[Video via Docksquad Sports]

Team USA overcame a sluggish first half to defeat China 101-70 in Beijing.  The United States struggled from outside, but were able to capitalize on their superior athleticism and pressure defense in the second half.

Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line.  LeBron James scored 18 points on 8-of-12 from the field, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and tallied 3 blocks.  Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant paced the US with 13 points a piece.

Team USA shot 38-of-70 from the field, but connected on only 7 of their 24 three-point attempts.  Bryant was 1-of-7 from behind the arc and took at least three ill-advised three-point shots.

Defensively, Team USA was solid, but not spectacular.  The United States had trouble defending the 3-point line early, as China opened the contest 5-of-7 from the three-point line.  Team USA’s defensive intensity was good, but their rotations were slow at times.  Wade overplayed the passing lanes twice and gave up three 3-point baskets by failing to stick with his defensive assignment.

The United States was shaky offensively, but their ball movement improved when Coach K went with his two point guard lineup featuring Chris Paul at the point guard position and Deron Williams at shooting guard.  Williams applied great ball pressure and Paul had 6 assists in the contest.

There is plenty of reason for optimism after a 31-point victory.

But I’m still concerned about a few things:

• Outside shooting.  Team USA is 10-of-42 from the 3-point line over their last two games.  The reason is simple:  Michael Redd is the United States’ only catch-and-shoot threat.  The international 3-point line is 20 feet, 6 inches, that’s roughly three feet shorter than the NBA 3-point line.  Dwyane Wade and LeBron James haven’t fine-tuned their mid-range games.  Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony have perfected their mid-range jumpers, but both players do their damage off the dribble or fading away instead of squaring up and measuring themselves from that distance.  The United States can get away with shooting poorly from outside against the likes of Australia and China because they can make up the difference with easy baskets off of turnovers.  But Spain, Greece, and Argentina will take care of the basketball.  Spain, Greece, and Argentina will also pack the paint and force the United States to connect from outside.  Kobe Bryant has to take better shots and shoot a better percentage from beyond the arc.

• Carmelo Anthony has failed to get on track.  Anthony was 0-for-3 from the field against China.  To be fair, Anthony was whistled for several bogus fouls.  Carmelo was also yanked at one point in favor of Kobe Bryant after he appeared to give an official an earful after being assessed a foul.  Dwyane Wade has done a fantastic job of picking up the slack by scoring in transition and creating turnovers.  But the United States is going to need Anthony’s mid-range, half-court game before the Olympics have concluded.

• Offensive continuity.  Team USA failed to run any semblance of an offense to begin the contest.  The United States started the second half with two straight pick-and-roll possessions for Kidd and James that yielded a dunk for Bryant and a trip to the line for Anthony.  Kidd and James are Team USA’s best playmakers.  I’d like to see more pick-and-roll opportunities for both players.

• Deron Williams needs more minutes.  Williams has been Team USA’s best point guard thus far.  He’s done an excellent job of pushing the ball in transition and he’s been the best defender out of the United States’ point guard triumvirate.  Paul had 6 assists against China, and Kidd was effective in pushing the pace, but Williams has the best skill set for international play.  At some point, Coach K is going to have choose a backup point guard to make more minutes for Michael Redd, he should choose Williams over Chris Paul.

Much has been made of Carmelo Anthony being the “best player in international basketball.”  But LeBron James was the star today and may end up the MVP of Team USA.  At 6-9, 260 pounds, James can play all five positions in international play.  NBA basketball is about isolation and specialization.  The international game is about versatility.  And with his combination of size, speed, and court awareness, LeBron is a perfect match.

James had the play of the game — on both ends.  Offensively, James caught an alley-oop pass from Wade and slammed the ball home while drawing the foul.  Defensively, he had an awe-inspiring block where he skied to grab a shot attempt with two hands before it hit the backboard.

LeBron has also established himself as the vocal leader of Team USA.

All in all, it was an impressive performance for the United States.  But it’s important to consider the quality of their opponent.  The competition will improve over the next two weeks.  If the ‘Redeem Team’ is to win the gold medal, they will have to play much better than they did today.

(Photo by REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

BallerBlogger.com

Steve Nash & Baron Davis

I've watched thousands of basketball games.  And I'll watch thousands more.  Some of the games I've watched have been more memorable than others.  I'll never forget Team USA's 92-73 loss to Puerto Rico four years ago.  Puerto Rico packed the paint against the United States in that contest and dared Team USA to fire away from outside.  The United States responded by shooting 3-of-24 from 3-point line.  I'm not prone to emotional outbursts while watching basketball, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I was screaming at the television during that game.  I remember Puerto Rican guard Carlos Arroyo 'popping' his jersey at Team USA -- his team up 20.  I'm still frustrated and disappointed about that loss.

