#10--PTI
#9--Kevin Smith movies not named "Jersey Girl"
#8--Seinfeld episodes
#7--Sam Cassell. Odd, but he deserves to be on this list, since he is usually the Pistons' best player when he is on the floor. As stated previously, Eddie House only looked good in the last series because the Cavs bench was THAT BAD.
#6--Cram Max. I love this guy. So angry, and so fun to watch
#5--Getting 18 holes in on a 74 degree May afternoon
#4--Mr. Herbert, the old guy on "Family Guy". Hey there muscly-arm, you wanna come down to the basement? I got a bunch of popsicles down there. MMMMMMMMMMMM.
#3--Stuckey. He needs to play at least 20 minutes a game here on out. Anything less is inexcusable
#2--Mall Chinese food.
#1--Billups gutting it out for the good of the franchise. Here's hoping the Pistons can do some voodoo magic on his hammy and squeeze aboot 16 points and 10 assists out of it for a win tonite. I'm still sticking to my original prediction--Pistons in 6.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Hate List, 1 day later
I can't believe I forgot my personal Piston Enemy #1--Rip Hamilton.
While he certainly wasn't the only reason why the D underachieved so horribly tonight, he certainly didn't help with his turnovers, poor shots, and cheap shot to Garnett's head during the 3rd quarter.
It was also no coincidence that the Pistons looked their best without Hamilton in the game in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. And I would be intrigued to know how much Hunter, Tey-Tey, Stuck, Dice and Sheed had played together before they hit the floor during the 4th quarter, spearheading a run to cut the lead to 6. Stuckey looked very good and deserves more time on the floor. Still not sure why they don't play Billups, Stuck, Tey, and Hunter together. Tey can defend Powe, and certainly can't do worse with Garnett than Sheed did tonight. Garnett was unguardable tonight, as Piston double-teams never came quickly enough and the Pistons failed to defend any screen-roll involving Garnett.
I really like Van Gundy as an announcer, he's not flashy, but really knows the game and has astute things to say, especially on the defensive end.
I may not be updating this until next Tuesday, but please come on back next week. Here's hoping the Pistons find themselves in Game 2.
While he certainly wasn't the only reason why the D underachieved so horribly tonight, he certainly didn't help with his turnovers, poor shots, and cheap shot to Garnett's head during the 3rd quarter.
It was also no coincidence that the Pistons looked their best without Hamilton in the game in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. And I would be intrigued to know how much Hunter, Tey-Tey, Stuck, Dice and Sheed had played together before they hit the floor during the 4th quarter, spearheading a run to cut the lead to 6. Stuckey looked very good and deserves more time on the floor. Still not sure why they don't play Billups, Stuck, Tey, and Hunter together. Tey can defend Powe, and certainly can't do worse with Garnett than Sheed did tonight. Garnett was unguardable tonight, as Piston double-teams never came quickly enough and the Pistons failed to defend any screen-roll involving Garnett.
I really like Van Gundy as an announcer, he's not flashy, but really knows the game and has astute things to say, especially on the defensive end.
I may not be updating this until next Tuesday, but please come on back next week. Here's hoping the Pistons find themselves in Game 2.
Monday, May 19, 2008
5-19-08 Hate List
As of today, here's my personal hate list. Everyone has one, it is always changing depending on what you are doing, where you are at, and possibly even what you are having for dinner that night.
#1--Many Ginobili. I name him this on purpose because there have been so MANY times while watching Spurs games that I've wanted him to suffer many injuries to many different parts of his body.
#2--Snow.
#3--People who don't use their blinkers
#4--Any Celtic. This includes Kevin Garnett, who is making his first appearance on this list; however, I'm really getting tired of the G2 commercial and I have a feeling I'm only going to see it more over the next 2 weeks.
#5--The gray hairs I saw during my last haircut
#6--Scottie Pippen. This may seem to be a bit odd, but after going through the 11-disc extravanganza involving the '89 Pistons, he gets named to this list 2 decades later.
#7--Robert Horry/Wally Sczazzberiak. Essentially the same dude at this point in their careers.
#8--Mark Jackson. Purely anticipatory; based on the Celtic Pride he displayed during Game 7. He sounded as if he were jockeying for a job interview if Doc would have been unemployed following a Celtic loss to the Cavs.
