments. They’re critical to success. But, at some point, you really can’t be playing every combination of guards on your roster. I realize Pietrus was in foul trouble, but was it really a great idea to have Redick playing point guard (when the last time he saw any serious minutes was in the Boston round)?
• Rookie. A word describing Courtney Lee’s status in the league, in case anyone forgot. Those two missed layups by Lee were heartbreaking, but should he really have been the one taking them? I don’t care how talented he is or that he’s been starting this season, he’s still green around the gills. I agree it was a great play drawn up by SVG and if the basket had fallen it would be moot, but still. A veteran should be taking those kinds of shots for obvious reasons.
• Neutralized. A word that describes Dwight Howard in the first two games of this series. It seems like just yesterday that everyone was ready to annoint D12 the new king of the world. Remember that? What happened? Superman, my ass. Personally, I think he should have had to win more than a dunk contest to get a nickname like that, but that’s just me.
• All that being said, I don’t think being down 0-2 should be the end of the world. All that really happened was that the Lakers held serve on their home court — like they were supposed to do. The Magic now have the opportunity at home to get back in this thing. Will they? I’m not putting money on it. Especially if Stan can’t decide between Jameer, Rafer, Anthony, Hedo or J.J. at point guard.
• Off-topic: Kate Hudson & A-Rod? WTF?

Recent postings from around the blogosphere:

• Talk Hoops: 2009 NBA Finals: Lakers-Magic Game 2 Recap
• Heels on Hardwood: Done with Dinneyland…. For Now
• Red’s Army: Maybe the Lakers winning is a good thing
• Ball Don’t Lie: Video: Amar’e, Hill, Dahntay and Birdman on ‘Jimmy Kimmel’
• Both Teams Played Hard: All the News Fit to Six: June 8, 2009

NBA Finals Game 1
Lakers v. Magic 100-75

This game was a classic “die by the 3″ game. The Lakers defense was part of it, but the Magic also missed a ton of wide open shots. Simply put, the Magic are who we thought they were. The key to me was how the Lakers controlled Dwight. When Dwight can be controlled, the Magic are toast. I’ve read this book before. More than that though, Kobe was just a monster. He had a psycho look in his eye and as I said before this series started, there’s no way he’s not going to avenge last season’s finals. I’m sure the Magic will heat up and probably aren’t going to get swept. Past that though, I’m not sure how long this series can go.

It amused me that right before the game, David Stern announced that he was fining LeBron $25k for not speaking to the media. Strange that he had four off-days where he could’ve announced that, but instead waited until right before game 1. I’m sure LeBron won’t miss that $25k since that kind of money has to be cushion change to him. It was interesting to me when Stern said that LeBron would come and speak out about this at a later date. Why? He already spoke out about it last Sunday when he said he did nothing wrong. So now we are supposed to be sitting here waiting with bated breath for him to come BACK out and change his tune? Like, oh ok, NOW he’s sorry. NOW he realizes it was wrong. Ridiculous. I think the whole thing was overblown, but I also think LeBron’s first instincts and first comments were the truth. He’s spoiled and a bad sport. Nothing more, nothing less. I don’t want to hear another thing he has to say on the subject because spin control makes me cranky.

In other news, apparently KG is making championship guarantees for the next two seasons. Sigh. Oh KG, why do you do this to me? Not long ago, I stated that only chumps make guarantees. I would never call you a chump… but, cut it out.

Recent postings from around the blogosphere:

• Talk Hoops/Both Teams Played Hard – Cross Polination: Emails With Both Teams Played Hard, NBA Finals Preview | Talking Hoops with Talk Hoops: Vol. III (Zach & Jared are hilarious and a great team. Read volume 3 and then check the archives for 1 & 2. They are lengthy, so you’ll need a little time to read everything, but it’s worth every minute.)
• Heels on Hardwood – NBA Withdrawal: 10 Paperbacks for the Basketball Fan (Nat’s lists have been literally rocking my world. Read this post and then be sure to check all of her other great hoops-related recommendations.)
• The No-Look Pass – Chronicles Of Crotty #19: Come Clean (The latest podcast from Rey-Rey and his SoCal posse of Clips/Lakers fans. Check this one out and then be sure to backtrack through the archives. The guys have a lot of fun while sharing their insights on the game.)