Frustrated because the team we sent to Athens wasn't comprised of the best our country had to offer.  Disappointed because Larry Brown made himself larger than the team he was hand picked to coach.  Team USA couldn't hit from long-distance because their best shooter was sitting on the bench.  Through six prior exhibition games, Carmelo Anthony was the 2004 team's third leading scorer (behind Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson).  But when Olympic play began, Brown chose to play Richard Jefferson (who had two of his shot attempts hit the side of the backboard against Puerto Rico) and Shawn Marion at small forward.  Brown started Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury in the backcourt.  Iverson and Marbury were incapable of creating for their teammates -- while LeBron James -- Team USA's best playmaker, rode the pine next to Carmelo.

Granted, James and Anthony were wet behind the ears rookies in 2004.  Even still, they were twice the players that Richard Jefferson, Shawn Marion, Allen Iverson, and Stephon Marbury were.  Why did Brown ignore the obvious and play lesser players?  Brown shortened his bench because of his well-publicized disdain for young players.  And he didn't stop there, he also took every opportunity to berate his players in the media and criticize the player selection committee.

Mark Kriegel of Foxsports.com wrote an article recently that questioned the importance of winning gold in this summer's Olympics.  Kriegel asked Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony if winning the gold medal would mean more than an NBA championship.  All of the players agreed that they'd choose a gold medal over an NBA championship.  Kriegel didn't "buy it."

Kriegel even admitted to taking "perverse satisfaction in the declining fortunes of Team USA."  He's not alone.  Anti-American basketball sentiment has permeated message boards and NBA related blogs and articles for quite some time.  I know there are a few bad apples in today's game that feed the arrogant, selfish, stereotype of American born basketball players.   The 2000 and 2004 Olympic teams did little to disprove that perception.  The 2004 team in particular displayed terrible body language, attitude, and sportsmanship.

That's why the 2008 games are so important.  Basketball may be the world's game, but it's important that the United States prove that we play it better than anybody.  And that we play it the right way.  With humility and respect for our opponents.  In Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, Team USA sports the two greatest players in the world.  In Coach Krzyzewski, we have one of the finest coaches in all of basketball.  There's no excuses this time around.

I've never played in the NBA or the Olympics and I never will.  But I'm as big a fan of the game of basketball as anyone.  I've watched my favorite NBA team win championships, lose in the Finals, miss the playoffs, rebuild, and return to the Finals only to lose again.  I've dealt with the highs and lows that have accompanied each of those moments.  But if given the opportunity, I'd trade every NBA championship of the past and every NBA championship of the future for a gold medal in Beijing.

BallerBlogger.com

Shortly after receiving a verbal committment from Baron Davis, the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly offered Elton Brand a five-year, $70 million dollar contract extension.

Instead of agreeing to the extension on the spot, Brand is contemplating an offer from the Golden State Warriors that is rumored to be $90 million over five-years.

According to Basketball-reference.com, Brand has made $81,543,136 over his nine-year career.  At that point, what difference does an extra $20 million dollars make?  How many homes and luxury vehicles does one person need?

Maybe Elton is having second thoughts about the Clippers roster.  That’s understandable.  When healthy, Davis is one of the NBA’s top five point guards.  But is he any better than the point guard-shooting foward combination of Sam Cassell and Corey Maggette?  Doubtful.  Maggette and Cassell were the Clippers 2nd and 3rd leading scorers on a team that came within one game of advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2006.

The addition of Davis all but sealed Maggette’s fate.  He won’t be returning to La La Land.

That leaves the Clippers with a starting lineup that will feature Davis, Cuttino Mobley, Al Thornton, Brand, and Chris Kaman.  With Tim Thomas coming off the bench.  LA will be good enough to compete for a playoff birth in the Western Conference.  But they’re still far from championship contention.

There are plenty of All-Star point guard-power forward duos in the NBA.  Deron Williams-Carlos Boozer, Chauncey Billups-Rasheed Wallace, Chris Paul-David West, Steve Nash-Amare Stoudemire.  All of those teams are searching for that third piece.  The Davis-Brand Clippers will be no different.

