While watching the NBA draft unfold, a few thoughts...
First off, its going to be pretty tough for the Clippers to underachieve again next year. Blake Griffin gives them a lot of good, young players. Don't get me wrong--I still think Mike Dunleavy can have this team back in next year's lottery; it's a tradition unlike any other (outside the city limits of Detroit). But he definitely has his work cut out for him.
Minnesota realizes you can't play 4 point guards at a time, right? Ok, so they're supposed to move Ty Lawson, but still-- Ricky Rubio, Jonny Flynn and Sebastian Telfair are all pretty similar, right? By the way, in the last 12 years, 3 NYC PGs for the Wolves-- Starbury, Telfair and now Jonny Flynn. Mixed results across the board... not to mention Rubio dropping a third person refrence in his interview with Mark Jones: "I'm Ricky Rubio. I'm not like anyone else."
Well then...
Interesting how the Warriors basically C-blocked the Knicks for Steph Curry. You don't suppose Don Nelson is still bitter about that Jamal Crawford trade with New York, huh? Nah...
Speaking of the Warriors, not a big fan of AC Law, but if they can spin some players around to get Stoudamire from the Suns... Golden State will be the most exciting team to watch in the league. If Anthony Randolph gets more minutes, the GSW will be back-- mark my words.
What's with Brandon Jennings not being at the draft, only driving over once he got picked for the photo op? For someone who made waves about being a primma donna after skipping college for Europe, this isn't excatly refuting the point. So how exactly do the Bucks expect him to be happy in Milwaukee? I guess he's supposed to be pretty good, but I have to think a guy that jumps ship to go to Italy over the NCAAs will be counting down the days until he can get the hell out of Wisconsin.
Look, I'm glad Dick Vitale loves Tyler Hansbrough, but are we really thinking this was a good pick for a lottery team? So many point guards to choose from... hmm, nope. No, I've got to have the UNC version of Christian Laettner on my team. Gotta do it.
When they interviewed Steve Kerr about the Suns' moves, he looked about as thrilled as a guy whose wife just guilted him into eating a salad at a steakhouse. He'll get a free pass for the team's pending collapse because the media loves him and the owner is a cheapskate, but if I'm Steve Nash, I'm finding out where Kerr parked his car, and I'm slashing his tires.
When the Mavs took BJ Mullens, it took a solid seven seconds before anybody had anything to sa, before Jay Bilas got coerced into saying, "well, he just needs to learn the game of basketball." That can't be a good sign.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Now THAT was a good game...
Game four of the NBA Finals was definitely intriguing. Anyone that knows me knows that I don't like Derek Fisher, but I mean... wow. Those two threes were huge--even if the second one should have been an offensive foul on Kobe. Bryant is looking right at Jameer Nelson, when throws an elbow, hitting him square in the jaw-- no foul. Are you kidding me? I realize its overtime, and I know Kobe gets the star treatment--but that was ridiculous. Those are the kind of plays Fisher usually makes (the elbow, not the three)...
Second thought-- how is it that hard to inbound the ball? It seemed every time Turkoglu tried to bring the ball in late in the game, he struggled to find anyone to take the ball. I guess the Lakers are really good at defending them (just ask the Nuggets), but its hard to imagine why they have struggled so much there-- I like Pietrus and all, but he is the last guy I want shooting at the end of the game for Orlando.
On the flip side, you have to think Orlando wouldn't mind having Trevor Ariza back on their team about now--or at the very least anywere other than the Lakers. His energy in the third quarter (not to mention the 13 points) really sparked LA.
As for Magic shooters, man Rashard Lewis struggled. He was nowhere near the player he had been in the last two games. Between his disappearance act, all the turnovers, and a large number of missed free throws, this was Orlando's game to win. I realize the series is already 3-1 Lakers, so this might not be overly profound, but I can't see a team bouncing back from a game like that and still win the series.
One other quick note on free throws-- you realize LA went from 1:28 in the third quarter to 3 seconds left in OT without a free throw? Wowsers...
Speaking of that flagrant on Pietrus, let me say this. Pau Gasol is a very good player, but he is a punk. When you are up 7 with the game no longer in doubt, you don't dunk the ball-- at least not on the road. You turn around, dribble out the clock and celebrate. Instead, Pietrus did what I think most other players would do--he took exception. And then Gasol, instead of turning the other cheek, or at the very least high-fiving teammates and giving a gloating smile; taunts Pietrus and tries to pick a fight. Really? Really Gasol? Why don't you stick to screaming like a banshee everytime you go up for a layup, and hit the deck when Dwight Howard breathes on you. There is no call for the dunk, let alone the taunt.
