Most relieved guy in the building for the Magic has to be Stan Van Gundy. After witnessing LeBron play 1 on 1 for a quarter and personally score or hand out scores on every possession, Van Gundy was able to sit back and relax as the Cavs reverted back to Plan B. Or maybe it was their Plan A. Who knows?
Mike Brown's decision to play team ball and share the ball and rely on Wiliams, West, Szcerbiak and Gibson to win Game 6 on the road will be contested by critics throughout the offseason. Even the announcers were asking, 'when are they going to put the ball back into LeBron's hands?'
We won't know now. The Magic advance and the King's eyes turn to the Big Apple. Coach Brown should consider himself lucky he is not the Knicks coach because they would be running him out of town this morning on WFAN.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Spelling Bee?
Why is the Spelling Bee on ESPN?
This is not a sport.
Shoot arrows at them while they're spelling and maybe we got a sport.
Have The Birdman spell vs. JR Smith and maybe we got something watchable.
This is not a sport.
Shoot arrows at them while they're spelling and maybe we got a sport.
Have The Birdman spell vs. JR Smith and maybe we got something watchable.
Finally the 1-4 Flat
Mike Brown must have went to see Merlin the Wizard for the magic elixir.
Finally! Finally! He put the ball in The King's hands and got the rest of the bums spaced and out of the way. 1-4 Attack with LBJ with the ball at the top, West and Williams on the wings flat and out of the way and the two post players near the hoop.
LeBron drives and scores/shoots/scores/shoots and occasionally passes to the shooters or dumps to the bigs for a layup.
Not rocket science that is for sure. If the Cavs would have done this for 4 games they would have advanced by now.
The big adjustment will be whether Van Gundy goes Zone when LBJ has the ball at the top.
Finally! Finally! He put the ball in The King's hands and got the rest of the bums spaced and out of the way. 1-4 Attack with LBJ with the ball at the top, West and Williams on the wings flat and out of the way and the two post players near the hoop.
LeBron drives and scores/shoots/scores/shoots and occasionally passes to the shooters or dumps to the bigs for a layup.
Not rocket science that is for sure. If the Cavs would have done this for 4 games they would have advanced by now.
The big adjustment will be whether Van Gundy goes Zone when LBJ has the ball at the top.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Matchup Problems for Cavs?
I don't understand the defensive matchup problems that the Cavs have? They can't handle Rashard Lewis at the Power Forward? Why not go with LBJ in that matchup? If Z can't handle Howard, go with Ben Wallace! Seems to me that that solves the dilemma.
The biggest problem for the Cavs is that all the secondary shooters whom they acquired to play next to/with/along with LeBron are coming up as 'frauds'.
Sch-mo Williams, De-lame-te West, Boob-less Williams, Alesandra Pav-lo-dick are bums! They can't cover and they can make a shot that matters.
Play Szcerbiak like they did when they made their last title run, at least, play him before he reverts back to his normal self --- Szcerbi-yak!
The biggest problem for the Cavs is that all the secondary shooters whom they acquired to play next to/with/along with LeBron are coming up as 'frauds'.
Sch-mo Williams, De-lame-te West, Boob-less Williams, Alesandra Pav-lo-dick are bums! They can't cover and they can make a shot that matters.
Play Szcerbiak like they did when they made their last title run, at least, play him before he reverts back to his normal self --- Szcerbi-yak!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Best Coaching Line of Night
George Karl during a timeout (I'm paraphrasing)
when Kobe comes down the court with the ball in the open floor one-on-one, we need to not only have someone pick him up but we all need all five guys to cover Kobe! When Kobe has the ball, all 5 guys have him, not just one guy
Not bad advice.
GK might want to add "and don't throw the ball to the other team on the last possession"
when Kobe comes down the court with the ball in the open floor one-on-one, we need to not only have someone pick him up but we all need all five guys to cover Kobe! When Kobe has the ball, all 5 guys have him, not just one guy
Not bad advice.
GK might want to add "and don't throw the ball to the other team on the last possession"
Ridiculous vs. Ludicrous
Who is playing more 'ridiculously' right now?
Kobe or LeBron?