Oh and ps. Found out last night that Kobe is Larry Bird’s favorite player. Why don’t you just tell me that Derek Jeter is Jim Rice’s favorite player while you’re at it.

Random NBA thoughts in no particular order:

This stretch between Sunday and Wednesday with no NBA has been brutal. I don’t know what I’m going to do during the off-season this year. It’s going to be long and painful. Sigh. Thankfully tonight, ESPN Classic is airing Game 4 of last year’s finals. I still can’t believe that game. Epic comeback. Watching it reminds me of how much I miss the love of my life, James Posey.

Is it just me or did anyone else notice a change in Charles Barkley this season after he came back to TNT from his DUI bust? To me, he just seemed to be enjoying his job a lot less. I can’t nail down exactly what he did to make me think this, but it’s just something I kept noticing the longer the season went on. He was still fun to watch though. Only Chuck could call his colleagues numbnuts and pussy over the airwaves and get away with it.

Some quick Celtics updates – KG had surgery last week to remove bone spurs and is now rehabbing his right knee, The Boston Celtics won the Professional Sports Team of the Year award by the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily, Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau lost out to Eddie Jordan for the head coaching position with the Philadelphia 76ers — will interview with the Sacramento Kings this Saturday for their head coaching vacancy, Tony Allen had surgery today at New England Baptist hospital on his right ankle.

Prediction time. So for the finals, I’m picking the Lakers to win and my mom is picking the Magic. She took a big long drink of the kool-aid everyone else is drinking based on the last series. I’ve only been watching the NBA since 2006, but I’ve been watching long enough to know that the Magic got a very VERY very favorable matchup when they met up with the Cavs. It will not be so easy this time around. Do they have a chance? Yes, they have a good chance. But, not a great chance. The Lakers have been waiting all year to redeem themselves in this year’s finals. I have a hard time believing that they’re going to let anyone stop them this time.

For a quick NBA fix, this interview by 850 The Buzz with J.J. Redick is worth listening to. He candidly discusses a variety of topics including LeBron not shaking hands after game 6, how Dwight has a stylist who picks out the sherbert colored sweaters he wears to press conferences, which Duke alums he’s in touch with and who he thinks will win this year’s NBA Finals (gosh, I wonder). Even if you don’t like J.J., this is still a good listen for NBA fans who enjoy getting the inside scoop.

Recent postings from around the blogosphere:

• Heels on Hardwood: NBA Withdrawal: 10 Player Stocks on the Rise through the Recession (Playoff Edition)
• Red’s Army: Oh those meddling Maloofs
• The No-Look Pass: We Like Obscure NBA Players: Pig Miller
• Both Teams Played Hard: All the News Fit to Six: June 3, 2009
• Talk Hoops: Hoops Media Consumption — June 3, 2009

Cavs v. Magic 112-102

1. They won by 10. But… nobody blows a big lead like the Cleveland Cavaliers. I honestly feel sorry for their fans. I can’t imagine never being able to be comfortable for an entire game no matter how many points up my team is.
2. It’s strange seeing the Cavs as the underdog and the Magic as the confident frontrunner. I feel like I fell down Alice’s rabbit hole.
3. Nobody smiles more, no matter what the situation, than Dwight Howard. Jump hook – big smile, slam dunk – huge smile, foul called against him – smirky smile, fouls out of the game – bemused smile, elbows a dude in the face – who me? smile.

Lakers v. Nuggets 104-93

Lamar Odom likes candy… A lot of candy.

Source: YouTube/Lakernation024

It amuses me that Lamar has a man servant who stocks up his luxury automobile with piles of candy. It makes me wonder what he was like as a kid at Halloween. Probably had ten different costumes and hit up all the houses in his neighborhood over and over until their supply of gummy worms and reese’s cups ran out.

Oh yeah, the game. Well, it was a’ight. I vaguely remember the Nuggets keeping it close and then coughing it up sometime in the 2nd half. Both of these teams play better at home, which bodes well for Lakers winning in 7 at Staples. But, we’ll see. If the Nuggets implode maybe it’ll be in 6.