Triumvirates win NBA championships.  Garnett-Pierce-Allen, Duncan-Ginobili-Parker, Jordan-Pippen-Rodman, Magic-Kareem-Worthy. There have been a few exceptions to that rule over the years.  Shaq-Kobe, Olajuwon-Drexler, and the celebrated team work of Isiah Thomas and Chauncey Billups’ Pistons come to mind.  Although I don’t think anyone would mistake Brand-Davis or the Clippers for those players or teams.

Still, Los Angeles — with Brand and Davis — would be 2/3 of the way there.

Don Nelson’s system puts butts in the seats.  But it won’t win an NBA championship.  It's not a system that plays to Brand's strengths either.

Either way, Brand’s career will end with him having made upwards of $150 million dollars to play a game he used to play for free.

When it’s all said and done, how much of that would he have traded for a chance to win a championship?

We’re about to find out.

BallerBlogger.com

Via TMZ:

Shaquille O'Neal took the mic at a NYC club last night, unleashing a freestyle verbal assault directed at his arch-enemy Kobe Bryant -- blaming his former teammate for ruining his marriage and imploring him to "Tell me how my #### tastes." [Read]

Via AOL Fanhouse:

This video contains foul language.

As a Lakers fan, I can't wait until LA plays Phoenix next year.

I'm also happy that Shaquille O'Neal is finally being exposed as the classless individual he is.  It's no coincidence that he's left every team he's played for on bad terms.  O'Neal even took the opportunity to trash Pat Riley and his former Miami Heat  teammates when he landed in Phoenix.

Upon being traded, Shaq all but promised another ring for the Suns.  He hasn't retired yet but was ousted in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.  The very same team the Lakers dispatched of in 5 games in the Western Conference Finals.

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The Boston Celtics are the 2008 NBA champions. Congratulations to the Celtics and their fans.

I didn't pick the Celtics to win the NBA championship. I picked the Lakers over the Celtics in 6 games. But I did pick Boston to advance out of the Eastern Conference before the season began. I broke down the teams I considered to be championship contenders two months ago yesterday.

My concerns with the Lakers (inside scoring, defense) came to the forefront versus the Celtics. Pau Gasol wilted under the pressure and Paul Pierce TORCHED Radmonovich and Walton. When Pierce and Allen penetrated the defense, there was no one to protect the basket.

My only concern with the Celtics was their coaching staff. I wasn't convinced that Doc Rivers was capable of making the in-game adjustments that would be necessary to win the NBA championship.

I was wrong.

Doc Rivers was more than capable. Not only did he make perfect adjustments but he outcoached Phil Jackson -- a championship strategist with 9 rings. Rivers was inspirational. He implored his team to "never stop believing" and to "never give up." The Celtics were an extension of him. They followed his lead in fighting back from a 24-point deficit in Game 4. Looking back, the Celtics won the NBA championship that night.

In total, I missed four picks in the 2008 NBA playoffs. I picked the Wizards to beat the Cavaliers, the Mavericks to beat the Hornets, the Magic to beat the Pistons, and the Lakers to beat the Celtics.

But the only pick I regret making was the Mavs over the Hornets. Honestly, I hadn't watched the Hornets as much during the regular season as I probably should have. New Orleans was a great team and would have matched up well against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tyson Chandler and David West would have been a nightmare matchup for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Especially considering Gasol and Odom's struggles versus Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett.

The Cleveland Cavaliers struggled towards the end of the season before being awoken by the mindless trash-talk of DeShawn Stevenson and Gilbert Arenas. Arenas' injury didn't help the Wizards cause either.

Match-ups (the Pistons and Cavaliers were better defensively than the Lakes) played a part in Boston's early round struggles. But the Celtics simply weren't as good in the opening rounds as the team that won 66 regular season games. To their credit, they got stronger as the playoffs progressed -- and they learned to win on the road in the process.

The Celtics won the first two rounds with only 2/3 of their 'Big 3'. Ray Allen struggled mightily versus the Hawks, Cavs, and through the first five games versus the Pistons but increased his shooting percentage in each round. Allen shot 50% from the field and 52% from the 3-point line versus LA.

Ray was every bit as deserving of MVP as Paul Pierce.

All in all, it was a fitting ending to a season for the ages. With no games scheduled for tonight, I'm already getting the basketball withdrawals. Thankfully, the Olympics are right around the corner!

First round: 6-2

• Picks

Second round: 3-1

• Spurs vs. Hornets
• Magic vs. Pistons
• Lakers vs. Jazz
• Boston vs. Cleveland

Conference Finals: 2-0

• Celtics vs. Pistons
• Lakers vs. Spurs

NBA Finals: 0-1

• Lakers vs. Celtics
  

Prognostication results: 11-4

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President Bush was 0-for-4 from the field and had 3 assists in just under a minute of action.

