- For all the discussion regarding small market teams not
having a fair chance, the NBA playoffs this year sure have shown
different. While you may not be able to
name their starting lineups, there have been some amazing teams to come out of
the woodwork the last year or two.
Denver, Memphis and Indiana are prime examples of franchises that are
being run the way franchises should be run.
From the GM to the coaches, they are taking talent and putting them in
the right spots to succeed. You may not
know the names Kenneth
Faried, Rudy Gay
or Paul George but you
should.
- I was in a discussion about Larry Bird winning Executive
of the Year last night and I am astonished by the lack of knowledge some people
show. While I would have voted for Masai
Ujiri for the Denver Nuggets, Bird did an amazing job crafting this year’s
Pacers team. The trades for Leandro Barbosa (former 6th Man of the
Year and great off the bench scorer) and George Hill were masterful. The signing of David West and the retaining
of coach Frank Vogel, positions this team to be good for years to come. It’s a shame more people aren’t paying
attention to the job he’s doing there, as well as Ujiri and David Kahn in
Minnesota. Small market teams have a
challenge in attracting and keeping players.
These three men, especially, have excelled at their jobs.
- Isn’t it funny how Lakers fans were so excited about the
trade for Ramon Sessions, as if he was the savior point guard they needed? As we’re in the midst of the playoffs, I
think we all realize one thing…he’s still just Ramon Sessions. He’s a mid-level point guard, at best. He’s a guy who has been on four teams in
seven years and there is good reason for that.
Congrats LA! You have Jordan
Farmar 2.0.
- While on the subject of the Lakers, isn’t it interesting
how quickly the fans went for begging for an Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard
trade to praising Bynum as the future of the franchise? I think it is clear that, while Bynum can
dominate in stretches, he’s not a guy you can build around. This has nothing to do with maturity. It has everything to do with a guy who
clearly checks out of games for no reason.
The supporters will call him “enigmatic” or “misunderstood”. Those are just code words for “aloof” and “underperforming”. He doesn’t have the mental make-up to be “The
Guy”.
- The Chris Bosh injury is a huge one, but few people are
mentioning it. Even fewer are mentioning
the inability the Heat bench has shown to step up when needed. If they don’t win the title, the backlash
towards LeBron James will be ridiculous.
He will feel the brunt of the blame, regardless of how he plays. It’s a sad state of affairs that a guy this
talented and beloved two short years ago has become vilified and despised. It boggles my mind how quickly “fans” jump on
and off bandwagons.
- Speaking of bandwagons, I can’t think of any sports franchises
that have more bandwagon fans than the New York Yankees and Los Angeles
Lakers. I understand wanting to cheer a
winner, but come on! Sports fandom is
born from proximity. I grew up in
Colorado Springs, thus I am a Nuggets and Broncos fan. People growing up in Iowa as a Lakers
fan? Why not the Bulls or
Timberwolves? It’s always struck me as
odd…
- Like it or not, I’m going to gush about the Denver
Nuggets. So many “experts” had them
missing the playoffs and being one of the worst teams in their division. It’s amazing what great coaching and good
personnel moves can do. The Nuggets were
able to get a haul of players for Carmelo Anthony last year (Danilo Gallinari,
Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov and Raymond Felton) and continued their “re-building”. Funny thing is, they didn’t need to re-build
as they were already in great shape.
They flipped Felton for Andre Miller, who is a tremendous upgrade and
leader off the bench. While Chandler finished his obligation in China, rookie
Kenneth Faried shined and allowed Denver to move the monster contract of Nené
to Washington for JaVale McGee. McGee,
who has been a laughingstock for the Wizards, showed tremendous potential under
the guiding hand of George Karl. This
team is constructed to win and win now.
They pushed the Lakers to the brink in the playoffs, despite falling
down 3-1 in the series. The Nuggets
fought valiantly, but the Lakers were bailed out by the league and got Ron
Artest back from suspension for Game 7.
Without Artest, that team was dead in the water. At least Denver fans can take solace in the
fact that they’re only going to improve.
Team basketball lives in the Mile High City!! No superstar?
No problem.
- The concept of a team needing a superstar to “close the
game” or “take the last shot” befuddles me.
I’d rather have a team make the smart basketball play than force feed an
individual, who more often than not, will miss.
Even the best in history shoot between 35-40% in game winning
situations. Anyone can have a 50-50
chance, not just a star. For example, in
Denver, I watched game winning shots from Arron Afflalo, Ty Lawson, JaVale
McGee and Danilo Galinari this past season.
If a defense doesn’t know where the shot is coming from, doesn’t that
make it more difficult for them to defend?
Even Michael Jordan passed up game winning shots. It’s called smart basketball, kids.
- As good as the Thunder look some games, they look
awful the next…or even right after. All the while, the San Antonio Spurs just
keep winning and dominating. They may be
the most underappreciated franchise in the league. Do not sleep on them. They just may come out of the West and
challenge for their 5th title.
- Is there another player in the league who has gone from
easily likable to absolutely easily detested the way Kevin Garnett is? I recall cheering for him in Minnesota, and
even the first season in Boston. Once he
got a ring on his finger, he just has gotten so ridiculously arrogant. His angry persona seems to have taken over
and he is so unlikable now. Paul Pierce
is too. The guy, who was the leader of a
24 win team, suddenly is talked about as an all-time great? Garnett, Pierce and Allen are all guys who
didn’t carry their teams to anywhere alone, yet get accolades like they
did. Garnett had the one great season,
but was helped along by Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, but the others never
did anything alone. True greatness is
elevating bad teams, not running your mouth after you win with other
underachievers.
- LeBron James won his 3rd MVP in four years and
rightfully so. I was ecstatic that the
voters realized the error of their ways and awarded it to the best player on
the planet. Like him or not, you can’t
deny how awe-inspiring he is to watch play.
The funny thing to me is that there was so much hype regarding his
numbers this season. “Historic” is how
it was described by so many. Yet, if you
look at his numbers
from last year, they are virtually identical!
Why the difference and why the MVP this year and not last? Well, we all know the answer. The voters were mad about “The Decision”. Sorry Derrick Rose. Your MVP has an asterisk and is a sham. The voters used you to get back at LeBron
like a scorned ex-girlfriend. I hope
you enjoyed your rebound MVP because you likely won’t see another.
After all of
this, the one thing I have to say is…I love the NBA Playoffs!!!
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