This has been a strange series for the first 4 games, but game 5 finally played to form. In most of the other games, a supporting role player carried the day. Derek Fisher was dared to beat the Celtics and he did, with a drive that split 3 players in game 3. Big Baby Glen Davis put a woodshed whipping on Lamar Odom in the fourth game.
So last night, the series came to form. A star, Paul Pierce, carried the day. But more than that, all three of the Big 3 played strong. For the purple, only one showed, Kobe. Doc Rivers has said in the timeouts that we are getting good looks, don't panic. In game four, I didn't believe him till the second half. In game 5 I believed him for the whole game. The Celtics set good picks and made good dive cuts off screens. They played as a team, got every loose ball. They were, as Tony Allen said, "fully engaged". The Lakers meanwhile made the final score look close thanks to a third quarter when Kobe scored 19 straight points. And they were bad shots. Fade away jumpers from beyond the 3 point line are not exactly high percentage, I don't care who is taking them. Plus one on four basketball is a losing cause. It looks like the only option they have at times, but when the other players watch, it slows the offensive flow. Yes I marvel at his athleticism, but I wonder where his team mates are. And Ron Artest is a total liability on offense. It would be nice to see Gasol show up again and have Odom show up at all. With Bynum very limited in mobility, this series is shrinking quick for the Lakers. Still, as Yogi said, "It ain't over till it's over."
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Advantage Lakers But Still Up In the Air
This last game left a ton of questions unanswered. The Lakers surely seemed to stagnate in the late going. Terrible 3rd quarter, and a ton of standing around with many poor shots by Kobe. When that happens the offense stagnates and the Lakers stand around and watch. When Garnett turns back the clock interesting things happen. So it could still be a dog fight. The Lakers length is taking its toll....7-2 blocked shots, killing on the boards, and Artest is having some effect on Pierce, although its very hard to watch Ron-Ron on offense...will he ever hit a jumper this series?
It looks like they let just any old ref work the most important game of the year in basketball, and the last 2 games have been terrible in terms of poor officiating. I don't know who the refs were for, but thank the Lord for instant replay in the last 2 minutes so all the blown calls were reversed. I have to say the game is so fast and some of the plays are so quick that I do not envy their job.
The guy everyone thought would be mismatched was the difference maker, Derrick Fisher. His picture is in the dictionary under the word winner and cross filed under clutch.
Had to know Ray Allen could never match his game 2 performance...it was a record. But he was way off in game 3.
The adjustments the coaches made in game 3 on both sides was interesting. It was like both teams went to plan C. The Celtics took away everything the Lakers had and dared Derick Fisher to beat them...and he did.
Tony Allen played some of the best defense on Kobe since James Posey in the 08 series. Too bad he is such a liability on offense.
Hey, I gotta go. I get to be fantasy water boy for tonights game.
It looks like they let just any old ref work the most important game of the year in basketball, and the last 2 games have been terrible in terms of poor officiating. I don't know who the refs were for, but thank the Lord for instant replay in the last 2 minutes so all the blown calls were reversed. I have to say the game is so fast and some of the plays are so quick that I do not envy their job.
The guy everyone thought would be mismatched was the difference maker, Derrick Fisher. His picture is in the dictionary under the word winner and cross filed under clutch.
Had to know Ray Allen could never match his game 2 performance...it was a record. But he was way off in game 3.
The adjustments the coaches made in game 3 on both sides was interesting. It was like both teams went to plan C. The Celtics took away everything the Lakers had and dared Derick Fisher to beat them...and he did.
Tony Allen played some of the best defense on Kobe since James Posey in the 08 series. Too bad he is such a liability on offense.
Hey, I gotta go. I get to be fantasy water boy for tonights game.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Typical Laker Choke Job vs Celtics and Terrible Reffing
Well, there is historically one thing you can usually count on in NBA basketball, and that is the Lakers choking against the Celtics. Ray Allen went wild in the first half and the Celtics got hot at the end of the 4th quarter when it counted and schools out.