Cavs @ Magic 89-99

I have mixed feelings about these games.

On the one hand, I really did want someone to knock the Cavs on their ass. They were just way too pleased with themselves this year between the pre-game picture pose crap and the starters dancing on the bench to Rick Astley at the end of games like the good days were just never going to end. Oh they end all right. They end. I know that my team talked their own trash and did their own dancing in 2008, but it never came easy. Never. The Celtics had to fight their way past the Hawks and then Cavs before they got to the ECF. They didn’t just breeze through them in consecutive sweeps. There is just something obnoxious about the way the Cavs arrived at their own ECF and I think now that they’re here, they have few supporters left outside of Cleveland. I know, I know… What were they supposed to do? Lose? Not be happy? I don’t know. I think it’s all about the way you celebrate and the way you rub it in. They did a little too much of both. Over this past season, I’ve seen the tide turn against them — mainly LeBron actually — and now that it’s turned, it’s like a mean spirited tidal wave. People just can’t wait to see LeBron fail. People appreciate a talented athlete, but they don’t want one that’s built up to be a messiah before he’s even won any championships.

The Magic on the other hand, are playing the “nobody respects us” card to the hilt. Something about that makes me want to punch them in the neck too. Just shut the hell up. Win something and then people will respect you. It really is that easy. Shut up and win. Two things I really wish Dwight Howard would stop doing. 1) Grabbing the ball, putting his head down, and “bull”-ing his way to the basket. That should be a foul every time and it’s only called about half the time. Everybody bitches about LeBron getting away with fouls, well he’s not the only one. 2) Swinging his elbows around wildly when he’s grabbing rebounds. He does this all the time and it’s incredibly dangerous. Thankfully he’s mostly only injured his own teammates thus far, but soon enough he’s going to to hurt someone who matters… Like Perk or Leon.

I’m kind of back to not cheering for either of these teams. Which is really as it should be. When it comes down to it, they’re both my mortal enemy.

Related news:

• CBSSports.com: Magic’s dirty little tricks becoming annoying habit
• Red’s Army: Breaking News: The Magic Feel Disrespected
• Orlando Sentinel: LeBron James hype is out of control
• Hornets Hype: The Discourse of Lebron.

Cavs v. Magic 96-95 (GW by The Chosen One)

What a game. I watched it on Twitter like I do most games and it was good times. First, everyone is like, “Hedoooooooo! The Turkish MJ! Yeah, yeah yeah baby!” Then, everyone is like, “The King! I’m a WITNESS! Holy effing buzzer beater!” Amazing. The NBA, where amaz… Nooooooooo! The NBA has officially killed the word “amazing” for me.

In case you weren’t a witness, here you go:

A few things about this game that I couldn’t help but notice…

1. At crunch time, the Refs were actually calling fouls AGAINST Lebron. I had much shock and awe over this. They called him on a charge TWICE. They even called the crab dribble! Well, technically I think it was just a normal travel, but anyway, just crazy to see fouls called on Lebron at home.
2. It’s no secret that Anderson Varejao is a big flop artist, but come on now. I want to jump through the TV and nail him hard so that when he goes down, I’ll know that for once, he actually is hurt and not just faking.
3. Orlando is scary. I haven’t had much faith in them because of years of seeing them crumble, but damn, it’s like they’re a whole different team or something. Good for them. I never said I didn’t like them, I just said I didn’t believe in them. I also said if they proved me wrong that I’d be happy to admit it. They’re on their way…
4. So last night… What was up with the Superman music at the Q at the end of the game? I imagine there must’ve been something on the Jumbotron I wasn’t seeing that would explain this. If anyone was at the game and can enlighten me, I’d be forever greatful.

I watch a ton of NBA games, but during the season I tend to wear my green colored glasses and focus all my energy on my beloved Boston Celtics. Since they are now fishing in Dingle, Ireland, I have time to ponder other teams and players.