#9--Bill Simonson. He is on a Cal Ripken-esque consecutive weeks streak on this list.
#10--Storms that interrupt my DirecTV service while trying to watch G7 of the Spurs/Hornets series.
Oh, and Pistons in 6. They win G1 on the road, then everyone holds serve at home, with the D winning the series on its home floor. How sweet is it going to be to beat the Celtics, then play the Lakers in the Finals? Break out the short shorts and the Bad Boys skull and crossbones T-shirts!
#1--Many Ginobili. I name him this on purpose because there have been so MANY times while watching Spurs games that I've wanted him to suffer many injuries to many different parts of his body.
#2--Snow.
#3--People who don't use their blinkers
#4--Any Celtic. This includes Kevin Garnett, who is making his first appearance on this list; however, I'm really getting tired of the G2 commercial and I have a feeling I'm only going to see it more over the next 2 weeks.
#5--The gray hairs I saw during my last haircut
#6--Scottie Pippen. This may seem to be a bit odd, but after going through the 11-disc extravanganza involving the '89 Pistons, he gets named to this list 2 decades later.
#7--Robert Horry/Wally Sczazzberiak. Essentially the same dude at this point in their careers.
#8--Mark Jackson. Purely anticipatory; based on the Celtic Pride he displayed during Game 7. He sounded as if he were jockeying for a job interview if Doc would have been unemployed following a Celtic loss to the Cavs.
#9--Bill Simonson. He is on a Cal Ripken-esque consecutive weeks streak on this list.
#10--Storms that interrupt my DirecTV service while trying to watch G7 of the Spurs/Hornets series.
Oh, and Pistons in 6. They win G1 on the road, then everyone holds serve at home, with the D winning the series on its home floor. How sweet is it going to be to beat the Celtics, then play the Lakers in the Finals? Break out the short shorts and the Bad Boys skull and crossbones T-shirts!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Cleveland-Boston, Game 7 lowlights
G7 inventory--Nachos, check. Kool-aid, check. Sam Cassell's 5 Ace bandages, check. Let's do this!
I simply continue to be amazed at how awful both of these teams' benches are. After the "great hustle play" by Eddie House in the second quarter resulting in a technical foul for being an idiot, Cleveland was sitting on 25 points in 17 minutes. BronBron was 5-11, and the REST OF THE TEAM was 4-18 from the floor. Just to further illuminate how BAD both benches are--Eddie House is looking like a "great bench spark", according to Mark Jackson. You telling me that Gerry McNamara wouldn't look like a legit NBA player if he was being defended by Szezerbiak or Pavlovic? Sczerbiak getting picked by KG late in the 2nd quarter was FEEEnominal. I am going to go to a Cavs game next year just to ride him like a ten-cent mechanical horse at Meijer.
And why the F was Eddie House's kid in the halftime interview? Could you imagine if Salley's kid entered the shot in a halftime interview? Mahorn would shove him out of the way while Laimbeer clotheslined Salley for letting it happen. I'm guessing that Eddie House, being Eddie House, isn't exactly used to being involved in the halftime interview, so he takes that opportunity to tell his kid what to get him from the concession stand at halftime so Eddie has a nice warm meal waiting for him on the bench.
P.J. Brown is one misstep away from a serious knee injury. I think it's great that the Celtics are attempting to let a 53-year old man get a ring as an active member of a team, but they need to stop throwing P.J. out there. Although I am beginning to enjoy his 3 borderline-dirty fouls every game. He gave Joe Smith a really nice shot to the back of the head in the 2nd quarter as Smith was poudning a 2-handed hammer down. Here's today's fun fact--PJ Brown played on the same team AS RICK MAHORN!!! That basically means that the "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" game could be played with PJ Brown tracing him directly to James Naismith.
Van Gundy brought up a GREAT point in the first quarter--he talked about how important it was to be physical ON DEFENSE early in the game in order to make the refs make hand-check calls early in the game; if those calls aren't made early, then they likely won't be made as the game goes along. BronBron was being massaged on virtually every halfcourt touch throughout the first half.
