For the first time in the Zen Master's storied coaching career, he went out on a limb. On the wrong end of the broom. I'm not a Lakers fan, but Phil Jackson is one of the most respected coaches in the NBA. 11 titles in 20 or so seasons- correct me on this if I'm wrong. Having the best players in their prime and grooming them for success. Falling short of a fourth go-around for a three-peat. The Lakers were out rebounded, out run, and bullied and hammered at the three point line. In game 2, they couldn't hit a three pointer till the 4th quarter. The first and third games of the series were winnable but they collapsed in the fourth quarter, or rather, let the Mavs come from behind with momentum to hold on to the end.
And as for the final game, they came out looking defeated, frustrated that nothing could go right for them. It was clearly shown when Odom and Bynum had unnecessary elbows to Dirk/Barera's face/body when the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter. Both of them will most likely be suspended for the season opener come late October/early November. Poor sportsmanship. They were supposed to be playing like the defending champions, yes, they did but they were out of gas and tired and looked discontent and disenchanted. Matt Barnes and Steve Blake who were signed in the offseason to strengthen the bench were basically a non factor in the series. No production. And Kobe was shut down in the fourth quarter for all games. As what he said after game one, somewhere along the lines of "They (Dallas) could be the team that beats us," The Mavs did beat them. They tormented and exposed their defense and shut down the offense. And why did Kobe not take over the game and like he has in the past, scoring twenty points in the fourth quarter, driving to the basket, slashing, cutting through in the paint when the team needed a spark to get them going? That is probably something he should be thinking about.
The Mavs did not have their two-time all star, Caron Butler play a single minute since January when he got injured but they won. Jason Kidd, who will be in the hall of fame once he hangs up his shoes probably realized that this is last chance at winning a title before he retires, with Dirk still in his prime, and aging in the next few years...
Atlanta might have a legitimate chance of forcing a game 7 in Chicago and pushing the Bulls to the limit.
More later.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The NBA playoffs so far.
I've been telling myself to write more often but thanks to school and being a bum mostly, I have failed to deliver.
I don't intend to write formally all the time, just sharing my thoughts and whatever that comes out of my mind.
It's been a good 5 days since the Spurs have gone fishing at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. As a fan of the Duncan/Manu/Tony trio, this has been a tough pill to swallow. This was supposed to be the year. Tim Duncan is in the twilight of his career, those balky knees aren't going to hold up any much longer for good. Manu turns 34 in the summer. Antonio McDyess is 37. The whole team is aging. Matt Bonner, the clutch red rocket who was clutch in nailing 3 pointers is 31. Similar to Richard Jefferson. Most of the teams stars are growing older and their peak has already passed.
On paper, the names would sound like a championship caliber team, however against Memphis, they crumbled and had youth win them over, running and gunning, led by Shane Battier's veteran leadership.
Memphis was not supposed to beat the Spurs and move on to the next round, but they did. It's starting to feel like Virginia Commonwealth all over again in March Madness which just happened 6 weeks ago. If Memphis beats Oklahoma City in this series and advances, they could well give the winner of the Lakers/Dallas series some serious fits and a huge scare. Memphis has a couple of no named players- Hamed Haddadi, Grevis Vasquez, and mostly blue collared guys who weren't much of an impact on previous teams they were on, but here they've survived. Oh, and Rudy Gay is not even playing cause he's injured. How did they get there? Youth and determination.
Atlanta advanced, clearly being motivated after Jameer Nelson telling Derrick Rose the infamous statement "Catch you in the second round" on live tv. The Magic played like they were looking ahead and did not take the Hawks seriously, with a grain of salt. And when they started to care, it was too late. Not a big fan of Atlanta but they're a bump-and-grind it out team. They finally avenged their disastrous conference semifinals sweep in which they lost by about 25 points per game to the Magic. Now they face Chicago. I hope they beat up the Bulls and send them home... I mean, how awesome would it be to have the 5th seed make it to the Conference Finals? I'm just dreaming but it could happen, they beat the Bulls in game 1 so anything is possible!
Lakers/Dallas, this should be a good series. Might have the potential to make it to 7 games. Both teams are strong, not a fan but the matchups are formidable. Dirk vs Kobe and their star studded supporting cast.
Boston/Miami, the aging Celtics could be sent fishing fast if they don't wake up and hit their shots fast enough. Miami's 3 headed monster of Wade/LeBron and Chris Bosh is alive and busting out their stuff.
I don't intend to write formally all the time, just sharing my thoughts and whatever that comes out of my mind.
It's been a good 5 days since the Spurs have gone fishing at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. As a fan of the Duncan/Manu/Tony trio, this has been a tough pill to swallow. This was supposed to be the year. Tim Duncan is in the twilight of his career, those balky knees aren't going to hold up any much longer for good. Manu turns 34 in the summer. Antonio McDyess is 37. The whole team is aging. Matt Bonner, the clutch red rocket who was clutch in nailing 3 pointers is 31. Similar to Richard Jefferson. Most of the teams stars are growing older and their peak has already passed.
On paper, the names would sound like a championship caliber team, however against Memphis, they crumbled and had youth win them over, running and gunning, led by Shane Battier's veteran leadership.
Memphis was not supposed to beat the Spurs and move on to the next round, but they did. It's starting to feel like Virginia Commonwealth all over again in March Madness which just happened 6 weeks ago. If Memphis beats Oklahoma City in this series and advances, they could well give the winner of the Lakers/Dallas series some serious fits and a huge scare. Memphis has a couple of no named players- Hamed Haddadi, Grevis Vasquez, and mostly blue collared guys who weren't much of an impact on previous teams they were on, but here they've survived. Oh, and Rudy Gay is not even playing cause he's injured. How did they get there? Youth and determination.
Atlanta advanced, clearly being motivated after Jameer Nelson telling Derrick Rose the infamous statement "Catch you in the second round" on live tv. The Magic played like they were looking ahead and did not take the Hawks seriously, with a grain of salt. And when they started to care, it was too late. Not a big fan of Atlanta but they're a bump-and-grind it out team. They finally avenged their disastrous conference semifinals sweep in which they lost by about 25 points per game to the Magic. Now they face Chicago. I hope they beat up the Bulls and send them home... I mean, how awesome would it be to have the 5th seed make it to the Conference Finals? I'm just dreaming but it could happen, they beat the Bulls in game 1 so anything is possible!
Lakers/Dallas, this should be a good series. Might have the potential to make it to 7 games. Both teams are strong, not a fan but the matchups are formidable. Dirk vs Kobe and their star studded supporting cast.
Boston/Miami, the aging Celtics could be sent fishing fast if they don't wake up and hit their shots fast enough. Miami's 3 headed monster of Wade/LeBron and Chris Bosh is alive and busting out their stuff.
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