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    Clearing The Mind

    Wednesday, May 24, 2006, 10:03 AM EST [General]

    After a wild weekend, which saw my wife and I buy our first home, my newborn daughter baptized, followed by Monday's announcement and the subsequent turn of events in NGS II, I haven't had time to collect my thoughts and put out an actual post about the NBA Playoffs. In the spirit of that, here's a bunch of things I've been collecting on an internal notepad the past few days and need to get them out. I'm fearful that if I don't, I'm going to turn into a sports version of Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect. Mavs-Spurs -It was clear to from the first quarter of the Mavs-Spurs game who was should win. You just never know with the officiating these days if the right team will win. Don't get me wrong, had the Spurs won, they would have semi-deserved it with that amazing run in the third and fourth quarter, but I was beginning to believe that David Stern, seated just rows away from Mark Cuban, really did have it in for him. Stern almost smiled at times (at least it seemed that way on TV) as the Spurs made their run back from 20 down. Cuban was glaring out the corner of his eye in Stern's direction. Can we get a Stern-Cuban match as the main event at Wrestle Mania next year? -Is there anyone who gets more calls, but complains more in big spots than Tim Duncan? Where were the fouls that they called on Dampier and Van Horn? Even when TNT was bold enough to show the replays, they weren't there. The call on Van Horn in the 4th quarter, where his hands are straight up and Duncan moves into him is incredible. I must have rewound TiVo five times. I was speechless (probably because my wife, four year old son and baby daughter were all asleep). When Duncan commits the same fouls that are called on these guys, he complains every time. This reminds me... -If this career in basketball doesn't pan out, Duncan could always teach lessons to the Hollywood crowd on how to act surprised at their name being called during awards season with his "Who me?!? No...It..Can't..Be...Me" Face. -The Mavs first half was a thing of beauty, more impressive because it was the Dallas Mavericks of all teams, on the road, against the Spurs in a Game 7. Scoring on 14 of their first 16 possessions and shooting nearly 77% until about 2 minutes to go in the second quarter, it was one of the best Game 7 starts I've ever seen. They were playing in a different gear than San Antonio, from the out-of-bounds plays to defense, to loose balls-that first half set the tone and gave the Mavericks the confidence they needed late in the game. -Did anyone else see the David Hasselhoff poster in the crowd during the game? Was that a Dirk Nowitzki fan? A family member? Does this in fact prove Norm MacDonald's theory that Germans, indeed, love David Hasselhoff? Suns-Clippers -Just too magical to believe the Clippers could win, I guess. But it doesn't help your cause when you play differently than you did most of the series. The Clippers had gone with a smaller lineup during their wins; a lineup which could get back down the floor on made shots and defend the perimeter well. Suddenly, Chris Kaman's back logging significant minutes in Game 7. The Suns made him look like his feet were in concrete (which isn't a difficult task). -Where do the Clippers go from here? The ultimate crossroads for a downtrodden franchise is the year after it gets over the hump. So what do the Clippers do? Does Donald Sterling pony up again this summer for a couple key free agents like he did last summer? Does Elgin Baylor keep Cassell? It is conceivable that that Baylor, in a span of about three years could go from one of the 'Worst Executives of the Year' to 'Executive of the Year' to one of the 'Worst Executives of the Year'. It all depends on the next five months. -We'll know everything we need to know about the Suns tonight in Game 1. Nash's legs, their streaky shooting, their size difference to Dallas and if D'Antoni can match wits with Avery Johnson, because Gregg Popovich couldn't. Dallas is a much different beast than the two L.A.'s. Now is when Phoenix needs Amare Stoudamire most. Pistons-Heat -About two weeks ago, I wrote about how Shaq had lost the 'eye of the tiger'. While I said Shaq wasn't the dominate force he always was, he could be dominant every other game. I figured with all that rest from taking the Nets out in five games, he'd be a major force last night. But after watching the game, it's even more clear to me that Dwyane Wade, Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and Co. have to carry this team. He was slow on defense-didn't move his feet and got into foul trouble, only playing 29 minutes. This was in the face of a Pistons team that was a little tired from their seven-game series with the Cavs. If the Heat are going to win this series and the next, they need more from the Diesel in the games you can count on him at full strength (and to keep him away from guarding Detroit's high screens.) -I am anxiously waiting another "guaransheed" win for the Pistons in Game 2. It's beyond comical. -Still am not of the opinion that a win in the conference finals or a series win in the conference finals justifies Pat Riley booting out Stan Van Gundy. Not even winning an NBA Championship will do it. You just don't treat "friends" like that. There, it feels better to have emptied those thoughts--ready to work on the first finalist assignment now...and pack for the move...and change the baby's diaper...
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    We are all witnesses