I can't believe how much Mark Jackson is tongue-bathing the Celtics, especially Paul Pierce. Jackson said that Pierce's 34 is a lock to be put in the rafters. Obviously Jackson didn't see the neat little stat the ABC people slapped on the screen a few times--PP has played in 51 playoff games, the most by any Celtic without a title. Pierce's "legacy" is certainly in place already--0 NBA Finals appearances, constant underachieving, and leading the Tanking 2007's. I'm not looking forward to the level of hate that Mark Jackson is going to level on the Pistons next week. And he also wanted to let everyone know that KG was the "defensive player of the year....in basketball". I want to let everyone know one season I was the defensive player of the year.....in NBA Live '97.
If the Pistons don't take apart either one of these teams in Game 1, then it's going to be a LONG series....espeically if it's the LeBrons in the Palace.
LASTLY--I can't believe how many cheap shots the Cavs have leveled in this game. I grew up with Laimbeer and Rodman dealing out some punishment, but you knew it was coming with those guys. The Cavs (along with Bowen and Horry) seem to enjoy the undercut/backpick variety of foul. Pavlovic's play on PP at the end of the half was just plain dirty--he hump-rode him from behind as Pierce was going up for a shot.
I simply continue to be amazed at how awful both of these teams' benches are. After the "great hustle play" by Eddie House in the second quarter resulting in a technical foul for being an idiot, Cleveland was sitting on 25 points in 17 minutes. BronBron was 5-11, and the REST OF THE TEAM was 4-18 from the floor. Just to further illuminate how BAD both benches are--Eddie House is looking like a "great bench spark", according to Mark Jackson. You telling me that Gerry McNamara wouldn't look like a legit NBA player if he was being defended by Szezerbiak or Pavlovic? Sczerbiak getting picked by KG late in the 2nd quarter was FEEEnominal. I am going to go to a Cavs game next year just to ride him like a ten-cent mechanical horse at Meijer.
And why the F was Eddie House's kid in the halftime interview? Could you imagine if Salley's kid entered the shot in a halftime interview? Mahorn would shove him out of the way while Laimbeer clotheslined Salley for letting it happen. I'm guessing that Eddie House, being Eddie House, isn't exactly used to being involved in the halftime interview, so he takes that opportunity to tell his kid what to get him from the concession stand at halftime so Eddie has a nice warm meal waiting for him on the bench.
P.J. Brown is one misstep away from a serious knee injury. I think it's great that the Celtics are attempting to let a 53-year old man get a ring as an active member of a team, but they need to stop throwing P.J. out there. Although I am beginning to enjoy his 3 borderline-dirty fouls every game. He gave Joe Smith a really nice shot to the back of the head in the 2nd quarter as Smith was poudning a 2-handed hammer down. Here's today's fun fact--PJ Brown played on the same team AS RICK MAHORN!!! That basically means that the "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" game could be played with PJ Brown tracing him directly to James Naismith.
Van Gundy brought up a GREAT point in the first quarter--he talked about how important it was to be physical ON DEFENSE early in the game in order to make the refs make hand-check calls early in the game; if those calls aren't made early, then they likely won't be made as the game goes along. BronBron was being massaged on virtually every halfcourt touch throughout the first half.
I can't believe how much Mark Jackson is tongue-bathing the Celtics, especially Paul Pierce. Jackson said that Pierce's 34 is a lock to be put in the rafters. Obviously Jackson didn't see the neat little stat the ABC people slapped on the screen a few times--PP has played in 51 playoff games, the most by any Celtic without a title. Pierce's "legacy" is certainly in place already--0 NBA Finals appearances, constant underachieving, and leading the Tanking 2007's. I'm not looking forward to the level of hate that Mark Jackson is going to level on the Pistons next week. And he also wanted to let everyone know that KG was the "defensive player of the year....in basketball". I want to let everyone know one season I was the defensive player of the year.....in NBA Live '97.
If the Pistons don't take apart either one of these teams in Game 1, then it's going to be a LONG series....espeically if it's the LeBrons in the Palace.
LASTLY--I can't believe how many cheap shots the Cavs have leveled in this game. I grew up with Laimbeer and Rodman dealing out some punishment, but you knew it was coming with those guys. The Cavs (along with Bowen and Horry) seem to enjoy the undercut/backpick variety of foul. Pavlovic's play on PP at the end of the half was just plain dirty--he hump-rode him from behind as Pierce was going up for a shot.
Get Your Jersey Dirty Day in Boston
My favorite play of the playoffs just happened in Game 7 of the Boston-Cleveland series.
