NBA fans know the history of Lebron James. An Ohio native, he toiled away in his early years desperately trying to win a title for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though he and they made it to the Finals here and there, the Cavs could never quite get over the top. It was the classic example of how one guy, despite how ridiculously talented he is, can't get it done in a team sport.
So off to Miami where he teamed up with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and a better all-around supporting cast. James would win two titles there, but the attempt for a three-peat would be quashed by the San Antonio Spurs. The Heat appeared to be fading while the Spurs were on another up-swing. Plus the Golden State Warriors were quickly coming together as a powerhouse. Lebron likely saw the handwriting on the wall. He wasn't going to win another championship if he stayed with the Heat. The cream of the crop out west was just too good and getting better.
And no doubt, somewhere in his head remained the desire to bring glory to Cleveland. So he went back. Though the Cavs' management structure, from ownership on down to head coach was, and still is almost comical -- they had somehow found a way to land a couple other terrific players. Enter Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.
One need only remember what happened just last year. Lebron led the Cavs back into the NBA Finals, and at one point were ahead of the Golden State Warriors 2 games to 1. We know how that worked out. The Bay Boys would storm back and capture the title.
But Irving and Love were already out with season-ending injuries. Once again, Lebron got oh-so-close in Cleveland, only to come up short. He put on quite the one-man show, but the Warriors as a team were too much.
Fast forward to the present. Irving and Love are back and healthy. Predictably, the Cavs swept the hapless Detroit Pistons in the opening round of the playoffs, and appear they will do the same to the Atlanta Hawks in Round 2. Now already down 0-3, the Hawks are just trying to save face by maybe winning a single game. It's a foregone conclusion the Cavs will move on.
Then they will face the winner of the Miami/Toronto series in the Eastern Conference finals. Few would doubt the Cavs will roll through that series as well to be back in the NBA Finals. It seems to have been their destiny all year long. The only question was who would emerge out of the wild wild west to face them?
That question remains unanswered. The usual wannabes have already been dispatched (see LA Clips). San Antonio is in a dogfight with Okla City, and Golden State is trying to hang on against the Portland Trail Blazers without the services of Steph Curry.
Most think GS and SA will prevail and slug it out against themselves in the Western Conference finals. Likely a toss-up series if their ever was one. Both teams are really, really good, but have different styles of play. Nonetheless, only one of them can survive. And if it's indeed a SA and GS match-up, it will likely be a long brutal series.
If the Cavs can cruise to the Finals while their potential competition is beating each other's brains out, it would definitely be in their favor. They get to rest, watch, and study BOTH teams. Sure, most NBA players are in world-class tip-top shape, and their bodies recover quickly after a grueling game.
But somewhere along the line the long season, and all the travel that's involved, plus running the gauntlet of physical play in the playoffs has to take its toll on some level.
True, the Cavs hired a clueless coach in David Blatt, finally (DUH) fired him, and then brought in another whozit in Tyronn Lue to take over, but that's just Cleveland being Cleveland. Despite front office ineptness, the team itself seems to be on auto-pilot. They can definitely play.
Lebron Ramone James is exactly where he wants to be. In Cleveland, with a strong supporting cast, including two of All-Star quality (like he had in Miami).
There are those that think whichever team emerges from the West (especially GS or SA) will be favored to go on and win the NBA championship. And they might be right.
Then again, don't sleep on Lebron and his second go-round with the Cavaliers.
This just might be the year he finally gets it done.
And can you imagine? Cleveland hasn't celebrated a professional championship -- in ANY sport -- since way back in 1964. They'd go crazy. Zebra mussels would hop up on shore and dance. Guv Kasich might decide to run for Pope (hell, he's run for everything else). John Boehner might turn orange again. Hordes of Buckeyes running amok could start a grass-roots movement to have Lebron's likeness be the fifth carved on Mount Rushmore. Owner Dan Gilbert's mug might take the place of George Washington's on the dollar bill. How scary would that be? This could get out of control.
Still, it would be pretty cool to see a super-star return to his "home" town and finally bring it a championship.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Friday, May 6, 2016
Coloring by numbers
If one was an Oklahoma City Thunder fan in attendance at the game against the San Antonio Spurs, they would likely consider it team spirit -- even solidarity.
But to others, at least yours truly, it was sort of spooky.
That would be the color scheme the fans sported in Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Thunder.
One entire section was clad in blue shirts, the next in white, and they alternated all the way around the building.
That begs a few questions ---- how does such a phenomenon come to be?
Are we to believe every person in every seat is a season ticket holder? Does the team pre-mail them to their most faithful followers with instructions to wear blue/white to any given game, depending on which section their seats are in?
Perhaps they're handed out at the various entry gates upon arrival. The ticket takers check which section a fan's seat is in and gives him/her either white/blue. Who knows?
What we DO know is the fans fall in line like lemmings -- or your average hard-core Republican or Democrat partisan. They don't know why they're marching up a cliff only to plunge to their doom or vote for certain candidates (sometimes eerily similar) -- they just do -- because they're "supposed" to. The team or party said so, and that's good enough for them. Did I mention spooky?