LeBron brings me out of my seat every night but what Kobe did last night was 'ridiculous'.
His turnaround on the baseline over JR Smith as well as his eyeball 3pter with about a minute to go, cmon!
Kobe or LeBron?
LeBron brings me out of my seat every night but what Kobe did last night was 'ridiculous'.
His turnaround on the baseline over JR Smith as well as his eyeball 3pter with about a minute to go, cmon!
Inbounding the Basketball
First, get someone who can pass! This would eliminate Kenyon Martin right away. I suggest Chauncey Billups. See the Nuggets want to get the ball to Billups because he will make good decisions with the ball but if he doesn't get the ball from the guy who is going to make the wrong decision he won't be able to make the right decision......
Second, get a passer to inbounds the ball.
Third, get someone who can pass to take it inbounds.
Second, get a passer to inbounds the ball.
Third, get someone who can pass to take it inbounds.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The King!
Unbelievable ending to last night's game. Two things to consider. One, anybody who says they don't watch the NBA because they don't play defense and the college game is just better, is a loon. Two, how do you let LBJ get that shot. I would think you would have to triple team him, one in front, one in back and one on his side. Let any one else on the team take that shot, anyone!
Also, must add if LeBron didn't pass to SCHMO Williams in the first game the Cavs would have been up 2-0 right now. SCHMO was a whopping 7-21 again last night. Does this guy realize he's wide open and no one is guarding him.
Also, must add if LeBron didn't pass to SCHMO Williams in the first game the Cavs would have been up 2-0 right now. SCHMO was a whopping 7-21 again last night. Does this guy realize he's wide open and no one is guarding him.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Clippers Pick #1
The only crime worse than the Clippers picking number 1 in hoops is the Detroit Lions getting the #1 pick in the NFL draft. Geez, do the weak just keep getting weaker!
Greatest Game
NBA semis prove why this is the greatest game. Kobe goes for 40, Melo throws down 38 in same game and LeBron goes for 49 to top it off last night.
And the Magic pull the unlikely come from behind upset while the Nuggets were oh so close to pulling one off at the Staples Center.
Going to see how Cleveland responds if the Magic take both games in Orlando. How about Van Gundy saying in the timeout "look for the big on little matchup, use your ball moves and score"...they come out of TO, Lewis gets matched with Verajo, ball fakes low, brings defenders hands down, and shoots over him for game winner.
Guess the Coach of Panic was right on for this one. Sometimes the message is 'panicky' but the 'right one'
And the Magic pull the unlikely come from behind upset while the Nuggets were oh so close to pulling one off at the Staples Center.
Going to see how Cleveland responds if the Magic take both games in Orlando. How about Van Gundy saying in the timeout "look for the big on little matchup, use your ball moves and score"...they come out of TO, Lewis gets matched with Verajo, ball fakes low, brings defenders hands down, and shoots over him for game winner.
Guess the Coach of Panic was right on for this one. Sometimes the message is 'panicky' but the 'right one'
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Horse Racing Update
Rachel Alexander, the favorite won. If you bet $5 dollars, then you won $9 dollars. That's about it.
Although the WP did have a photo of the crowd last year when drinking on the infield was allowed and this year's crowd when alcoholic beverages were prohibited.
Big difference in the crowd. So I think it's safe to assume that horse racing much like car racing is better with beer!
Although the WP did have a photo of the crowd last year when drinking on the infield was allowed and this year's crowd when alcoholic beverages were prohibited.
Big difference in the crowd. So I think it's safe to assume that horse racing much like car racing is better with beer!
Lakers Win
Front line played well with Gasol and surprisingly Bynum playing better than they have throughout the series. Ariza and Fisher hit shots early which helped. Kobe, after Spike Lee's incredible show about him last night, played relatively tame today. I surely thought he would come out and take 60 shots.
The Rockets were stifled on the Pick and Roll and really didn't get many good shots throughout the game. I think Jeff Van Gundy was correct with his assessment of the lack of a lowpost player to drop the ball into. The Rockets just seemed to be probing around the perimeter looking for jumpshots.
Still got to be on record as saying the Lakers will beat the Nuggetts. As an old coach of mine use to say, "don't rely on unreliables", which the Denver team is filled with!