Mid-2nd quarter. Sczerbiak gets stripped at halfcourt (not surprising). He turns to chase the ball, with Eddie House of the Celtics suddenly taking off after it. Keep in mind the basketball halfcourt is 47 feet long. Sczaxzerbiak had roughly a 4-foot head start. House beat him to the ball BEFORE it reached the other free throw line. Once Wally realized House was going to beat him to the ball, he attempted to foul House. However, Eddie passed a ball to a trailing James Posey and then Scazerczbiak went ahead and fouled him. It made me laugh out loud to see Sczazerbaik attempt to chase the ball while making the basketball court seem roughly 275 feet long, then get beat to the ball, then foul 2 different dudes out of complete frustration.
And one other thing--I NEVER want to hear anyone talk about how many jump balls and bad plays there are in the women's game after this series. I can't believe how many dumb ballhandling decisions have led to players "hustling" and diving on the ball/another dude.
Mid-2nd quarter. Sczerbiak gets stripped at halfcourt (not surprising). He turns to chase the ball, with Eddie House of the Celtics suddenly taking off after it. Keep in mind the basketball halfcourt is 47 feet long. Sczaxzerbiak had roughly a 4-foot head start. House beat him to the ball BEFORE it reached the other free throw line. Once Wally realized House was going to beat him to the ball, he attempted to foul House. However, Eddie passed a ball to a trailing James Posey and then Scazerczbiak went ahead and fouled him. It made me laugh out loud to see Sczazerbaik attempt to chase the ball while making the basketball court seem roughly 275 feet long, then get beat to the ball, then foul 2 different dudes out of complete frustration.
And one other thing--I NEVER want to hear anyone talk about how many jump balls and bad plays there are in the women's game after this series. I can't believe how many dumb ballhandling decisions have led to players "hustling" and diving on the ball/another dude.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
See his ones, see his guns
Alrighty--here's the list of the NBA players who make more money than Ben Wallace did this year. Let's just say that Joe Dumars probably made the right decision not re-signing him a few years ago. Also, Wallace still has 2 more years left on his deal. Wow.
You'll see that Wallace isn't the only bad decision on this list. In fact, you may even question how many NBA contracts are offered while the GM is in some sort of altered state.
In order of highest paid,
1-Garnett. Makes sense. Drafted before the NBA rookie cap, Garnett signed a lucrative deal with the T-Wolves, effectively killing their ability to build a title contender around him, not unlike A-Rod add the Rangers. Will now do the same for the Celtics, unless you count Sam Cassell and his Ace bandage around his lower back as a key signing.
2-Michael Finley. Yep, Michael Finley. He signed a 7-year deal with the Mavs one season after averaging a career-high 22 points a game. He hasn't been the same since, and was released by the Mavs in 2006 under a special one-time provision allowing NBA teams to release teams without having it count against their cap. Dallas is still paying Finley over 18 million dollars this year to play for the Spurs, but it isn't counting against their cap. Good thing Dallas signed him and not Steve Nash. Toss in the veteran minimum 3.1 mill that the Spurs are paying Michael Finley, and you get a pretty hefty paycheck for averaging 10 points a game.
3-(tie) Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson. Both players have 1 year left on the exact same contract. Each should have interesting seasons this year.
5-Shaq. He still has 2 years left on his deal.
6-Jason Kidd. The players aren't exactly getting younger or more worth these big deals, are they?
7-Jermaine O'Neal. Most people know him as "the softest player in the NBA." Occassionally, Pistons fans refer to him as "Detroit's best player" when the Pistons are busy double-teaming him into yet another poor decision.
8-Chris Webber. Wonder why he's always smiling on TNT? It's because of the absolutely awful contract the Kings signed him to. 7 years, 127 million dollars in 2001, following the Kings getting swept in the playoffs by the Lakers. The following year, the Kings absolutely gagged away game 7 in the Western Conference finals and were never the same. Chris Webber was absolute must-see TV in my world for about 7 years, from Michigan to his days with my man Chris Mullin and the Warriors, to teaming with Juwan Howard and Sheed with the Bullets, to those Kings teams. I was absolutely giddy when he signed with the Pistons last season. Most importantly, I'll always have fond memories of playing NBA '94 on the Sega Genesis with him and those Warriors--he was the best dunker on that game and single-handedly beat Kaffenberg's Laettner-led T-Wolves on many nights.
