It’s easy being Green
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Rasheed and the Celtics bench are a tough matchup
After opening the season against Cleveland yesterday with a convincing win, the Celtics today faced a very different caliber of opponent, but the result was the same.
The most interesting fact from the game wasn't KG and his healthy looking play, nor Rajon Rondo as he showed that his contract issue is not affecting his play as he notched an easy double double, but rather the super play of reserve Shelden Williams who stood up in the minutes which were earmarked for Big Baby Davis at the start of the season. Shelden joined the party with some fantastic play (12p, 9r, 3a, 1s, 1b in 22 mins) to show that the Boston bench is scary deep compared to last year with Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels joining mainstay Eddie House and Big Baby when he returns from injury.
This Boston team is for real, and with the depth they are showing, can really hide their main concern, the age of the core, by spreading the minutes around. Look out league, because the Celtics have their eyes on the prize.
It's easy being Green
The renovations are looking mighty fine
The big story of opening day has to be the Celtics domination of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sure, the score was close at the end, but that was more a factor of Lebron being Lebron. No one else on the team looked like a contributor on an elite team, and not even the amazing wine and gold 23 can propel his team all season long. The Cavs are going to have to have people stand up.
Garnett looks healthy in his return to action
Having people stand up for the Celtics should be no such issue, as newcomers Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels meshed perfectly with the Green nucleus of Rondo, Pierce, Allen and a very healthy looking KG. In fact, KG looked so healthy that at one point in the fourth he trailed the break and blew what would have been an emphatic dunk. The good news is, that's just his timing being off, because his knee looked fine.
So do the Celtics title chances.
Best Passing Big Man?
With Vlade Divac getting his number 21 raised to the rafters by the Sacramento Kings in March this year, (and ESPN trotting out another Vlade article today), I thought I'd have a little rant. Not about Vlade, I quite like the goofy, beaded Serb. I just smile and shake my head when some compliments become so mainstream. This from a photo caption of Divac in a circa-1991 Lakers uniform:
"One of the greatest passing big men of all-time"
Back in the early 90's this was a valid statement, because very few players over 6'10" could pass very well at all. There were certainly even fewer that possessed any extended vision or creativity. But as the 90's came and went, media aplenty have used this term to describe the modern "plus six foot tenner". It's becoming a little diluted...
Ryan and I have often joked about this subject. So I thought I'd compile a list of all the players that I distinctly remember being referred to as "one of the best passing big men" in either commentary or print.
It's a fun list, in no particular order..
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Vlade Divac
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Luc Longley
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Arvydas Sabonis
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Hakeem Olajuwon
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Kevin Garnett
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David Robinson
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Zydrunas Ilgauskas
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Bill Walton
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Pau Gasol
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Anthony Mason
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Boris Diaw
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Brad Miller
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Shaquille O'Neal
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Yao Ming
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Chris Webber
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Tim Duncan
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Toni Kukoc
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Clifford Robinson
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Travis Knight (No, I'm not kidding!)
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Juwan Howard
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Kendrick Perkins
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Andrew Bogut
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Charles Oakley
I'm sure there's more that I can't recall right now. It used to be a great compliment, but these days anyone who is over 6'10" and happens to throw a few good passes is all of a sudden considered to be one of the "best passing big men" of all-time. I guess the game evolves but at some point you've got to find a new "buzz term".
And just for good measure, here is the only image of Travis Knight that you're likely to ever see on twosidesofthehoop.com
Travis Knight (Photo courtesy: lebasketbawl.com)
2010 – A Prediction Odyssey
Now this is always fun. We get to throw our hats in the ring and put forward our ideas of what will pan out this season in the NBA. Enjoy my predictions, there's rarely any I get right.
2010
NBA Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
Finals MVP: LeBron James
Eastern Conference Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
MVP: LeBron James
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Rookie of the Year: James Harden
All Star MVP: Dirk Nowitzki
Scoring Champion: Dwyane Wade
Most Improved Player: Lou Williams
Comeback Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett
So there it is... these are my predictions.