The Rockets were stifled on the Pick and Roll and really didn't get many good shots throughout the game. I think Jeff Van Gundy was correct with his assessment of the lack of a lowpost player to drop the ball into. The Rockets just seemed to be probing around the perimeter looking for jumpshots.
Still got to be on record as saying the Lakers will beat the Nuggetts. As an old coach of mine use to say, "don't rely on unreliables", which the Denver team is filled with!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Old School Hoops
Going to go on record and say that the Laker coaches in their prime would beat the current Lakers.
Here's the lineup Brian Shaw and Craig Hodges at Guard, Kurt Rambis and Phil "Action Jackson" at Forward and Kareem Abdul-Jabbat Center. (My sub would have to be Jim Cleamons who might have been a better player than Brian Shaw now that I think about it)
The current Lakers are better at Guard but the Coaches win the Front Line Battle!
Just a thought.
Here's the lineup Brian Shaw and Craig Hodges at Guard, Kurt Rambis and Phil "Action Jackson" at Forward and Kareem Abdul-Jabbat Center. (My sub would have to be Jim Cleamons who might have been a better player than Brian Shaw now that I think about it)
The current Lakers are better at Guard but the Coaches win the Front Line Battle!
Just a thought.
Hockey Intermission - The Caps
The Capitals captivated the DC area recently for their Andy Warhol 10 minutes of fame.
Then in Game 7 they went down 5-0 in the 2nd period and all the TV sets in the Metropolitan area quickly flipped back over to Pro Wrestling.
Redskins, NBA and College Hoops, then Hockey. But hey, the Caps still are more of a draw than the Nationals who have about as many fans as the old Prince William Canons.
Then in Game 7 they went down 5-0 in the 2nd period and all the TV sets in the Metropolitan area quickly flipped back over to Pro Wrestling.
Redskins, NBA and College Hoops, then Hockey. But hey, the Caps still are more of a draw than the Nationals who have about as many fans as the old Prince William Canons.
Laker Arrogance?
Some have speculated the the Lakers are not putting the Rockets away because they are arrogant and feel like they can just turn it off and on at a moment's notice.
Have to disagree and throw out the following excuse for their erratic play: the Lakers are not that talented once you get past Kobe and a somewhat soft but effective Pau Gasol.
Odom is a serviceable pro and is productive at times but he's floats in and out of games. Bynum is at times okay but seems to get in the way when he's not playing well.
Farmer, Fisher, Arizia, Brown, Walton, Vujacic are basically NBA roster players, they supply minutes for starters and subs to catch a break or breather.
Could be argued that Yao, Artest, Battier are a better front line and if not, they are considerably tougher!
Game 7 should be interesting.
Have to disagree and throw out the following excuse for their erratic play: the Lakers are not that talented once you get past Kobe and a somewhat soft but effective Pau Gasol.
Odom is a serviceable pro and is productive at times but he's floats in and out of games. Bynum is at times okay but seems to get in the way when he's not playing well.
Farmer, Fisher, Arizia, Brown, Walton, Vujacic are basically NBA roster players, they supply minutes for starters and subs to catch a break or breather.
Could be argued that Yao, Artest, Battier are a better front line and if not, they are considerably tougher!
Game 7 should be interesting.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Manny Ramiroidz
As the rock group, Queen, so affectionately put it "Another one bites the dust".
Why are people so alarmed by this? Stop testing baseball players! They are all on the juice.
Roger Clemens? Can't be! Alex Rodriguez? Can't be! Manny Ramirez? Can't be! Come on.
Might as well just pick any good baseball player right now that hasn't been caught, Jeter, Pujols, etc. Just give it time.
By the way, who cares about baseball anyway any more.
Why are people so alarmed by this? Stop testing baseball players! They are all on the juice.
Roger Clemens? Can't be! Alex Rodriguez? Can't be! Manny Ramirez? Can't be! Come on.
Might as well just pick any good baseball player right now that hasn't been caught, Jeter, Pujols, etc. Just give it time.
By the way, who cares about baseball anyway any more.
Pitino to Sacramento?