9-Kobe.
10-(tie) Duncan and McGrady. Duncan still has 4 years left on his deal, and the Spurs don't lose a key free agent after this season. Plus, they HAVE to be happy to get those checks from the Mavs to pay Finley's deal.
12-(tie) Baron Davis, Shawn Marion, and STEVE FRANCIS. Davis can opt out of his deal this summer and should be able to get a completely redonkulous deal from, say the Clips or Grizzle. So he'll be a mainstay on this list for years to come. Marion is entering the last year of his deal.
In August of 2002, the Rockets signed Steve Francis to a (now) mindblowing "max" deal--6 years, 90 million American dollars. He averaged 20 plus points for the Rockets and in the 03-04 season for Orlando, but has since served time with the Knicks, traded and released from the Blazers so he wouldn't poison their team...and then signed AGAIN by the Rockets to a multi-year deal?!? He played in 10 games this year, missing the rest due to a quad injury. He is returning to Houston next year to sign fat checks and back up Rafer Alston.
15-(tie) Antwan jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce. This one actually makes sense. All three were drafted in 1998. Dirk and Scowlin' Paul signed long-term deals at the same time. However, Jamison played out the last year of his "max" deal this year in Washington and will be an extremely highly courted free agent this year; so much so that Gilbert Arenas has said he will take less money in order for the Wiz ro re-sign both players this summer.
18-Uncle Ray-Ray Jesus Shuttlesworth. Has 2 years left on his deal. Should be essentially immobile by then. With the incredible lack of lateral movement he is putting on display in this year's playoffs, he may immediately go from a Celtics uniform to a set of crutches.
19-Rashard Lewis. Paid immediate dividends for Orlando this year as a poor rebounding 6-10 power forward. Should effectively tie up enough money to not allow Orlando to ever sign a legit free agent point guard to be able to defend Billups.
20-Bennie. Great signing by Paxson and the Bulls. I can see why they wouldn't sign D'Antoni because they want a "defensive-minded" coach--if Paxson is busily minting money for non-shooting forwards (Tyrus Thomas? Joakim?), you better get a coach who doesn't care whether or not he has a big guy who can make a 12-footer.
You'll see that Wallace isn't the only bad decision on this list. In fact, you may even question how many NBA contracts are offered while the GM is in some sort of altered state.
In order of highest paid,
1-Garnett. Makes sense. Drafted before the NBA rookie cap, Garnett signed a lucrative deal with the T-Wolves, effectively killing their ability to build a title contender around him, not unlike A-Rod add the Rangers. Will now do the same for the Celtics, unless you count Sam Cassell and his Ace bandage around his lower back as a key signing.
2-Michael Finley. Yep, Michael Finley. He signed a 7-year deal with the Mavs one season after averaging a career-high 22 points a game. He hasn't been the same since, and was released by the Mavs in 2006 under a special one-time provision allowing NBA teams to release teams without having it count against their cap. Dallas is still paying Finley over 18 million dollars this year to play for the Spurs, but it isn't counting against their cap. Good thing Dallas signed him and not Steve Nash. Toss in the veteran minimum 3.1 mill that the Spurs are paying Michael Finley, and you get a pretty hefty paycheck for averaging 10 points a game.
3-(tie) Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson. Both players have 1 year left on the exact same contract. Each should have interesting seasons this year.
5-Shaq. He still has 2 years left on his deal.
6-Jason Kidd. The players aren't exactly getting younger or more worth these big deals, are they?
7-Jermaine O'Neal. Most people know him as "the softest player in the NBA." Occassionally, Pistons fans refer to him as "Detroit's best player" when the Pistons are busy double-teaming him into yet another poor decision.
8-Chris Webber. Wonder why he's always smiling on TNT? It's because of the absolutely awful contract the Kings signed him to. 7 years, 127 million dollars in 2001, following the Kings getting swept in the playoffs by the Lakers. The following year, the Kings absolutely gagged away game 7 in the Western Conference finals and were never the same. Chris Webber was absolute must-see TV in my world for about 7 years, from Michigan to his days with my man Chris Mullin and the Warriors, to teaming with Juwan Howard and Sheed with the Bullets, to those Kings teams. I was absolutely giddy when he signed with the Pistons last season. Most importantly, I'll always have fond memories of playing NBA '94 on the Sega Genesis with him and those Warriors--he was the best dunker on that game and single-handedly beat Kaffenberg's Laettner-led T-Wolves on many nights.