For the sake of argument, let's assume these shirts are handed out at the arena when fans show up for the game. But that begs more questions. If the fans already know they're going to get assigned shirts to don for the game, what are they wearing when they show up? Something else they pull the blue or white shirt over? Or are they bare chested or in bras only?
And what might happen if a fan had already plopped down the big bucks for a playoff ticket, but decided not to fall in line and didn't wear the shirt he/she was assigned? Would they be escorted out of the arena and flogged for insubordination?
Perhaps we'll never know, because participation appeared to be unanimous. One section all blue, the next all white, and repeated all the way around. It's probably a good thing the Thunder wasn't handing out white robes with tall pointy white hats to all those entering the arena. Such a clannish spectacle would have created quite the media buzz, not to mention being somewhat intimidating to many of the players.
But one never knows what a team will come up with next in the way of silly promotions. They DO know their fans are typically easily led by the nose and will buy into just about anything -- or wear anything they think somehow supports their team.
Alas, despite the Okies dutifully donning their white and blue to go watch their millionaires play, their team would go down in Game 3 to defeat at the hands of the Spurs.
Did they get to keep the shirts on the way out or are they taken back to be re-issued to the next crowd? Unknown.
Hey, if they want to do something original, surely Thunder management can come up with something more imaginative for Game 4 then blue and white shirts by section. Do it by individual seats with every shirt fitting into a grand color scheme.
How about something in a paisley? Or a giant gaping Kardashian butt that looks like it might snap shut on the whole court at any second. Now, THAT would be original. Scary for sure, but a lot more interesting than blue and white.
Parting thought. The Thunder plays in Oklahoma City -- right? So how did they wind up naming their home building Chesapeake Energy Arena? Last time I looked, Chesapeake Bay was still on the east coast. You know, Maryland, Virginia, and that area. It's a mighty long ways from Okieland. So what were they thinking?
But to others, at least yours truly, it was sort of spooky.
That would be the color scheme the fans sported in Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Thunder.
One entire section was clad in blue shirts, the next in white, and they alternated all the way around the building.
That begs a few questions ---- how does such a phenomenon come to be?
Are we to believe every person in every seat is a season ticket holder? Does the team pre-mail them to their most faithful followers with instructions to wear blue/white to any given game, depending on which section their seats are in?
Perhaps they're handed out at the various entry gates upon arrival. The ticket takers check which section a fan's seat is in and gives him/her either white/blue. Who knows?
What we DO know is the fans fall in line like lemmings -- or your average hard-core Republican or Democrat partisan. They don't know why they're marching up a cliff only to plunge to their doom or vote for certain candidates (sometimes eerily similar) -- they just do -- because they're "supposed" to. The team or party said so, and that's good enough for them. Did I mention spooky?
For the sake of argument, let's assume these shirts are handed out at the arena when fans show up for the game. But that begs more questions. If the fans already know they're going to get assigned shirts to don for the game, what are they wearing when they show up? Something else they pull the blue or white shirt over? Or are they bare chested or in bras only?
And what might happen if a fan had already plopped down the big bucks for a playoff ticket, but decided not to fall in line and didn't wear the shirt he/she was assigned? Would they be escorted out of the arena and flogged for insubordination?
Perhaps we'll never know, because participation appeared to be unanimous. One section all blue, the next all white, and repeated all the way around. It's probably a good thing the Thunder wasn't handing out white robes with tall pointy white hats to all those entering the arena. Such a clannish spectacle would have created quite the media buzz, not to mention being somewhat intimidating to many of the players.
But one never knows what a team will come up with next in the way of silly promotions. They DO know their fans are typically easily led by the nose and will buy into just about anything -- or wear anything they think somehow supports their team.
Alas, despite the Okies dutifully donning their white and blue to go watch their millionaires play, their team would go down in Game 3 to defeat at the hands of the Spurs.
Did they get to keep the shirts on the way out or are they taken back to be re-issued to the next crowd? Unknown.
Hey, if they want to do something original, surely Thunder management can come up with something more imaginative for Game 4 then blue and white shirts by section. Do it by individual seats with every shirt fitting into a grand color scheme.
How about something in a paisley? Or a giant gaping Kardashian butt that looks like it might snap shut on the whole court at any second. Now, THAT would be original. Scary for sure, but a lot more interesting than blue and white.
Parting thought. The Thunder plays in Oklahoma City -- right? So how did they wind up naming their home building Chesapeake Energy Arena? Last time I looked, Chesapeake Bay was still on the east coast. You know, Maryland, Virginia, and that area. It's a mighty long ways from Okieland. So what were they thinking?
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Spoofing names and initials
If the New England Patriots are commonly called the Pats, and the Jacksonville Jaguars the Jags, what should we call the Tennessee Titans for short? Hmm.
And while on the subject of possibly riling up the lady fans, dare we come up with an abbreviated name for the Charlotte Hornets? Yikes, that could get ugly in the morning.
A generation ago, jolly old England gave us Princess Di. Sadly, that's exactly what happened in a car crash.