Already? We haven't even gotten really heated up yet with the recruiting of Louisville vs. Kentucky. I want to see how these two recruiters go up against each other. It will make for great news for the blogs and message board hounds.
Kobe Triangle vs. Battier
Anyone else out there noticing the Triangle Offense is slowing turning into the Kobe Triangle which used to be affectionately known as the Jordan Triangle?
By the way, Shane Battier might have given the best defensive performance by a guy who got lit up by 40 in game two. He was tight to Kobe and had a hand in his face all night, spectacular defense.
Kobe is proving why he is the '2nd best player in the game'
By the way, Shane Battier might have given the best defensive performance by a guy who got lit up by 40 in game two. He was tight to Kobe and had a hand in his face all night, spectacular defense.
Kobe is proving why he is the '2nd best player in the game'
Chuck Daly
Sad news to hear that Original Dream Team coach, Coach Daly, died today. Class act who led the Bad Boys of Detroit to the NBA title. Scary to think about those Pistons teams over the years with Isaiah, Joe Dumars, Microwave Vinnie Johnson, Salley, Dennis Rodman, Laimbeer, James Edwards, etc.
I think it would be fair to say that those Pistons would have beat the later version 2004 of Billups, Hamilton, Rasheed, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace.
Who says teams are more talented nowadays?
I think it would be fair to say that those Pistons would have beat the later version 2004 of Billups, Hamilton, Rasheed, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace.
Who says teams are more talented nowadays?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Brett Favre
Time to go away!
Great career with the Packers but by the end was holding them captive with his legacy. Gets one more stint last year with the Jets, plays well for half the season and then tears biceps which renders him a shell of himself.
Now contemplating return to the Vikings who have QB issues of their own. Someone needs to tell Brett to make room for others. Let the young bucks have their chance. Another example of a 'great' using his 'greatness' to milk a few more years.
Trying to think of a hooper who did the same, maybe "Barkley" in a Suns uniform. Maybe "Shaq" in a Sun uniform..............I'm starting to see a pattern here.
Great career with the Packers but by the end was holding them captive with his legacy. Gets one more stint last year with the Jets, plays well for half the season and then tears biceps which renders him a shell of himself.
Now contemplating return to the Vikings who have QB issues of their own. Someone needs to tell Brett to make room for others. Let the young bucks have their chance. Another example of a 'great' using his 'greatness' to milk a few more years.
Trying to think of a hooper who did the same, maybe "Barkley" in a Suns uniform. Maybe "Shaq" in a Sun uniform..............I'm starting to see a pattern here.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
2nd Round Two Upsets
Celtics looked sluggish and had many ill-timed turnovers, especially Rondo. Rondo didn't play well down the stretch vs. Bulls in game 7 and didn't play well at all in opening game vs. Magic. He might be fatiguing.
Lakers were shooting jumpers and playing really soft and unengaged. They floated around looking for 3pters and jumpers in the lane. They had no low post play and the Rockets took advantage by using Yao and Scola to bang and play power basketball.
Prediction: one of these higher seeded teams is going to lose game 2 also. I'm going on a limb and say the Celtics.
Lakers were shooting jumpers and playing really soft and unengaged. They floated around looking for 3pters and jumpers in the lane. They had no low post play and the Rockets took advantage by using Yao and Scola to bang and play power basketball.
Prediction: one of these higher seeded teams is going to lose game 2 also. I'm going on a limb and say the Celtics.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Celtics Win Over Bulls
Shot selection and Turnovers. Somebody famous made the comment that there are two things good teams do: that take good shots and they don't turn the ball over. The Celtics down the stretch were taking layups and shots going to the basket and the open three ball. The Bulls were searching for shots and also over penetrating which led to some ill timed turnovers.
Celtics are very limited especially on the front line. Hard to believe that Kendrick Perkins can't be off the floor now. Luckily, the Magic doesn't really try to get the ball inside with Howard, they are more of a 3pt shooting team.
Celtics are very limited especially on the front line. Hard to believe that Kendrick Perkins can't be off the floor now. Luckily, the Magic doesn't really try to get the ball inside with Howard, they are more of a 3pt shooting team.
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