9-Kobe.
10-(tie) Duncan and McGrady. Duncan still has 4 years left on his deal, and the Spurs don't lose a key free agent after this season. Plus, they HAVE to be happy to get those checks from the Mavs to pay Finley's deal.
12-(tie) Baron Davis, Shawn Marion, and STEVE FRANCIS. Davis can opt out of his deal this summer and should be able to get a completely redonkulous deal from, say the Clips or Grizzle. So he'll be a mainstay on this list for years to come. Marion is entering the last year of his deal.
In August of 2002, the Rockets signed Steve Francis to a (now) mindblowing "max" deal--6 years, 90 million American dollars. He averaged 20 plus points for the Rockets and in the 03-04 season for Orlando, but has since served time with the Knicks, traded and released from the Blazers so he wouldn't poison their team...and then signed AGAIN by the Rockets to a multi-year deal?!? He played in 10 games this year, missing the rest due to a quad injury. He is returning to Houston next year to sign fat checks and back up Rafer Alston.
15-(tie) Antwan jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce. This one actually makes sense. All three were drafted in 1998. Dirk and Scowlin' Paul signed long-term deals at the same time. However, Jamison played out the last year of his "max" deal this year in Washington and will be an extremely highly courted free agent this year; so much so that Gilbert Arenas has said he will take less money in order for the Wiz ro re-sign both players this summer.
18-Uncle Ray-Ray Jesus Shuttlesworth. Has 2 years left on his deal. Should be essentially immobile by then. With the incredible lack of lateral movement he is putting on display in this year's playoffs, he may immediately go from a Celtics uniform to a set of crutches.
19-Rashard Lewis. Paid immediate dividends for Orlando this year as a poor rebounding 6-10 power forward. Should effectively tie up enough money to not allow Orlando to ever sign a legit free agent point guard to be able to defend Billups.
20-Bennie. Great signing by Paxson and the Bulls. I can see why they wouldn't sign D'Antoni because they want a "defensive-minded" coach--if Paxson is busily minting money for non-shooting forwards (Tyrus Thomas? Joakim?), you better get a coach who doesn't care whether or not he has a big guy who can make a 12-footer.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Yikes
I know, two in one day, right?
I gotta do it--it's halftime of the SUCKFEST AT THE Q, also known as Game 6 of the Celtics-Cavs series. Holy. Crap.
I don't want to hear Doris Burke talk about how "hard the teams are guarding each other". That makes absolutely no sense. Either you guard someone, or you don't. There are no levels of difficulty involved. And now that I think about it, I don't think I want to hear her say anything anymore. The half was terrible. BronBron tried to dribble through 5 guys on every play. Sczerbiak needs to just stop playing. Dead Ben Wallace is an absolute negative on offense. Also, what's up with him not being in the arena during introductions? I didn't know that fireworks affected people with inner ear infections. Apparently that inner ear infection also affects his ability to make a shot from outside of 6 feet, or your ability to sign ludicrously fat checks. Wanna know how much money Ben Wallace made this year? 15,500,000 dollars. Wow. There are only 16 players in the NBA who make more money than Ben Wallace. Let that little stat wash over your brain.
Amazingly enough, the Cavs discovered they had this big dude named Ilgauskus who can make a 15-footer. I have zero idea why Mike Brown continues to involve Dead Ben Wallace or Sideshow Bob in screen-rolls with BronBron. The Z-Man needs to be in every one of those screen-rolls. Also, I'm not sure who is less athletic at this point in their career; Wally Sczezzzczerbiak, Ray Allen, or me. Sxzcerbiak took a shot that caused the play by play guy to audibly gasp, followed by a mild guffaw.