    Thursday, May 18, 2006, 10:05 AM EST [General]

    I was a witness last night. From this day forward, I'll know where I was when it happened. I just can't figure out exactly what I was a witness to. Was it the day that LeBron James became without a doubt, the best basketball player on the planet? Or the day we saw the mighty Pistons fall, thus ending the reign of "team chemistry basketball" in the NBA? It's both. After James' 32 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and one block in the Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 upset win over the Detroit Pistons at the Palace, I'm anything but innocent anymore. I can enjoy the displays that Kobe Bryant puts on, I can still love the Los Angeles Lakers and I can still admire Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. But I can no longer deny LeBron is far more advanced at 21 than anyone in NBA history. What I think I need most right now is to be enrolled in the 'Witness Protection Program'. We still can't compare him to Jordan (which is almost becoming a compliment to James)-he passes like Michael never could. Nor rightfully can we call him Magic-he scores and drives and hits jumpers like Johnson never could; but we can say that LeBron James is fulfilling the prophecy. What do we do now that we know? Maybe we wait for his rival to emerge-like Magic, Michael and Larry had each other. Because, if we're truthful with ourselves, there's no debating James' has jumped up a level. Sure, he'll need to win some titles-but who else has or has ever had the potential since Magic to average a triple double for the entire season? But there have only been a handful of players who see the game this way-hitting game winners, dropping precision passers for game-winners, doing all the little things and saying all the right things. James trusts his team mates, yes, but he trusts himself even more. While we complain about Kobe's two versions of selfishness, we LeBron to be more selfish. Forget the MVP debate; it's clearly obvious to anyone who's watched the regular season and the playoffs that LeBron James is the best basketball player in the NBA. The way James understands the game is uncanny. Take his numbers in the regular season, (31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists per game) and the playoffs as an example: against Washington, James averaged 35.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field. He had to score more against the Wizards and Arenas because it was that kind of series. Against Detroit, LeBron has averaged 25.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7 assists per game. With a grind it out, defensive minded Pistons team focusing on him, LeBron's numbers are extraordinary. Last night, I was a witness to something else: perhaps the end of 'team chemistry basketball' as perfected for the past three seasons by the Detroit Pistons. Maybe they went away from the game plan, maybe they've become to cocky and coasted for the past three months, taking every other game off, or maybe they're just a victim of LeBron James. But what it must be like for Detroit right now, questioning everything. Lindsay Hunter taking your last good shot of the game? Missing out on the opportunity to capitalize at the end when Eric Snow throws the ball away? These aren't your older brother's Pistons. They lost three straight games to a Cleveland team that didn't even have their second best scorer. Do they even have a game plan for defending LeBron? The Pistons, since beating the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals, have been amassing an ego not rivaled since Willie Beamen in Any Given Sunday. Detroit approached the last four months of this season like the 2004 Lakers did. Which is why they're cooked-the Pistons became the exact opposite of what they once were. This series has implications well beyond this year. Think of what it would to Detroit's psyche from now on. How would they react next year to facing the Cavs? In future years? By beating the Pistons now, when James and the Cavs weren't supposed to, is bigger and has greater impact than beating them in a year or two. To Rip, Sheed, Chauncey, Big Ben and Tayshaun, losing this year will be inexplicable. What we're really witnessing is the changing landscape of the NBA. Used to be, a team would win games-individuals would entertain. But now, no longer do you need players who fit each role and get along. Start with a couple scorers (preferably one All-Star)-with speed and range on their jump shots-and surround them with role players. That's more or less what Dallas, Phoenix, Cleveland and L.A. (Lakers) have tried to do. And three of those teams are still playing-all with a 3-2 series lead. The only thing "guaransheed" right now is that LeBron James has made 'The Leap' and the Pistons way of basketball is on the verge of extinction. We haven't seen a player this dynamic at this age or a style shift like this since the 1980's. I was five months old when Magic made 'The Leap' in the 1980 NBA Finals. Probably still in diapers when Larry became a 'Legend' and had a short attention span, like any kid, who would rather sing the Gatorade commercials when Michael first became 'Jordan'. If I ignore this, I'm missing out of one of the biggest moments in the history of the NBA. Not many players get there, and no ones done it since the aforementioned "Big Three" did it in the 1980's. And rarely are there shifts in the formula for building a competitive team like we've seen with the Suns, Mavs and Cavs. Until now. I was watching when LeBron James made 'The Leap' and when the NBA shifted eras. Can I get a witness?
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    Larry Brown: One For The Money

    Monday, May 15, 2006, 12:01 PM EST [General]