It is interesting to note the initials of the President of the United States. He's even been referred to as "BO". But the letters themselves have long had another not-so-good connotation. BO, as in body odor. Could it be?
And between his wife and kids we have a Michelle, Malia Ann, and Natasha. Add it all up and America's first family consists of a BO, a MO, a MAO, and a NO. Natasha is more well known by a pet name. Sasha. SO?
On the other hand, we have Melania Trump, the latest and greatest wife of the Donald. Her initials are obviously MT. Look into her eyes and listen closely when she speaks. "Empty" would seem to be the perfect moniker.
Longtime Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski's name has been shortened to just Coach K. Probably because nobody knew how to spell or pronounce it -- maybe even him. Everybody's cool with just "Coach Kay".
But what about legendary women's basketball coach Pat Summit during her time at Tennessee? She became known as Coach Pat but never just "Coach Pee". That might not have went over so well. Funny how just a single letter can make such a difference in perception.
Current TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley was known in his playing days for soaring high to grab rebounds. Would it be fair to call him Upchuck these days? Consider that thought the next time you see him swing a golf club. That's about enough to make anybody nauseous.
Eldrick Tont Woods became Tiger. Should he have been called Ellie instead?
Laurence Turead became Mr. T of film and screen. So what happened to Larry? Oh, that's right. He's the Cable Guy. But his real first name is Daniel.
Caryn Elaine Johnson, a pretty enough name, somehow turned into Whoopi Goldberg. Go figure.
Last but not least there is one Shaquille O'Neal. The big goof sits on the same panel as Upchuck, begging to stay relevant Kennie, and while bow-tie nerdy Ernie tries to keep some sort of order in the asylum.
Mostly Shaq just stares off into space or occasionally grunts. Yet to earn his paycheck another SO is obligated to actually, you know, say something once in a while.
And that is exactly where the best shortened version of a name should come into play.
Shaq?
SH!
He should collect his hefty NBA pension, scarf up whatever endorsements he can get for any company still desperate enough to use him as a spokesperson to hawk their product, and hope for a future role as an extra in a movie. It's likely only a matter of time before another Planet of the Apes sequel comes around.
Either that, or marry one of the K girls and get his own reality TV show. If America has been dumb enough to make them some sort of role models, it's certainly dumb enough to accommodate Mr. O'Neal as a leading man.
But for now, let's just stick to SH!. Every time he opens his mouth, it just makes matters worse.
And while on the subject of possibly riling up the lady fans, dare we come up with an abbreviated name for the Charlotte Hornets? Yikes, that could get ugly in the morning.
A generation ago, jolly old England gave us Princess Di. Sadly, that's exactly what happened in a car crash.
It is interesting to note the initials of the President of the United States. He's even been referred to as "BO". But the letters themselves have long had another not-so-good connotation. BO, as in body odor. Could it be?
And between his wife and kids we have a Michelle, Malia Ann, and Natasha. Add it all up and America's first family consists of a BO, a MO, a MAO, and a NO. Natasha is more well known by a pet name. Sasha. SO?
On the other hand, we have Melania Trump, the latest and greatest wife of the Donald. Her initials are obviously MT. Look into her eyes and listen closely when she speaks. "Empty" would seem to be the perfect moniker.
Longtime Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski's name has been shortened to just Coach K. Probably because nobody knew how to spell or pronounce it -- maybe even him. Everybody's cool with just "Coach Kay".
But what about legendary women's basketball coach Pat Summit during her time at Tennessee? She became known as Coach Pat but never just "Coach Pee". That might not have went over so well. Funny how just a single letter can make such a difference in perception.
Current TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley was known in his playing days for soaring high to grab rebounds. Would it be fair to call him Upchuck these days? Consider that thought the next time you see him swing a golf club. That's about enough to make anybody nauseous.
Eldrick Tont Woods became Tiger. Should he have been called Ellie instead?
Laurence Turead became Mr. T of film and screen. So what happened to Larry? Oh, that's right. He's the Cable Guy. But his real first name is Daniel.
Caryn Elaine Johnson, a pretty enough name, somehow turned into Whoopi Goldberg. Go figure.
Last but not least there is one Shaquille O'Neal. The big goof sits on the same panel as Upchuck, begging to stay relevant Kennie, and while bow-tie nerdy Ernie tries to keep some sort of order in the asylum.
Mostly Shaq just stares off into space or occasionally grunts. Yet to earn his paycheck another SO is obligated to actually, you know, say something once in a while.
And that is exactly where the best shortened version of a name should come into play.
Shaq?
SH!
He should collect his hefty NBA pension, scarf up whatever endorsements he can get for any company still desperate enough to use him as a spokesperson to hawk their product, and hope for a future role as an extra in a movie. It's likely only a matter of time before another Planet of the Apes sequel comes around.
Either that, or marry one of the K girls and get his own reality TV show. If America has been dumb enough to make them some sort of role models, it's certainly dumb enough to accommodate Mr. O'Neal as a leading man.
But for now, let's just stick to SH!. Every time he opens his mouth, it just makes matters worse.