And I forgot to add Damon Jones to my hate list earlier this week. He couldn't possibly suck any more. He had played exactly 0 minutes, 0 seconds in the first 5 games of this series, which is precisely how much he should play. Since the Cavs are Boobie-less tonite, they foisted Damon upon us to begin the second quarter. He managed to squeeze off 2 shots within the first 57 seconds of the quarter. Not surprisingly, neither went in. Also not suprisingly, after one of the assistant coaches told Mike Brown that Damon Jones was playing in an elimination game, Jones was seen sulking at the far end of the bench during the second quarter. Without looking it up, guess how much money Damon Jones made this year. I'm going to tell you, but you have to promise to not get angry. Promise? Okay, here goes----4,172,372 American Dollars. You said you wouldn't get angry. Stop swearing. I won't do it again. And no, those shouldn't be decimal points--the commas are placed correctly. Cram Max, Afflallo and Stuckey combined to make 3,555,480.
Also, I continue to be amazed at how the Celtics have absolutely no rotation ideas whatsoever. Cassell goes from big minutes to none. Glen "Big Double Chin Baby" Davis played more than James Posey. Garnett made 6 first half FG, rest of team 8 FG.
I gotta do it--it's halftime of the SUCKFEST AT THE Q, also known as Game 6 of the Celtics-Cavs series. Holy. Crap.
I don't want to hear Doris Burke talk about how "hard the teams are guarding each other". That makes absolutely no sense. Either you guard someone, or you don't. There are no levels of difficulty involved. And now that I think about it, I don't think I want to hear her say anything anymore. The half was terrible. BronBron tried to dribble through 5 guys on every play. Sczerbiak needs to just stop playing. Dead Ben Wallace is an absolute negative on offense. Also, what's up with him not being in the arena during introductions? I didn't know that fireworks affected people with inner ear infections. Apparently that inner ear infection also affects his ability to make a shot from outside of 6 feet, or your ability to sign ludicrously fat checks. Wanna know how much money Ben Wallace made this year? 15,500,000 dollars. Wow. There are only 16 players in the NBA who make more money than Ben Wallace. Let that little stat wash over your brain.
Amazingly enough, the Cavs discovered they had this big dude named Ilgauskus who can make a 15-footer. I have zero idea why Mike Brown continues to involve Dead Ben Wallace or Sideshow Bob in screen-rolls with BronBron. The Z-Man needs to be in every one of those screen-rolls. Also, I'm not sure who is less athletic at this point in their career; Wally Sczezzzczerbiak, Ray Allen, or me. Sxzcerbiak took a shot that caused the play by play guy to audibly gasp, followed by a mild guffaw.
And I forgot to add Damon Jones to my hate list earlier this week. He couldn't possibly suck any more. He had played exactly 0 minutes, 0 seconds in the first 5 games of this series, which is precisely how much he should play. Since the Cavs are Boobie-less tonite, they foisted Damon upon us to begin the second quarter. He managed to squeeze off 2 shots within the first 57 seconds of the quarter. Not surprisingly, neither went in. Also not suprisingly, after one of the assistant coaches told Mike Brown that Damon Jones was playing in an elimination game, Jones was seen sulking at the far end of the bench during the second quarter. Without looking it up, guess how much money Damon Jones made this year. I'm going to tell you, but you have to promise to not get angry. Promise? Okay, here goes----4,172,372 American Dollars. You said you wouldn't get angry. Stop swearing. I won't do it again. And no, those shouldn't be decimal points--the commas are placed correctly. Cram Max, Afflallo and Stuckey combined to make 3,555,480.
Also, I continue to be amazed at how the Celtics have absolutely no rotation ideas whatsoever. Cassell goes from big minutes to none. Glen "Big Double Chin Baby" Davis played more than James Posey. Garnett made 6 first half FG, rest of team 8 FG.
Eastern Finals
6 consecutive years now for the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. 6 years ago I was still student-teaching, living in a crappy apartment in Allendale and looking forward to Moosehead Thursdays. Now, I'm living in a semi-crappy apartment in Cincinnati and looking forward to the Office on Thursdays.
At this point, I would rather the Pistons play the Cavs over the Celtics. At one point in Game 4, the Cavs had West, Szerzerabiak, Pavlovic, Varejo and Wallace on the floor at the same time. Yikes. That ain't exactly the 84 Celtics.
At this point, neither team's bench is very deep, but the Cavs really lose an important piece in Boobie, an aggressive, quick shooter who had a great series against the Pistons in last year's playoffs. Tonight's game could be an interesting one...I wouldn't be surprised if the Celts give BronBron every shot he wants while trying to limit everyone else's open looks. I also don't understand why the Cavs don't get Ilgauskus going more offensively. They should be able to stretch the Celts out better if the Z--Man gets it going on the block.