But that shouldn't take away from the fact that LA hit the big shots, and as much as it kills me to say it, Derek Fisher was huge.
Second thought-- how is it that hard to inbound the ball? It seemed every time Turkoglu tried to bring the ball in late in the game, he struggled to find anyone to take the ball. I guess the Lakers are really good at defending them (just ask the Nuggets), but its hard to imagine why they have struggled so much there-- I like Pietrus and all, but he is the last guy I want shooting at the end of the game for Orlando.
On the flip side, you have to think Orlando wouldn't mind having Trevor Ariza back on their team about now--or at the very least anywere other than the Lakers. His energy in the third quarter (not to mention the 13 points) really sparked LA.
As for Magic shooters, man Rashard Lewis struggled. He was nowhere near the player he had been in the last two games. Between his disappearance act, all the turnovers, and a large number of missed free throws, this was Orlando's game to win. I realize the series is already 3-1 Lakers, so this might not be overly profound, but I can't see a team bouncing back from a game like that and still win the series.
One other quick note on free throws-- you realize LA went from 1:28 in the third quarter to 3 seconds left in OT without a free throw? Wowsers...
Speaking of that flagrant on Pietrus, let me say this. Pau Gasol is a very good player, but he is a punk. When you are up 7 with the game no longer in doubt, you don't dunk the ball-- at least not on the road. You turn around, dribble out the clock and celebrate. Instead, Pietrus did what I think most other players would do--he took exception. And then Gasol, instead of turning the other cheek, or at the very least high-fiving teammates and giving a gloating smile; taunts Pietrus and tries to pick a fight. Really? Really Gasol? Why don't you stick to screaming like a banshee everytime you go up for a layup, and hit the deck when Dwight Howard breathes on you. There is no call for the dunk, let alone the taunt.
But that shouldn't take away from the fact that LA hit the big shots, and as much as it kills me to say it, Derek Fisher was huge.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Then again, maybe not...
So much for the NBA Finals being a cake walk. Make no mistake-- the Lakers are still the heavy favorites in this one. But at least Orlando proved they can show up on the stage, and could very well take a game or perhaps even two at home. Hedo Turkoglu was very good--especially on Kobe at the end of the 4th and in OT. His length bothered Kobe enough to prevent a step back jumper, and even though Kobe is about 1.5 steps faster, that great swat at the end of regulation was huge.
Another plus for Orlando--Stan Van Gundy is a very good coach. His players may hate him (he calls them out more than any other coach in the league), but he always puts them in a position to succeed. The lob play to Courtney Lee obviously didn't work, but it was a great design, and if Lee catches the ball a little sooner and doesn't get caught behind the backboard, the magic would have stolen one.
As for the Lake show, Pau Gasol was much more aggressive. He is probably the only Laker other than Kobe to get borderline calls (there was very little contact on his and one in OT, and that pushing call on Dwight Howard was suspect at best). And the Lakers also did very well at the line, hitting 86 percent of their freebies.
One more huge factor for LA--Lamar Odom great defense on Rashard Lewis down the stretch. Lewis hit that one three where contorted his body and sneakers to stay inbounds and behind the arc. Otherwise, he was pretty quiet for Orlando--at least late (only 2 FGs in last 11 minutes of the game).
Game 3 should be interesting... which is more than I thought I would be able to say about game 2 after Thursday's opener.
Another plus for Orlando--Stan Van Gundy is a very good coach. His players may hate him (he calls them out more than any other coach in the league), but he always puts them in a position to succeed. The lob play to Courtney Lee obviously didn't work, but it was a great design, and if Lee catches the ball a little sooner and doesn't get caught behind the backboard, the magic would have stolen one.
As for the Lake show, Pau Gasol was much more aggressive. He is probably the only Laker other than Kobe to get borderline calls (there was very little contact on his and one in OT, and that pushing call on Dwight Howard was suspect at best). And the Lakers also did very well at the line, hitting 86 percent of their freebies.
One more huge factor for LA--Lamar Odom great defense on Rashard Lewis down the stretch. Lewis hit that one three where contorted his body and sneakers to stay inbounds and behind the arc. Otherwise, he was pretty quiet for Orlando--at least late (only 2 FGs in last 11 minutes of the game).
Game 3 should be interesting... which is more than I thought I would be able to say about game 2 after Thursday's opener.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
This Could Get Ugly
Game One of the Finals, both teams came in well rested. Both had plenty of time to go over scouting reports, get healthy, and prepare for Thursday's game one. But only the Lakers looked ready to play.