Projecting the 2016 Detroit Lions
Besides their mandatory home and away games against the teams in their own division, the Lions couldn't have asked for a softer 2016 schedule.
True, the Green Bay Packers remain the class of the NFC North, and those pesky Minnesota Vikings seem to be coming on. Da Bears? Well.....
But that leaves ten other games to be played. Check them out.
@ Indianapolis
Tennessee
Philadelphia
LA
Washington
@ Houston
Jacksonville
@ New Orleans
@New York Giants
@ Dallas
Indy is decent but hardly great.
Tennessee remains terrible.
Philly is in total rebuild mode.
The recently relocated LA Rams will likely be starting a rookie quarterback.
The Redskins are projected to be lousy.
Houston? When's the last time they were any good -- as in ever?
The Jags? See Houston above.
The Saints appear to be on their way to becoming the Aints again.
The Giants are ushering in a brand new head coach, and Eli's still dumber than a brick.
The Cowboys went 4-12 last year.
Add it all up plus throw in the fact the Lions absolutely killed it in the draft (according to them and their ever-faithful fans and scribes -- what else is new?) and the long maligned Honolulu blue and silver puddy-tats should steam-roll through the season. At least 10-6, maybe even 12-4. What could go wrong? Of course, given their long sordid history, asking what could go wrong with the Lions is more than a little oxymoronic. Perhaps on a par with the late Rodney Dangerfield's ever elusive respect factor.
Still, on pre-season paper at least, the Motowners should have a shot at not only turning in a respectful season, but maybe even making some noise in the playoffs. A first indeed.
But the odds-makers aren't buying it. The over/under on Lions' wins this year is 7. In other words they figure them to go 7-9 for yet another ho-hum season.
Worse yet, many "experts" (see talking heads) are picking the "under". They expect the Lions to win no more than 6 games.
Why? Mostly because of the retirement of Calvin Johnson. Few would doubt the Lions, and QB Matthew Stafford relied heavily on the former "Megatron" when they needed a big play. Probably too much so. Heave the ball in the general direction of Calvin and hope he catches it. Oftentimes he would. Both Stafford and Johnson racked up gaudy passing stats over the years with this strategy.
But it wasn't nearly enough to put the Lions in the position of being serious contenders. The other teams knew what was coming, and while Calvin might have made his sensational catches over the years, he was also made to pay a brutal price. As in getting hit hard and often. In the last couple years, he could barely practice because his legs were so banged up. A six foot five guy can usually out-jump much shorter corners and safeties to haul in a pass, but he's going to get hammered a millisecond after the reception. It takes its toll.
Kudos to Calvin Johnson for getting out with his mind and body still pretty much intact. He's certainly got enough money to keep him comfortable for the rest of his life.
Yet one could wonder -- why in the hell did Calvin Johnson sign onto a long term contract with the Lions -- effectively for the duration of his career -- when he could have been a highly coveted free agent years ago and gone to a team with a realistic shot at a Super Bowl? Something that was never going to happen in Detroit. Tell me Tom Brady of the Patriots wouldn't have dearly loved to have such a wide-out to throw to -- and I'll tell you I don't believe it. They would have FOUND a way to make cap room. And Calvin might have got a ring. He may or may not eventually make it into the Hall of Fame -- how voters will look at him 5 years down the road is a good question -- but poor Calvin never got to win even a single playoff game during all his years with the Lions. Was it his own fault for staying there? Sure. Dude was from Georgia, born and bred. His misguided loyalty to the dregs of Detroit for his entire pro career could be considered quite foolish indeed.
The over/under win total at 7 given such a weak schedule for the Lions? And many going with the under? Oh my.
Then again, it's just another year, and they ARE still the Lions -- right?
What could go wrong, go wrong, go wrong..........
True, the Green Bay Packers remain the class of the NFC North, and those pesky Minnesota Vikings seem to be coming on. Da Bears? Well.....
But that leaves ten other games to be played. Check them out.
@ Indianapolis
Tennessee
Philadelphia
LA
Washington
@ Houston
Jacksonville
@ New Orleans
@New York Giants
@ Dallas
Indy is decent but hardly great.
Tennessee remains terrible.
Philly is in total rebuild mode.
The recently relocated LA Rams will likely be starting a rookie quarterback.
The Redskins are projected to be lousy.
Houston? When's the last time they were any good -- as in ever?
The Jags? See Houston above.
The Saints appear to be on their way to becoming the Aints again.
The Giants are ushering in a brand new head coach, and Eli's still dumber than a brick.
The Cowboys went 4-12 last year.
Add it all up plus throw in the fact the Lions absolutely killed it in the draft (according to them and their ever-faithful fans and scribes -- what else is new?) and the long maligned Honolulu blue and silver puddy-tats should steam-roll through the season. At least 10-6, maybe even 12-4. What could go wrong? Of course, given their long sordid history, asking what could go wrong with the Lions is more than a little oxymoronic. Perhaps on a par with the late Rodney Dangerfield's ever elusive respect factor.