Game on.
Green and gold final?
I'll happily admit that it's much too early to realistically handicap next years finals participants, although gut feeling suggests that the Lakers and the Celtics are doing good things to get themselves to the final two.
The Lakers signing of Ron Artest, while in my opinion a stupid and unnecessary risk, has raised their ceiling. That's a scary idea.
The Boston signing of Rasheed Wallace is brilliant. Just the shot in the arm this franchise needed, so long as Doc Rivers is prepared to use both Wallace and Garnett more sparingly to keep both fresh for the playoffs. Ideally they will both allow Perkins to take rests when his problematic shoulder is re-injured at some point as is inevitable. All that is outstanding is to resign Ray Allen, which I hope is done shortly.
I have to admit to not being a huge fan of the Cleveland signing of Shaq. Sure, it means they can defend Dwight Howard better, and he did slay them this year, but if Garnett had been healthy Cleveland wouldn't have faced the Orlando Magic anyway so changing the face of your team in response to the number two threat is rather foolish. Cleveland can still win, but now they'll win in spite of Shaq not because of him.
Choosing a team…
Over the past 18 years, I've been obsessed with Basketball and most notably the NBA. I was lucky enough to find the NBA just as Michael Jordan was turning it into his own personal showcase. The trading cards, posters, magazines and video games were all my life revolved around.
I opened my first packet of NBA Hoops trading cards and instantly fell in love. I had Michael Jordan in my first pack, facing up and looking at me! I felt like Charlie Bucket with the golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory!
It soon turned sour as I realised, albeit less than a second later that my golden ticket was none other than Gary Grant of the LA Clippers. Even to this day, I still have not replaced that intial feeling of pure elation.
Like Mike? Not in any way...
With Chicago doing their thing for so long in the 90's, I found myself, (like most others my age) being captivated by Da' Bulls. Every time they brought a new guy in, I'd want to know what number he'd wear, what role he'd play and most importantly how he would fit in with Mike and Scottie.
Over the years I would have brief love affairs with different teams. I loved the New York Knicks of 1991-1998. I loved the Indiana Pacers of 1993-1995. I even had a brief fling with the Denver Nuggets of the early 90's, but only when Robert Pack was there. I guess I've always been searching for a team to follow but ultimately my relationships with individual players keeps my heart spread thin across the NBA.
These days it's Kobe Bryant. I love nearly everything about the guy's talent and skill level. He is hated on by a large chunk of the NBA fan base, (including Ryan) but maybe that's what appeals to me? I don't know.
However, there's certain players that you can't help but love. These guys, no matter who you follow are just on a level that makes you not only like them but respect them and their effort. Guys like Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Ray Allen... you get the idea.
I currently find myself feeling more compelled than ever to choose a team to follow. It seems that over the years I've rubbed up next to certain teams due mainly to the Superstars that wear their colors.
I am currently a Lakers fan by default. Kobe Bryant is my favorite player and I have watched this Lakers team grow weaker, stronger and then stronger again since the Malone/Payton debarcle in 2004. I always enjoyed watching the Lakers during their Championship run to open the current millenium. Magic Johnson and his crew have always held a place in my heart too and I've watched a lot of their successes retrospectively.
With the Lakers, and more notably Kobe Bryant about to reach the top of the mountain again, I find myself back in that old position. I feel the need to align myself with a team. The obvious choice is the Lakers but something is telling me it's time to move on, especially if they win the title.
I have always loved the Knicks, and to smell the air in Madison Square Garden in 2006 was a highlight of my life. We visited in May and the Knicks were well and truly on vacation by then. We took the $17 tour and while the locker rooms were incredible, it was the sheer luck that showed its face when we viewed the court that blew me away. We expected to see the Liberty court, a boxing ring, a concert being set up or an ice hockey layout but were blown away to find that the Knicks floor was receiving maintenance. Definitely a good reason to choose the Knicks, but I would feel a little odd joining them now when they're about to spend all the millions on refitting their team. I mean, they've been so bad for so long... it would be like jumping on the Celtics in 2007.