This was one of the most poorly officiated games I have ever seen in an NBA playoff game. Glenn Davis had 2 phantom calls, Kobe Bryant had 2 or 3 as well and there were enough to go around including at least one on Garnett. The out of bounds play was even blown, with replay! I always like to believe in conspiracies, but with the Knicks never winning anything for soooo long and San Antonio winning so many titles, I guess that is not a possibility. You know they would rather have a matchup like the Lakers Celtics or have the Knicks in the picture every year. This looked more like an NCAA regular season game, no , maybe more like a local YMCA biddy basketball game with dad officiating his sons game.
It's back to Boston for the series. Phil Jackson's 47-0 record when winning the first game of a playoff series could be in serious jeopardy.
This was one of the most poorly officiated games I have ever seen in an NBA playoff game. Glenn Davis had 2 phantom calls, Kobe Bryant had 2 or 3 as well and there were enough to go around including at least one on Garnett. The out of bounds play was even blown, with replay! I always like to believe in conspiracies, but with the Knicks never winning anything for soooo long and San Antonio winning so many titles, I guess that is not a possibility. You know they would rather have a matchup like the Lakers Celtics or have the Knicks in the picture every year. This looked more like an NCAA regular season game, no , maybe more like a local YMCA biddy basketball game with dad officiating his sons game.
It's back to Boston for the series. Phil Jackson's 47-0 record when winning the first game of a playoff series could be in serious jeopardy.
They Can Turn It on at Will...and They are Long
A few years back I was sitting courtside at an AAU game talking with a coach and we were noticing a certain player. The coach mentioned all the qualities of this player and then he mentioned, he is long. Such a simple idea. Long is harder to shoot over, harder to pass through, and gets to rebounds quicker.
The Los Angeles Lakers have length. Glen Davis felt it when almost every shot he put up got sent back. Rondo saw it first hand when he tried to pass through it. The whole Celtics team felt it on the offensive glass.
Just like heigth, length cannot be taught. Pau Gasol is listed at 7'1" but people who cover him say that is about 2 inches low. Odom is extremely long. Same goes for Bynum and Artest. Add that to Kobe throwing off Rondo's game, and its and extremely difficult situation for the guys in Green.
In the 2008 series, Walton was the first man off the Lakers Bench along with Radmonovich. Now its Odom, which gives the Lakers a big advantage. Whenever I talk with friends who used to play in the NBA, they bring up Odom as a gold standard of talent. I never ask them, it just comes to the surface. Six ten with an ability to play any position on the court and being a lefty to boot is one hell of a combination.
Towards the end of the regular season, people were miffed about the Lakers losing games they shouldn't and sort of turning it on at will. In game 1, they seemed to turn it on at will. The Celtics at this point seem to be a better matchup for the Lakers than the Suns. The Suns nullified much use of Bynum because of speed and an unusual style. Almost everyone shoots the 3 on the Suns and on the fast break they cut to the 3 point line instead of the basket, which is really different. Still, they died by the jumper in the end. Point being, Bynum is relevant against the Celtics and makes them deep because Odom comes off the bench.
Still, its the Celtics and if they can steal a win in game 2, they historically have a great track record against the Lakers. But one thing they won't be able to change is the length.
The Los Angeles Lakers have length. Glen Davis felt it when almost every shot he put up got sent back. Rondo saw it first hand when he tried to pass through it. The whole Celtics team felt it on the offensive glass.
Just like heigth, length cannot be taught. Pau Gasol is listed at 7'1" but people who cover him say that is about 2 inches low. Odom is extremely long. Same goes for Bynum and Artest. Add that to Kobe throwing off Rondo's game, and its and extremely difficult situation for the guys in Green.
In the 2008 series, Walton was the first man off the Lakers Bench along with Radmonovich. Now its Odom, which gives the Lakers a big advantage. Whenever I talk with friends who used to play in the NBA, they bring up Odom as a gold standard of talent. I never ask them, it just comes to the surface. Six ten with an ability to play any position on the court and being a lefty to boot is one hell of a combination.