Still, on pre-season paper at least, the Motowners should have a shot at not only turning in a respectful season, but maybe even making some noise in the playoffs. A first indeed.
But the odds-makers aren't buying it. The over/under on Lions' wins this year is 7. In other words they figure them to go 7-9 for yet another ho-hum season.
Worse yet, many "experts" (see talking heads) are picking the "under". They expect the Lions to win no more than 6 games.
Why? Mostly because of the retirement of Calvin Johnson. Few would doubt the Lions, and QB Matthew Stafford relied heavily on the former "Megatron" when they needed a big play. Probably too much so. Heave the ball in the general direction of Calvin and hope he catches it. Oftentimes he would. Both Stafford and Johnson racked up gaudy passing stats over the years with this strategy.
But it wasn't nearly enough to put the Lions in the position of being serious contenders. The other teams knew what was coming, and while Calvin might have made his sensational catches over the years, he was also made to pay a brutal price. As in getting hit hard and often. In the last couple years, he could barely practice because his legs were so banged up. A six foot five guy can usually out-jump much shorter corners and safeties to haul in a pass, but he's going to get hammered a millisecond after the reception. It takes its toll.
Kudos to Calvin Johnson for getting out with his mind and body still pretty much intact. He's certainly got enough money to keep him comfortable for the rest of his life.
Yet one could wonder -- why in the hell did Calvin Johnson sign onto a long term contract with the Lions -- effectively for the duration of his career -- when he could have been a highly coveted free agent years ago and gone to a team with a realistic shot at a Super Bowl? Something that was never going to happen in Detroit. Tell me Tom Brady of the Patriots wouldn't have dearly loved to have such a wide-out to throw to -- and I'll tell you I don't believe it. They would have FOUND a way to make cap room. And Calvin might have got a ring. He may or may not eventually make it into the Hall of Fame -- how voters will look at him 5 years down the road is a good question -- but poor Calvin never got to win even a single playoff game during all his years with the Lions. Was it his own fault for staying there? Sure. Dude was from Georgia, born and bred. His misguided loyalty to the dregs of Detroit for his entire pro career could be considered quite foolish indeed.
The over/under win total at 7 given such a weak schedule for the Lions? And many going with the under? Oh my.
Then again, it's just another year, and they ARE still the Lions -- right?
What could go wrong, go wrong, go wrong..........
Monday, May 2, 2016
San Antonio/Okla City. Game on?
Maybe. After the Spurs blistered the Thunder by 32 points in the opener of the series, Game 2 was decidedly different.
San Antonio missed one lay-up after another in the early stages along with scads of wide open jump shots. Their offense was executing with its usual precision, but they couldn't finish and put the ball in the damn hole. It must have drove Coach Pop crazy.
On the other side, Russell Westbrook was having a field day against the vaunted Spurs defense. Time and again he'd just drive to the basket for lay-ups of his own. One was left to wonder when San Antonio would make defensive adjustments to keep the speedster from going to the basket unimpeded. They never did. I mean, c'mon, foul the dude -- hard if necessary -- even put him on the floor a few times to make him think twice about charging the basket. Make him pay a price. Do SOMETHING.
To boot, the Thunder seemed to get all the questionable calls from the refs. And even some blatant non-calls went their way.
Despite all that, in the end, the Thunder would escape with only a one point victory. True, it doesn't matter whether it's one point or thirty because a win is a win. Also true is the Okies now have home-court advantage in the series -- at least for now.
With the series now a best 3 out of 5, could the Thunder upset the seemingly preordained apple cart and deny the Spurs their "rightful" place in the Western Conference finals against Golden State? That would be quite the upset indeed. And after all, OKC is going back home for Game 3 with their confidence restored and the fans in their arena will no doubt be at a fever pitch cheering them on.
But there's the rub. SA needs only win one of the next two game in OKC to regain home court advantage. And they likely will. The Spurs travel well and nobody is better at making adjustments than the above-mentioned Gregg Popovich -- far and away the shrewdest coach in the game.
With the Thunder winning Game 2, the series got interesting. Had they gone down 2-zip, the talk might have turned to what team Kevin Durant will play for next year, rather than the Okies having a shot at winning 4 out of 5 against the Alamolanders. Not a chance.
While Game 3 in OKC will no doubt be a rock-em sock-em affair, even if the Thunder goes up 2-1 yours truly suspects the Spurs will still prevail in this series. However, if the Thunder holds serve for both games at home and goes up 3-1, how interesting would THAT get watching SA trying to stave off elimination?
Nah, the Spurs will one of the next two and order will be restored to the NBA universe.
Maybe. But for now, it's definitely game on.
San Antonio missed one lay-up after another in the early stages along with scads of wide open jump shots. Their offense was executing with its usual precision, but they couldn't finish and put the ball in the damn hole. It must have drove Coach Pop crazy.
On the other side, Russell Westbrook was having a field day against the vaunted Spurs defense. Time and again he'd just drive to the basket for lay-ups of his own. One was left to wonder when San Antonio would make defensive adjustments to keep the speedster from going to the basket unimpeded. They never did. I mean, c'mon, foul the dude -- hard if necessary -- even put him on the floor a few times to make him think twice about charging the basket. Make him pay a price. Do SOMETHING.