Could I go back to the Bulls? I have always loved them. I loved their role players and coaches, not just Jordan and Pippen. The trouble I have here is that although this is true, it was ultimately their success that got me started and Michael Jordan rarely failed. I didn't have to earn the success or follow them through any hardship. Even when Mike dropped the ball against the Orlando Magic in 1995, it wasn't long before the Bulls claimed another three titles. It just seemed normal and right that they would.
Watching the Lakers fall against the Celtics last year has made me enjoy the ride this year even more. The fact that the Lakers have had nothing given to them this year makes their current state all the more enjoyable.
With all of these thoughts in my mind, I'm going to have to think some more. I really want a team to call my own but history seems to be getting in the way...
Maybe a team with a short history would suit better?
A beautiful reprive…
It seems that I cannot really say anymore on this until the 2-0 lead has eventuated.. So I will agree to disagree for now. However, when the 2-0 DOES become a reality, I will be in full flight. You're on notice.
I decided to find something else to keep me occupied while I waited for the Lakers to happen. So what did I do? I took a peek into my 75+ VCR tape stash to find something fun to write about. After inserting the first of the un-labelled tapes, I was disappointed to see that I'd recorded the movie "The Wash". Dr Dre is a genius and all, but my God that was an average film.
My eyes then spotted an old Video Store copy of "Big Momma's House" starring Martin Lawrence. The anti-dubbing slot had been covered with adhesive tape. What would I have been so desperate to tape that I would declare myself so open to a video store fine? Well, it was a Minnesota @ Cleveland game from what looked like about 2004. I saw KG hit a turn around jump shot over LeBron, smiled to myself and mentally noted the fun it will be to watch that at a later date.
Finally, I decided that three is a charm and inserted my final choice. I press PLAY and am wonderfully excited to find the 1998 ECF Game 7 between Indiana and Chicago. "I don't guarantee anything, not even to my wife... but we're going to win this game" says MJ...
Ah MJ.. good to have you back. Where's the keys to my Delorian? *sigh*
With the starting lineups being displayed, I quickly had super terrific double joy as I realised that this was the series where Scottie Pippen tore Mark Jackson a new church seat and that I could just yell "Momma there goes that MAN!" on every play. Some things, (not many) are better than Basketball. This is one of those things.
I was also quickly reminded of how many ridiculous fouls Luc Longley had called on him towards the end of his Bulls career. The NBA was lucky Luc didn't have a Ron Artest-like devil on his left shoulder or Auburn Hills in 2004 would've looked like Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone's "pleasure town". The big Aussie just stood there with his arms straight up and was somehow at fault! It happened against Shawn Kemp in the '96 Finals too. Kemp had about 12-15 free throws in that series that were completely unwarranted. Oh, the memories...
Quarter time: Pacers lead 27-19. I now open a beer, (knowing the Bulls win) and decide to take a new look at this game... I want to see in this Bulls team, where I want the improvement in the 2009 Lakers to come from. So now, the new mission begins...
Firstly, I'm not comparing Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant. Let's just get that out the way from the start. I never have and never will. Different players, different time, blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda... But, one thing is certain, the architecture of the teams is the same. So there will be similarities and I should be able to solve the Lakers Playoff woes in the next two hours. By the way, that beer was my first and only.
Kukoc wanders around the court like the robot guy from the Chappelle Show. I cannot put into words how lost he looks in all aspects of the game so far other than when he shoots the ball. Even Scottie high fives "at" him when they.. Err.. rejoice. Toni even has the audacity to complain for fouls on nearly every shot attempt inside the arc. You just don't command any respect from the referees when you argue on EVERY call. Here's my first point;
Pau and Odom especially need to "man up" and play tougher. No more whining on every inside play. No more yelling on EVERY shot attempt from inside the paint. This must stop immediately unless they dunk on someone with the foul.