    With the report that Larry Brown is about to become a very rich man (again) after he is eventually bought out as head coach of the New York Knicks-that's $48 million for Brown in one calendar year, for those playing at home-I tried to make sense of it all. What would cause a man to take a job like that in the first place? At the time of his hiring, Brown had accomplished so much in his career-but was getting older and facing much uncertainty with the Knicks. Was it really the money? Because after one season in New York, Larry Brown is limping away wounded from his "dream job". His impeccable record as a head coach is taking a hit and likewise, his ego. After a trip to Blockbuster, I think I've got it all figured out. Brown was Al Pacino's inspiration for his part in last fall's Matthew McConaughey/Pacino vehicle Two for the Money. The similarities between Pacino's character in the film and Larry Brown are eerily similar. Pacino plays Walter Abrams, the head of a New York gambling organization that "advises" sports gamblers. Part of the twist is that Abrams is a recovering gambling addict who can't help but continue to get in on the action. Abrams also has some health problems that he occasionally uses to his advantage. But Pacino's biggest contribution to this movie and the role are his speeches-which are highly entertaining and fast paced rants. He pushes prot
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    Shaq Missing The Eye of the Tiger

    Friday, May 12, 2006, 10:16 AM EST [General]

    Let's just settle the MVP debate right now...in my house, it's my wife. When it comes to our team, I play sidekick. I talk a lot, put up some solid numbers and take over for a little while-but in the stretch run, I defer to my wife when it comes to our newborn daughter-our daily opponent, who right now has a record like the '96 Bulls. In other words, in our house, I'm Shaquille O'Neal and my wife is Dwyane Wade. That worries me, because with Shaq Daddy, you don't know what you're getting anymore. As I watched a Rocky marathon last weekend, I realized that Shaq is in the Rocky V stage of his career. Long ago, O'Neal reserved his spot as one of the best NBA centers ever-his career 26.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game are a lock for the Hall of Fame. Off the court, Diesel has always been a fan favorite. He gives us good quotes, has a sense of humor and has a love of life we don't often see from professional athletes. After all, Shaq is the person who gave us Blue Chips, six rap albums and of course, the Reebok "Don't Fake the Funk on a Nasty Dunk" campaign. But on the court, the inevitable is here-Shaq lacks the hunger, the skills and the attack to be as dominate as he once was. Basically, he's every Rocky Balboa before the cool "regaining the hunger/turning point/training hard" montage. O'Neal doesn't impose fear anymore-in opposing centers, in opposing teams, or the refs. As expected, this is hard for Shaq (and us) to rationalize. When he's sent to the bench for early foul trouble, as he often has throughout the playoffs this year, he can only be thinking something like this: "But I've been doing the same moves my entire career-what's different now? They're all just floppers and the refs have it out for me." He sees every opposing center as a new version of Vlade Divac--massive jokes as defensive players, who fall down and don't move their feet; praying to draw the charge. In reality, Shaq's a big man who can't move his feet very good-his reaction times have slowed with age, and he really is committing fouls. Case in point: In the past five seasons, his personal fouls per game have gone from 3.0 in 2001-2002 to 3.9 this year. The refs aren't calling Shaq differently. Shaq is playing differently. It goes much deeper than that. O'Neal needs extra time to recuperate-it's clearly obvious he's much better on an extra day's rest. When the playoffs come around, he always steps it up a notch-but now, even that's getting to be a challenge. If Jason Collins (who isn't exactly Ivan Drago out there) is giving you problems, you know you're in your twilight. The last few years of his run with the Lakers, Shaq openly admitted to using the regular season as preparation for the playoffs. When you're an athlete in your 20's physical prime, that mindset works. When you're in your 30's...eh, not so much. In fourteen NBA seasons, Shaq has only missed the playoffs once-his rookie year with Orlando. But he's playing fewer and fewer regular season games-for the first time since an injury plagued 1996-1997 season (excluding the '99 lockout), Shaq played less than 60 games. Allen Iverson used to ask about the importance of practice...Shaq seems to be asking about the importance of the regular season. History and logic tells us that all great centers start a rapid decline around age 30-32. It's a time-told truth-like the inevitable fall of boy bands. Like most of the greats, one season you have it, then Kazaam!-the next your fighting injuries, age and fatigue. Like Brett Favre, Randy Johnson and so many before, Shaq shouldn't be told to quit-that's his decision (and despite how we like to remember the mega-stars who were nearly as large as the game, it will always be their decision). With that said, he is far removed from his days of dominance and the Shaq-Fu. Another case in point: for ten seasons, he averaged over 26 points per game. In the past three seasons, his points per game dropped to 21.5, climbed back to 22.9, and then dropped again to 20.9 this year. O'Neal only scored 30 points in a game four times this season. His last 40-point game in the regular season was December of 2003 against Washington. It doesn't help when Shaq loses role players like Eddie Jones and Damon Jones-who hit timely shots and played solid defense. Good team defense could hide Shaq's slower mobility (almost inability) now to block shots. And when O'Neal is forced to help out, he's moved away from the basket and can't recover fast enough to hit the boards. For the first time in his career, he's averaging less than ten total rebounds per game. I bet my wife is hoping my career doesn't decline to the point she can only count on me once every three days. She's putting up Wade-like numbers against the baby: 3 hours sleep, nursing and taking care of the 4 year old. If we're going to win a championship, I've got to step it up-just like Shaq. If we are to witness a "Shaqaissance", then Carl Weathers needs to get down to South Beach and whisper into O'Neal's ear: "There IS no tomorrow...got to get it back, man-the eye of the tiger!" And if neither Shaq nor I start contributing more to our respective teams, we'll both be out of jobs.
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    King George's Crumbling Empire

    Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 12:00 PM EST [General]

    There's a team in Major League Baseball that is embroiled in backstabbing, infighting, finger-pointing and more unanswered questions than an episode of The Office -but are just as funny. And that was just after the New York Yankees second straight loss of the season to the Boston Red Sox. Welcome to another episode of "As The Yankees Turn"-the ongoing story of a rich baseball owner who buys, sells and uses players about as often Kevin Federline sires children. There are so many different personalities on this team, Cybil would fit in perfectly. In fact, pencil her in for a potential 5th starter. It appears the fallout of 'Greatest Collapse Ever' in 2004 is still having its side effects. This is how dynasties and empires have crumbled throughout history isn't it? They lose a big battle, but technically the "off-the-cliff" fall from grace doesn't happen immediately. It takes a few years for the walls to really come down. But when they do, they fall hard. Thus, I give you exhibit 954B of fallen empires: The New York Yankees-at least for the foreseeable future. Nearly a month ago, I said the Yankees were on the downslide and Randy didn't look good. It may have been a tad premature, but it is true. Randy Johnson was supposed to be the ace of the staff. After giving up 7 runs, five hits, five walks and getting just three strikeouts on 92 pitches in 3 2/3 innings last night in a 14-3 loss to Boston, he's more like the lead donkey of the stable. "The Boss"-(I thought that nickname was reserved for Bruce Springsteen? Though, I bet King George does hum Glory Days a lot these days)-left after eight innings, presumably to beat traffic. As he left, he predictably lashed out at his high-priced team, specifically A-Rod, who committed two errors and hasn't had a clutch hit since Seattle. "I am upset at a lot of them" Steinbrenner said, when asked about Johnson. Before getting into the car, he said, "The third baseman", tipping us off with a cryptic clue as to who the responsible party really was for this loss. As a Red Sox fan, I don't really know why I care or find this all so intriguing, but I do. Playing devil's advocate for your rivals is fun when you're not the one with all the problems anymore. It's like being the black-sheep of the family only to find out that your brother is way more screwed up than you are. With that in mind, am I the only one noticing something strange about Steinbrenner? The last couple of seasons, he's remained surprisingly low key (for him)-even going so far as to promise GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Torre more space and less criticism. Now, suddenly, old George is back-playing the big, bad version of the Boss-with his scowl included at no additional cost. The way this whole saga is playing out eerily reminds me of the Kevin Kline film, Dave, in which Kline plays a guy (Dave) who looks just like the President and after a stroke renders the real President incapacitated, Dave acts like the President for months. I wonder if we are witnessing a "fake" George-stranger things have happened. The luck's run out, though, in the Yankees case, the money never will-but eventually you discover there's only so much proverbial gold at the end of the rainbow. And while they sit only a game back in the competitive A.L. East, its different this time. Perhaps the Yankees are getting what they deserve-should you really trust an aging pitcher with a mullet? Or a superstar with commitment issues (remember A-Rod's $252 million dollar contract with the Rangers that lasted three years and his inability to commit to a nation for the WBC)? How about handing over the hallowed reigns of centerfield to a player who throws like my four year old son does with his non-dominant hand? Maybe all these soap-opera like storylines-from Carl Pavano's fake injury to Gary Sheffield's new "injury=no-play" stance, to A-Rod's problems in the clutch, to Bernie Williams decline and Randy's rapidly decreasing dependability-are all part of a giant plan to scam Steinbrenner. It would be fitting, in a way, if that were the case. Because 99% of the other franchises in Major League Baseball can't make mistake after mistake after mistake in the front office and player personnel areas and still have a contender year after year. Cracks in the armor can't be concealed forever-like El Duque's age, it will eventually come to light. The story doesn't end, it just gets messier. Dynasties crumble. Empires fall. And the luck runs out. Welcome to baseball for the rest of us, Yankees.
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