Towards the end of the regular season, people were miffed about the Lakers losing games they shouldn't and sort of turning it on at will. In game 1, they seemed to turn it on at will. The Celtics at this point seem to be a better matchup for the Lakers than the Suns. The Suns nullified much use of Bynum because of speed and an unusual style. Almost everyone shoots the 3 on the Suns and on the fast break they cut to the 3 point line instead of the basket, which is really different. Still, they died by the jumper in the end. Point being, Bynum is relevant against the Celtics and makes them deep because Odom comes off the bench.
Still, its the Celtics and if they can steal a win in game 2, they historically have a great track record against the Lakers. But one thing they won't be able to change is the length.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Last Minute Finals Thoughts and More
Who do you choose tonight? Its a question I have waited until the last minute to ask myself.
The case for the Lakers. They have the best player for sure and maybe the best 2 players as well as the best player off the bench, Odom. Plus, when they played the Celtics the last time, Trevor Ariza was injured as was Andrew Bynum. Bynum is a big body they can throw at the Celtics, even though he is injured. Plus with Ron Artest and an aging Boston team, you can make a good case for the Lakers. Garnett is mostly a jump shooter and is not the player he used to be. Paul Pierce shoots 23% when guarded by Artest. Artest shut down Durant in the Oklahoma City Series and closed it out on the road. When Kobe guarded Westbrook, he shut down the OKC team and negated Westbrook. Rondo is better than Westbrook. Derrick Fisher has played well in a number of roles against Utah and Phoenix. Rondo has struggled on the road of late.
Boston's case. The Lakers will never play against a better defensive team. The trio in the middle of Perkins, Wallace and Davis will play the Lakers extremely hard. Rondo is coming on and seems to be a mismatch at point, although if Kobe guards him they will dare him to shoot outside, his weakness. The Celtics bench is much deeper and stronger as a unit and if Glen Davis comes on, watch out...and he has been going strong lately. Nate Robinson had a breakout game the last game. If the big 3 keep playing like they are 5 years younger (Allen, Garnett and Pierce) this team will not be denied.
So, with that said, I still would have a hard time picking a clear cut winner. There will probably emerge an unlikely hero that will push one of these teams over the top. With Boston aging and breaking up soon, this could be the last Lakers-Celtics matchup that we will see for a number of years.
One last number that is very interesting. When a Phil Jackson coached team wins the first game in a playoff series, they are 47 -0...yes undefeated. So, this series could be decided in game one. Enjoy!
The case for the Lakers. They have the best player for sure and maybe the best 2 players as well as the best player off the bench, Odom. Plus, when they played the Celtics the last time, Trevor Ariza was injured as was Andrew Bynum. Bynum is a big body they can throw at the Celtics, even though he is injured. Plus with Ron Artest and an aging Boston team, you can make a good case for the Lakers. Garnett is mostly a jump shooter and is not the player he used to be. Paul Pierce shoots 23% when guarded by Artest. Artest shut down Durant in the Oklahoma City Series and closed it out on the road. When Kobe guarded Westbrook, he shut down the OKC team and negated Westbrook. Rondo is better than Westbrook. Derrick Fisher has played well in a number of roles against Utah and Phoenix. Rondo has struggled on the road of late.
Boston's case. The Lakers will never play against a better defensive team. The trio in the middle of Perkins, Wallace and Davis will play the Lakers extremely hard. Rondo is coming on and seems to be a mismatch at point, although if Kobe guards him they will dare him to shoot outside, his weakness. The Celtics bench is much deeper and stronger as a unit and if Glen Davis comes on, watch out...and he has been going strong lately. Nate Robinson had a breakout game the last game. If the big 3 keep playing like they are 5 years younger (Allen, Garnett and Pierce) this team will not be denied.
So, with that said, I still would have a hard time picking a clear cut winner. There will probably emerge an unlikely hero that will push one of these teams over the top. With Boston aging and breaking up soon, this could be the last Lakers-Celtics matchup that we will see for a number of years.