Steve Kerr hits a big three and then plays hard on defense to secure a steal for the Bulls. It's physical defense and doesn't allow any easy post entry passes. In the space of 3 minutes, Kerr has not only secured two contested defensive boards, but he has hit one open three and importantly been open for two others. After approximately six minutes of game time under his belt, Kerr has now got eight points on 2 for 2 from the arc. Second point;
This is where the Vujacic's, the Brown's and most importantly the Fisher's can flourish. We always say defense creates offense but this is just poetry in motion. Momentum is arguably the most important weapon in a team's arsenal, and especially for the Lakers at Staples Center. If the currently anemic Laker guards commit themselves to tough physical defense and hustle, everyone who's ever followed this sport will know what comes next. Open looks, big shots and crowd frenzies/silences depending on the location of the game.
Interesting point: Travis Best is just killing the Bulls off the dribble. Phil hasn't made a change and Kerr is now hoping for help defense like freshman nerd in a school cafeteria.
Half time: Bulls lead 48-45. Why the turnaround? Hustle. I've just seen offensive put-backs, offensive tips, kicked ball violations and no complaining to the refs. Jordan waits until the half-time buzzer sounds to give referee Hugh Evans a spray but he makes his heated point and moves on. Good leadership.
The third quarter is just a great advertisment for hustle, strong rebounding and just great screening and shooting. Kukoc has nailed 14 points in the third and has complained for a foul on all but two made shots. Reggie Miller and Rik Smits have more chemistry on baseline screens than Arnold Jackson and Mr Drummond. Just a great quarter of Basketball. Jordan has picked up 4 defensive boards in this quarter including two contested against Dale Davis. Wow.
Miller and Smits had great chemistry. A car would've come in handy to run down Michael Jordan though.
Three quarter time: Bulls lead 69-65
The real players stand up in the 4th. It's as simple as that. The Pacers start out strong and Michael is cooking an 0 for 8 field goal stew. The drought is ended with a driving dunk on Rik Smits. I guess the world does beat the tune of just one drum. Mike's drum. Mike has shot 9 of 24 from the field and 8 for 11 from the line for his 26 points. These are the same Kobe numbers that people ridicule Bryant for. Funny how that happens, although it's the intangibles that sets Mike apart here. The rebounding, the intensity, the drive and dish, the unwavering demonstration of excellence. Kerr takes a charge on Travis Best. Is Phil Jackson a motivational genius here? Or just lucky?
The game is won in the final two minutes, and whose fingerprints are all over the win? Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, and some guys named rebounding, defensive pressure and aggresive drives to the basket. The Bulls finish with 22 offensive rebounds to Indiana's 7. It all comes down to hustle, determination and the belief that beating your opponent isn't necessarily about scoring more than your opposition.. it's about stopping your opponent from scoring more than you.
Memo to the Lakers, watch this game. It is exactly what you have to do to win the 2009 NBA Championship. And not for one game... but for 8 of them.
There's the challenge... I love the Playoffs.
Speaking of vacations…
I love that you mentioned National Lampoon's... I can just see Danny Ainge wrapped in plastic on the roof of the family station wagon right now with Doc Rivers driving and Paul Pierce crying in the passenger seat. Sam Cassell's collar would be dragging behind the car, Eddie House and Rajon Rondo would be bugging each other in the back and I can picture it now... they get to Cleveland no one is there as the series has moved to Orlando. Somehow Damon Stoudamire or Charlie Murphy would need to be involved, afterall we do have to end this with a gun fight.
The Lakers bench fired last year and got run into by KG and a bunch of budding actresses. While they haven't exactly "had talent" in this year's Playoffs, I fail to see how the Laker bench can continue to come up short with so much on the line. I go back to Phil... even if he is handing Sasha a book entitled "The little Euro who lost his way"...
Walton I do worry about however. He seems to have lost any rock star status he may have once had. Not to say he was an All-Star, but he certainly did have a certain mojo about him and his game that demanded respect and seemingly made people think he was dating Britney.
Go Lakers!