Los Angeles held Orlando in check like the 405, while on offense they pillaged Orlando's defense. Andrew Bynum was big early, and Kobe Bryant did just about everything right--scoring, passing, you name it-- he even gave great sneer to the camera following an and-one.
After one game, this series looks cooked. Dwight Howard does not have a wide array of post moves, and if he gets in foul trouble, suddenly those open looks from 3-point range close up quickly. Mickael Pietrus was awful in the first half. Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson were the only players that looked ready for prime time; a testiment to Nelson, who hadn't played since February.
But when Luke Walton is pulling a TI and having whatever he likes, safe to say things are not going Stan Van Gundy's way. I said Lakers in 6, but right now I don't see Orlando getting two games.
Los Angeles held Orlando in check like the 405, while on offense they pillaged Orlando's defense. Andrew Bynum was big early, and Kobe Bryant did just about everything right--scoring, passing, you name it-- he even gave great sneer to the camera following an and-one.
After one game, this series looks cooked. Dwight Howard does not have a wide array of post moves, and if he gets in foul trouble, suddenly those open looks from 3-point range close up quickly. Mickael Pietrus was awful in the first half. Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson were the only players that looked ready for prime time; a testiment to Nelson, who hadn't played since February.
But when Luke Walton is pulling a TI and having whatever he likes, safe to say things are not going Stan Van Gundy's way. I said Lakers in 6, but right now I don't see Orlando getting two games.
Monday, June 1, 2009
WNBA Uniforms: Selling Out?
No, just the right move for the right league. Everyone loves to bash the WNBA because of what it is not. Rather than poking holes in women's basketball, though, let me take a quick moment to point out what it does well.
First off, it allows females to make a living through athletics in a team sport. Second point-- the WNBA inspires young women to play organized sports. And the third plus of the WNBA is that it keeps women's college basketball strong, in providing a professional outlet. Yes, it would still exist without the WNBA, but the health of women's college athletics is directly related to the health of the WNBA.
This leads me back to the original topic: the WNBA is selling advertisements on their jerseys, with team names taking a back seat (logos are still visible, but less dominant). Purists will cry foul, that it is a desecration of national sport. But right now, the WNBA is in financial trouble--slightly better than GM, but tough times abound. Teams have folded, and the NBA will not be able to prop up the franchises the way they have in the past. Thus, the need for more sponsorships has lead to this. Critics will point to the fact that teams become less identifiable. And truth be told, most avid sports fans probably couldn't name more than five or six teams. But the jerseys aren't the problem.
Obviously, teams in Europe (and the MLS) already do this, I don't hear Manchester United fans crying foul over corporate sponsors. Or, take NASCAR for example--if there is a visible square inch on a car, chances are it has a sticker. Not to mention individual athletes, men and women.
Michael Wilbon made a good comparison today-- WNBA and newspapers. His point was simple enough: desperate times call for desperate measures. So you can decry crumbling values and stand by your principles all you want. However, business ethics are a give and take. So kudos to the WNBA for taking what they could get, and hopefully they will stick around...
First off, it allows females to make a living through athletics in a team sport. Second point-- the WNBA inspires young women to play organized sports. And the third plus of the WNBA is that it keeps women's college basketball strong, in providing a professional outlet. Yes, it would still exist without the WNBA, but the health of women's college athletics is directly related to the health of the WNBA.
This leads me back to the original topic: the WNBA is selling advertisements on their jerseys, with team names taking a back seat (logos are still visible, but less dominant). Purists will cry foul, that it is a desecration of national sport. But right now, the WNBA is in financial trouble--slightly better than GM, but tough times abound. Teams have folded, and the NBA will not be able to prop up the franchises the way they have in the past. Thus, the need for more sponsorships has lead to this. Critics will point to the fact that teams become less identifiable. And truth be told, most avid sports fans probably couldn't name more than five or six teams. But the jerseys aren't the problem.
Obviously, teams in Europe (and the MLS) already do this, I don't hear Manchester United fans crying foul over corporate sponsors. Or, take NASCAR for example--if there is a visible square inch on a car, chances are it has a sticker. Not to mention individual athletes, men and women.
Michael Wilbon made a good comparison today-- WNBA and newspapers. His point was simple enough: desperate times call for desperate measures. So you can decry crumbling values and stand by your principles all you want. However, business ethics are a give and take. So kudos to the WNBA for taking what they could get, and hopefully they will stick around...
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