To boot, the Thunder seemed to get all the questionable calls from the refs. And even some blatant non-calls went their way.
Despite all that, in the end, the Thunder would escape with only a one point victory. True, it doesn't matter whether it's one point or thirty because a win is a win. Also true is the Okies now have home-court advantage in the series -- at least for now.
With the series now a best 3 out of 5, could the Thunder upset the seemingly preordained apple cart and deny the Spurs their "rightful" place in the Western Conference finals against Golden State? That would be quite the upset indeed. And after all, OKC is going back home for Game 3 with their confidence restored and the fans in their arena will no doubt be at a fever pitch cheering them on.
But there's the rub. SA needs only win one of the next two game in OKC to regain home court advantage. And they likely will. The Spurs travel well and nobody is better at making adjustments than the above-mentioned Gregg Popovich -- far and away the shrewdest coach in the game.
With the Thunder winning Game 2, the series got interesting. Had they gone down 2-zip, the talk might have turned to what team Kevin Durant will play for next year, rather than the Okies having a shot at winning 4 out of 5 against the Alamolanders. Not a chance.
While Game 3 in OKC will no doubt be a rock-em sock-em affair, even if the Thunder goes up 2-1 yours truly suspects the Spurs will still prevail in this series. However, if the Thunder holds serve for both games at home and goes up 3-1, how interesting would THAT get watching SA trying to stave off elimination?
Nah, the Spurs will one of the next two and order will be restored to the NBA universe.
Maybe. But for now, it's definitely game on.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
NBA playoffs and dejavu
You just know how it's going to play out and dejavu will be a major part of it.
In the East, the Atlanta Hawks dispatched the Boston Celtics. Their reward? A date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. Chances of Atlanta winning that series? Zero. It would be surprising if the Cavs didn't broom them in 4 straight.
In the other match-up, the Toronto Raptors will face off against the Miami Heat. Toronto just won their first playoff series in 15 years by getting past the Indiana Pacers in seven games. Plus, they will have home court advantage. Chris Bosh used to play for Toronto before he "took his talents" to Miami few years back. This will be a dejavu reunion of sorts.
Hey, no Canadian team even made the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs this year. What are the Raptors still doing around in hoopland? Miami in six. Maybe less.
That would set up another dejavu situation for the Eastern Conference Finals. Lebron James would go up against his former Heat team. Most everybody has penciled in the Cavs to win the East. Short of a slew of injuries to key players or an unforeseen tragedy with a team plane or bus, there's little reason to doubt what appears almost inevitable will happen indeed. The Cavs are just better than everybody else in the East, and it's not even a close call.
Out in the wild, wild, West, there is no shortage of irony either. The Houston Rockets were easily dispatched by the Golden State Warriors in the first round. This surprised absolutely nobody. With or without the service of Steph Curry, this wasn't a close call either. Nor was the Okla City Thunder making easy work of the Dallas Mavs.
But then the plot thickens. James Hardin, super-star guard of the Rockets and the younger clone of Grady from the Sanford and Son TV show, used to play for the Thunder. Alas, Grady, oops, James decided to take HIS talents to Houston. Evidently, several million bucks a year for playing basketball wasn't enough. He wanted more. How many millions are enough? Now he and his team be gone.
His former Okla City team just got trashed by 32 points in their opening contest against the San Antonio Spurs. If Hardin had stayed on the Thunder, they'd be light years better and have a legitimate shot against Coach Pop's relentless machine in Alamoland. But he didn't, and they don't. The pundits can talk up the phenomenal talents of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook all they want, but those two guys alone with a suspect supporting cast have little chance of derailing the Spurs.
There are two match-ups NBA fans want to see that have been highly anticipated for months. The Spurs and the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. It certainly appears as if they're on a collision course. Sure, GS would have home court advantage, and might even have Steph Curry back by then. But who knows how effective he would be coming back from an injury? And how quick could he shake off the "rust" even if fully healthy? Unknown.
The other would certainly be the NBA Finals. If we can assume Cleveland will emerge from the East, and further assume either GS or SA will represent the West, then dejavu all over again in the world of Lebron James.
Last year, after he and the Cavs took a 2-1 lead in the Finals, the Warriors roared back to claim the championship.
The year before, while still with the Miami Heat, Lebron James saw his team taken to the woodshed by the San Antonio Spurs. It's entirely likely that played a large part in his decision to go back to Cleveland.
Summing up...... James Hardin could have been a contender if not for greed. As would his former team in Okie land if he was still there. But it ain't happening this year, or likely any year soon for either of them.
And if things go according to how they should, Lebron Raymone James is going to get another shot at avenging his teams' last two swan songs in the NBA Finals at the hands of the Spurs and Warriors.
Can Lebron finally pull off what he so desperately wanted to do in his early years, and now -- with a hiatus in between -- finally bring a championship to Cleveland?
The ultimate dejavu?