1. I want to stab my eardrums with a rusty fork every time I hear Kanye’s “Amazing”… overkill. Just stop it.
2. I’m really glad I don’t have to watch those tiny bus commercials anymore.
3. I can’t decide if I think those Kobe/Lebron puppet commercials are funny or the worst thing I’ve ever seen.
4. The Spike Lee documentary, “Kobe Doin’ Work” was the biggest waste of an hour and a half I’ll ever spend. Watching Kobe try and craft/manipulate his legacy just puts me in a bad mood. I hate it when people try to disguise PR as something else. It insults my intelligence.
5. I don’t like Dwight Howard. There, I said it. Most people think he’s a lovable manchild. I think he’s an immature buck passer with crappy leadership skills. I’ve been watching him for 3 years and he’s only marginally matured in that time. On the other hand, I love pretty much everyone else on his team.
6. The Kobe v. Lebron debate bores me, but for the record, Kobe is still the best player in the game and it isn’t even close. Jerry West is smoking the crack.
7. Following Jeanie Buss on Twitter is the best entertainment ever. First of all, this is her icon  Um, nice balls? Secondly, most of her tweets are like a red carpet celebrity roll call. Here’s a sample tweet: @JeanieBuss: John Mayer is here – girls going crazy. really?? I am forever a JT girl!!! Lol. That’s solid entertainment right there. I don’t care who ya are.
8. Do you ever bolt upright in bed in the middle of the night in a sweat and think, “I want — no! — I need to see Lamar Odom in a fly vest and suit hoodie! NOW!” Well, Hornets Hype has all you can handle. Behold…

Dwight Howard seems like a nice enough guy, so I really didn’t want to pull out the big guns. But, considering he forced a game 7 against my team and GUARANTEED a series win, he really left me no choice. No choice at all.

Here kitty kitty… I’ve got something for you.

An entire arena filled with GREEN! Consider it your kryptonite and go away quietly so we can take on the monster that is Lebron. I saved my duct tape, hypnotizing wheel, and voodoo doll from last season, so I have everything I need to handle him.

If that doesn’t work, maybe this guy can help us out:

I’m hearing Patrick Ewing is guaranteeing a Magic win over the Celtics too. What’s in the water down there in Florida? From Dwight, it’s false bravado, but from an assistant coach, it’s pretty bush league. You can’t guarantee wins at this level. I wouldn’t guarantee a win when we were playing the Clippers earlier this season and we were the defending champs. Good for me that I didn’t, because we lost that game. Any team can lose on any night. Certain teams have a higher probability, obviously, but anything can happen. That’s why only chumps make guarantees.

Related news:

• WEEI: Ewing Guarantees Victory over Celtics
• Boston Globe: Rivers smiles about Ewing’s prediction

Playoffs Game 6
Celtics @ Magic 75-83

Come on now. We all knew it was going 7. Back to Boston, baby! Bbbbbbbbbbring it on…

Playoffs Game 5
Celtics v. Magic 92-88

That was an amazing 4th quarter. Props to Stephon Marbury for being the catalyst offensively to kick off the run. This game was a perfect example of how superior the Celtics are from a mental standpoint. Physically the Magic should be killing us and at times they are, but mentally, the Celtics just never quit. Post-game, Dwight Howard was blaming Van Gundy and his teammates for not getting him enough touches. That sounds a lot like Dwight’s complaints a couple of years ago when they got swept by the Pistons in the playoffs and Brian Hill got fired. It’s always someone else’s fault. That’s a big problem that holds the Magic back in my opinion. He needs to develop the maturity and leadership skills to go along with his immense talent.

Fast forward to today and Dwight has guaranteed that his team will win tonight and win the series. Hmm, sounds an awful lot like last season when Jameer guaranteed a win for the Magic against the Pistons. How’d that turn out? (Hint: Not good.) I’m not a fan of guarantees. I think they make you look like a dick. If you don’t win, you look like a fool. If you do win, you look like a genius motivator. I don’t know what will happen. My guess is that Orlando wins tonight and Boston wins game 7 in Boston on Sunday. But, I’m not a dick, so I won’t guarantee it.

Related news:

• CelticsBlog: On Dwight Howard At the Offensive End
• Red’s Army: “We are going to win this series”
• TalkHoops.net: Dwight Howard Questions Stan Van Gundy
• Celtics Hub: Preview: Game Six: Not so fast…
• Garbage Time All-Stars: Playoff Journal: Celtics