One last number that is very interesting. When a Phil Jackson coached team wins the first game in a playoff series, they are 47 -0...yes undefeated. So, this series could be decided in game one. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
FINALLY, Some Good Games
Orlando set some double staggered screens so Jameer Nelson could get around the corner and the Magic avoided the sweep. What adjustments will the Celtics make in Game 5? The Leprechauns looked their age at the end of game 4 and Rondo came out flat for the most part. Can the Magic keep up their energy and get a game out of Vince Carter in Game 5. It would help their cause. The Celtics rotations were slow and with the staggered screens, Howard had a ton of easy scores. The Chess game begins, with Stan V making the first move.
Phil Jackson got really out coached in the 4th quarter of game 4. The Phoenix zone made a slight adjustment and it was enough. Phoenix got a superb effort from their bench. Having seen various Phoenix teams play about 200 times in LA, I do not believe the trend continues at the Staples Center. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the Zen Master will make. The Lakers usually get pushed to 6 or 7 games most series. I don't see a jump shooting team beating them. Still they looked slow on the rotations on defense and that has to be a concern. it will be very intriguing to see what moves are made tonight and tomorrow.
Phil Jackson got really out coached in the 4th quarter of game 4. The Phoenix zone made a slight adjustment and it was enough. Phoenix got a superb effort from their bench. Having seen various Phoenix teams play about 200 times in LA, I do not believe the trend continues at the Staples Center. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the Zen Master will make. The Lakers usually get pushed to 6 or 7 games most series. I don't see a jump shooting team beating them. Still they looked slow on the rotations on defense and that has to be a concern. it will be very intriguing to see what moves are made tonight and tomorrow.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Five Games, Five Blowouts
The NBA conference finals have been all but unwatchable unless you're a total homer. The Celtics have uncovered and exposed Dwight Howard. He may have a good defensive game or a good offensive game but he cannot put both together. He goes for help way too early and leaves his man with an easy assist or put back. Plus new coach Patrick Ewing has seemingly made his total game go down a notch or two. With him all but out of the series, the Celtics have dared the Magic to beat them with the low percentage 3 ball. So far, no good for the Magic. The trio of Rasheed Wallace, Kendrick Perkins, and Big Baby Davis are taking turns guarding Howard. Say what you want about Wallace, he has always been a fantastic post player, especially defensively. In game 3 the Magic gave up.
One thing I have wondered about all year has been the criticism leveled at Hedo Turkoglu. Last year he seemed to carry the Magic with good ball handling, assists and shooting. For sure he is not as athletic as Vince Carter....not many are. Turkoglu seemed to be the right person for the Magic, but they couldn't wait to get rid of him...probably because of an expiring contract. Turkoglu was averaging about 6 asssists a game in the playoffs and Carter is averaging just over one.
The Magic's big ammunition was supposed to be Jameer Nelson being healthy and the best bench in the NBA. Rondo has really negated Nelson and the Magic bench has disappeared. Oh well, at least winters in Orlando beat shoveling snow in Boston.
In the West Coast series it has been too much height and talent for the Lakers. The Suns face game 3 tonight. If they cannot win tonite, it's Celtics-Lakers, the NBA's dream matchup. I have to give credit to the people who said there were 2 teams that could make noise in the post season if they are healthy that were not at the top in the regular season...the Spurs and the Celtics. They were half right on the Spurs and all the way right on Boston.
One thing I have wondered about all year has been the criticism leveled at Hedo Turkoglu. Last year he seemed to carry the Magic with good ball handling, assists and shooting. For sure he is not as athletic as Vince Carter....not many are. Turkoglu seemed to be the right person for the Magic, but they couldn't wait to get rid of him...probably because of an expiring contract. Turkoglu was averaging about 6 asssists a game in the playoffs and Carter is averaging just over one.
The Magic's big ammunition was supposed to be Jameer Nelson being healthy and the best bench in the NBA. Rondo has really negated Nelson and the Magic bench has disappeared. Oh well, at least winters in Orlando beat shoveling snow in Boston.
In the West Coast series it has been too much height and talent for the Lakers. The Suns face game 3 tonight. If they cannot win tonite, it's Celtics-Lakers, the NBA's dream matchup. I have to give credit to the people who said there were 2 teams that could make noise in the post season if they are healthy that were not at the top in the regular season...the Spurs and the Celtics. They were half right on the Spurs and all the way right on Boston.
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