Maybe. Maybe not. Those guys out west are really good too. Whoever survives that shoot-out -- both teams with championship pedigrees -- isn't going to go down easy.
We'll see.......
In the East, the Atlanta Hawks dispatched the Boston Celtics. Their reward? A date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. Chances of Atlanta winning that series? Zero. It would be surprising if the Cavs didn't broom them in 4 straight.
In the other match-up, the Toronto Raptors will face off against the Miami Heat. Toronto just won their first playoff series in 15 years by getting past the Indiana Pacers in seven games. Plus, they will have home court advantage. Chris Bosh used to play for Toronto before he "took his talents" to Miami few years back. This will be a dejavu reunion of sorts.
Hey, no Canadian team even made the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs this year. What are the Raptors still doing around in hoopland? Miami in six. Maybe less.
That would set up another dejavu situation for the Eastern Conference Finals. Lebron James would go up against his former Heat team. Most everybody has penciled in the Cavs to win the East. Short of a slew of injuries to key players or an unforeseen tragedy with a team plane or bus, there's little reason to doubt what appears almost inevitable will happen indeed. The Cavs are just better than everybody else in the East, and it's not even a close call.
Out in the wild, wild, West, there is no shortage of irony either. The Houston Rockets were easily dispatched by the Golden State Warriors in the first round. This surprised absolutely nobody. With or without the service of Steph Curry, this wasn't a close call either. Nor was the Okla City Thunder making easy work of the Dallas Mavs.
But then the plot thickens. James Hardin, super-star guard of the Rockets and the younger clone of Grady from the Sanford and Son TV show, used to play for the Thunder. Alas, Grady, oops, James decided to take HIS talents to Houston. Evidently, several million bucks a year for playing basketball wasn't enough. He wanted more. How many millions are enough? Now he and his team be gone.
His former Okla City team just got trashed by 32 points in their opening contest against the San Antonio Spurs. If Hardin had stayed on the Thunder, they'd be light years better and have a legitimate shot against Coach Pop's relentless machine in Alamoland. But he didn't, and they don't. The pundits can talk up the phenomenal talents of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook all they want, but those two guys alone with a suspect supporting cast have little chance of derailing the Spurs.
There are two match-ups NBA fans want to see that have been highly anticipated for months. The Spurs and the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. It certainly appears as if they're on a collision course. Sure, GS would have home court advantage, and might even have Steph Curry back by then. But who knows how effective he would be coming back from an injury? And how quick could he shake off the "rust" even if fully healthy? Unknown.
The other would certainly be the NBA Finals. If we can assume Cleveland will emerge from the East, and further assume either GS or SA will represent the West, then dejavu all over again in the world of Lebron James.
Last year, after he and the Cavs took a 2-1 lead in the Finals, the Warriors roared back to claim the championship.
The year before, while still with the Miami Heat, Lebron James saw his team taken to the woodshed by the San Antonio Spurs. It's entirely likely that played a large part in his decision to go back to Cleveland.
Summing up...... James Hardin could have been a contender if not for greed. As would his former team in Okie land if he was still there. But it ain't happening this year, or likely any year soon for either of them.
And if things go according to how they should, Lebron Raymone James is going to get another shot at avenging his teams' last two swan songs in the NBA Finals at the hands of the Spurs and Warriors.
Can Lebron finally pull off what he so desperately wanted to do in his early years, and now -- with a hiatus in between -- finally bring a championship to Cleveland?
The ultimate dejavu?
Maybe. Maybe not. Those guys out west are really good too. Whoever survives that shoot-out -- both teams with championship pedigrees -- isn't going to go down easy.
We'll see.......
The nerve of some people
We've all seen the Lebron James Kia commercials. He claims to drive such an automobile, but others have scoffed. No way would the King of hoops be tooling around town in a Kia, they bluster.
Maybe both sides are right. Chances are good Lebron Raymone James owns a whole fleet of cars and a Kia might just be one of them. For him to advertise a product he does not use/own would be disingenuous at best, and flirt on the wrong side of certain statutes at worst. Besides, it's no doubt a free car, courtesy of the company. Lots of people could appreciate perks like that.
But to dispel any doubters, Lebron has doubled down on the commercials. Yon hoopster doth solemnly swear he indeed drives a Kia. Well then, let's see.
This is a man who is a multi-millonaire many times over. An American citizen born and raised in Ohio. How did he make all his money? Having Americans flock to see him play basketball, or buy his sports paraphernalia. Without the rabid support of so many American basketball fans he might have wound up being just a really tall guy at a fast food window somewhere. After all, he never spent a day in college trying to further his education.
And how does he pay them back for the incredibly good fortune they have bestowed upon him? By advertising a car made in Korea. It's like spitting in the face of American auto workers. He could advertise a Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, Buick, or Cadillac, among other American brands. But no. Lebron wants to repeat over and over again his allegiance to a foreign car company.
The utter nerve of this guy.
After the Okla City Thunder was absolutely destroyed in Game 1 of their series with the San Antonio Spurs, they offered up the usual suspects for the post-game press conference. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. RW and KG remain cocky. Or perhaps oblivious to the obvious. They and their team had just suffered a 32 point defeat, one of the worst in the history of the NBA playoffs. A serious beatdown by any standards.