Barkley said the winner of the Jazz and Lakers wins the NBA title. I would severely disagree with that statement. I believe the teams are so evenly matched in the west, there is no way you can definitively pick a winner at this point in the playoffs. What I do know is that the Conference finals are going to be incredibly intense and filled with plenty of Spurs' cheap shots, Chris Paul alley-oops, redonkulous stare-downs from KG, and plenty of Flip-Mode facial tics while Rip gives up plenty of perimeter jumpers after half-hearted attempts to double-team the ball.
At this point, I would rather the Pistons play the Cavs over the Celtics. At one point in Game 4, the Cavs had West, Szerzerabiak, Pavlovic, Varejo and Wallace on the floor at the same time. Yikes. That ain't exactly the 84 Celtics.
At this point, neither team's bench is very deep, but the Cavs really lose an important piece in Boobie, an aggressive, quick shooter who had a great series against the Pistons in last year's playoffs. Tonight's game could be an interesting one...I wouldn't be surprised if the Celts give BronBron every shot he wants while trying to limit everyone else's open looks. I also don't understand why the Cavs don't get Ilgauskus going more offensively. They should be able to stretch the Celts out better if the Z--Man gets it going on the block.
Barkley said the winner of the Jazz and Lakers wins the NBA title. I would severely disagree with that statement. I believe the teams are so evenly matched in the west, there is no way you can definitively pick a winner at this point in the playoffs. What I do know is that the Conference finals are going to be incredibly intense and filled with plenty of Spurs' cheap shots, Chris Paul alley-oops, redonkulous stare-downs from KG, and plenty of Flip-Mode facial tics while Rip gives up plenty of perimeter jumpers after half-hearted attempts to double-team the ball.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
R2
A very solid 2nd half for the D in tonight's game. Billups had the type of game expected (and needed) from him in his matchup against the Orlando point guards. I also liked putting Tey Tey on Hedo and not Lewis--that shows the respect (or lack thereof) the D has for Rashard Lewis. Dwight Howard is still a broad-shouldered one-trick pony--he can't shoot FT's, he is a BAD face-up post player outside the paint, and is not a great passer. Detroit went zone, put bodies between Howard and teh rim, and closed out effectively on shooters. And I honestly like Herrmann getting some good 4th quarter run and getting under the skin of the Orlando players.
It wasn't all roses and candy in the first half, though. Detroit stood around a TON in the second quarter as they tried to post Dice against Hedo repeatedly, with Rip attempting to throw the entry pass instead of Stuckey or Chauncey. Dooling and Hedo got to the rim rather easily at times. Also, while Maxiell had a great second half, he is not a great screen-roll player; Detroit attempted to get Howard away from the rim by getting Cram Maxx in some screen-rolls, which didn't work out well in the first half. Second half, Cram did a great job of moving from the weakside and making plays.
All in all, a very good series opener; especially considering Boston is staring down a game 7 tomorrow while the LeBrons rest up. It was also great to see everyone favorite Dookie, Redick, in the game late and squeezing off a bunch of inconsequential 3's.
I'm excited to watch the Hornets-Spurs series. I think the Lakers beat the Jazz; but I'm not sure about the Spurs getting past NO.
It wasn't all roses and candy in the first half, though. Detroit stood around a TON in the second quarter as they tried to post Dice against Hedo repeatedly, with Rip attempting to throw the entry pass instead of Stuckey or Chauncey. Dooling and Hedo got to the rim rather easily at times. Also, while Maxiell had a great second half, he is not a great screen-roll player; Detroit attempted to get Howard away from the rim by getting Cram Maxx in some screen-rolls, which didn't work out well in the first half. Second half, Cram did a great job of moving from the weakside and making plays.
All in all, a very good series opener; especially considering Boston is staring down a game 7 tomorrow while the LeBrons rest up. It was also great to see everyone favorite Dookie, Redick, in the game late and squeezing off a bunch of inconsequential 3's.
I'm excited to watch the Hornets-Spurs series. I think the Lakers beat the Jazz; but I'm not sure about the Spurs getting past NO.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