But Westbrook and Durant refused to acknowledge, much less give credit to the excellence of the Spurs. Rather, they claimed they only needed to make "minor adjustments" and everything would be just fine. Hey, the Spurs probably could have beat them by 50 if they hadn't emptied the very end of their bench for almost the entire fourth quarter. Minor adjustments? Wouldn't that be a bit like having an extra can of insect repellent when one is up to their ass in alligators in the Everglades?
They got taken to the proverbial woodshed, good and proper, but are either too stupid or arrogant to admit it. Confidence is good. Blindly brushing off the obvious in the name of "saving face" doesn't always work out so well. Especially when you just got trashed.
The nerve of those guys.
LA Clippers head coach Glen "Doc" Rivers got all emotional after him team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers. True, the Clips had lost the services of their two best players due to injury. Even Doc's own kid, Austin, took a shot to the face which required a few stitches and left him with a whopper shiner. Nothing like beating up the whole family when nepotism is involved.
But here's the thing. The Trail Blazers get the dubious honor of playing a second round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Even without Steph Curry, the Warriors will likely easily prevail.
It could have been Doc's team instead. And even WITH the services of his two best players, the Clips weren't going to get past GS either. They're... just... not... good... enough. Who's kidding who?
Save us the tears Doc. You're making an obscene amount of money and your team didn't have a prayer of making it to the Finals anyway. They were, at best, a second tier team all along, and everybody knew it. Your boy will be just fine with that little eye problem. It will heal.
So quit with the theatrics. Like we ever cared anyway.
The nerve of this guy.
Let me see if I have this right. A certain Presidential candidate, who has been mathematically eliminated from receiving his party's nomination, has picked his future Vice President.
There's nerve, and then there's nerve.
Only in America.......
Maybe both sides are right. Chances are good Lebron Raymone James owns a whole fleet of cars and a Kia might just be one of them. For him to advertise a product he does not use/own would be disingenuous at best, and flirt on the wrong side of certain statutes at worst. Besides, it's no doubt a free car, courtesy of the company. Lots of people could appreciate perks like that.
But to dispel any doubters, Lebron has doubled down on the commercials. Yon hoopster doth solemnly swear he indeed drives a Kia. Well then, let's see.
This is a man who is a multi-millonaire many times over. An American citizen born and raised in Ohio. How did he make all his money? Having Americans flock to see him play basketball, or buy his sports paraphernalia. Without the rabid support of so many American basketball fans he might have wound up being just a really tall guy at a fast food window somewhere. After all, he never spent a day in college trying to further his education.
And how does he pay them back for the incredibly good fortune they have bestowed upon him? By advertising a car made in Korea. It's like spitting in the face of American auto workers. He could advertise a Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, Buick, or Cadillac, among other American brands. But no. Lebron wants to repeat over and over again his allegiance to a foreign car company.
The utter nerve of this guy.
After the Okla City Thunder was absolutely destroyed in Game 1 of their series with the San Antonio Spurs, they offered up the usual suspects for the post-game press conference. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. RW and KG remain cocky. Or perhaps oblivious to the obvious. They and their team had just suffered a 32 point defeat, one of the worst in the history of the NBA playoffs. A serious beatdown by any standards.
But Westbrook and Durant refused to acknowledge, much less give credit to the excellence of the Spurs. Rather, they claimed they only needed to make "minor adjustments" and everything would be just fine. Hey, the Spurs probably could have beat them by 50 if they hadn't emptied the very end of their bench for almost the entire fourth quarter. Minor adjustments? Wouldn't that be a bit like having an extra can of insect repellent when one is up to their ass in alligators in the Everglades?
They got taken to the proverbial woodshed, good and proper, but are either too stupid or arrogant to admit it. Confidence is good. Blindly brushing off the obvious in the name of "saving face" doesn't always work out so well. Especially when you just got trashed.
The nerve of those guys.
LA Clippers head coach Glen "Doc" Rivers got all emotional after him team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers. True, the Clips had lost the services of their two best players due to injury. Even Doc's own kid, Austin, took a shot to the face which required a few stitches and left him with a whopper shiner. Nothing like beating up the whole family when nepotism is involved.
But here's the thing. The Trail Blazers get the dubious honor of playing a second round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Even without Steph Curry, the Warriors will likely easily prevail.
It could have been Doc's team instead. And even WITH the services of his two best players, the Clips weren't going to get past GS either. They're... just... not... good... enough. Who's kidding who?
Save us the tears Doc. You're making an obscene amount of money and your team didn't have a prayer of making it to the Finals anyway. They were, at best, a second tier team all along, and everybody knew it. Your boy will be just fine with that little eye problem. It will heal.
So quit with the theatrics. Like we ever cared anyway.
The nerve of this guy.
Let me see if I have this right. A certain Presidential candidate, who has been mathematically eliminated from receiving his party's nomination, has picked his future Vice President.
There's nerve, and then there's nerve.
Only in America.......
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