This blog and my Barack Obama blog yesterday were intended to be humorous in nature.

(Hat tip: My good friend 100%InjuryRate of FanIQ)

Read (in this case view) more of my NBA blogs at BallerBlogger.com

Jimmy Kimmel talked politics and hoops with Presidential candidate Barack Obama yesterday.

If Obama is elected, he plans on replacing the White House's bowling alley with a basketball court.

Barack thinks "Kobe Bryant is the best player in the world." And he "didn't anticipate Boston manhandling the Lakers the way they have so far."

Neither did I Mr. Obama.

Neither did I.

(Hat tip: Ball Don't Lie)

Read more of my NBA blogs at BallerBlogger.com

In 1996, the NBA celebrated it’s 50th anniversary by unveiling the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Eighteen of those 50 — were players from two franchises — the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

That’s 36%.

Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Nate Archibald, Sam Jones, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson.

During the 2008 NBA Finals, I’ll profile (nba.com, youtube, basketball-reference.com) one of those Lakers-Celtics legends daily.

I profiled Robert Parish on Saturday.

Today, we’ll take a look at Shaquille O’Neal.

Career Statistics

25.2 PPG, 2.7 APG, 11.5 RPG, 58 FG%, 52 FT%

"One of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players and one of the most prolific scorers in league history. He owns a career scoring average of 25.6 points, the ninth-highest in league history, and ranks 11th all-time in scoring (25,908) in 1,013 career games. The 16-year veteran is a career 58-percent shooter, third-highest in NBA history, and has led the league in field goal accuracy nine times, matching Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record. O’Neal has averaged 11.5 rebounds (21st-NBA history) and grabbed 11,630 (21st) boards as a member of the Orlando Magic (1992-97), Los Angeles Lakers (1997-2004) and Miami Heat (2005-2008). The three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team honoree (2000, 2001, 2003) ranks 8th all-time in blocks (2,485).

Won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002) and one with the Miami Heat (2006). A three-time NBA Finals MVP (2000, 2001, 2002). Shaq has pulled down the third-most rebounds in NBA playoff history (2,401) and blocked the third-most shots (433). " [Read]

Read more of my NBA blogs at BallerBlogger.com

In 1996, the NBA celebrated it’s 50th anniversary by unveiling the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Eighteen of those 50 — were players from two franchises — the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

That’s 36%.

Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Nate Archibald, Sam Jones, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson.

During the 2008 NBA Finals, I’ll profile (nba.com, youtube, basketball-reference.com) one of those Lakers-Celtics legends daily.

I profiled Wilt Chamberlain yesterday.

Today, we’ll take a look at Robert Parish.

Career Statistics

14.5 PPG, 1.4 APG, 9.1 RPG, 54 FG%, 72 FT%

"Robert Parish played in more games than any other player in NBA history. A 7-1 center who combined strength, agility and remarkable endurance, Parish won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s and teamed with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale to form one of the greatest front lines in NBA history. He capped his career by winning yet another championship ring as a member of the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls.

Parish, whose signature shot was a high trajectory jumper that seemed to kiss the banners at Boston Garden before finding its way to the basket, announced his retirement at age 43 following the 1996-97 season, his 21st in the NBA, and after playing in 1,611 games. Upon his retirement, Parish ranked 13th in the NBA in scoring with 23,334 points, sixth in rebounds with 14,715, sixth in blocked shots with 2,361 and eighth in field goals made with 9,614.

"He's probably the best medium-range shooting big man in the history of the game," said Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who was Parish's backup in the Celtics' 1986 championship season.

The Warriors traded Parish to Boston in 1980, and he enjoyed a remarkable 14-year run with the Celtics. In his tenure with the club, the Celtics went to the playoffs 13 times, won nine Atlantic Division titles, reached the NBA Finals five times and came away with three NBA titles." [Read]

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

Read more of my NBA blogs at BallerBlogger.com

In 1996, the NBA celebrated it’s 50th anniversary by unveiling the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Eighteen of those 50 — were players from two franchises — the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

That’s 36%.

Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Nate Archibald, Sam Jones, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson.

During the 2008 NBA Finals, I’ll profile (nba.com, youtube, basketball-reference.com) one of those Lakers-Celtics legends daily.

I profiled Larry Bird yesterday.

Today, we’ll take a look at Wilt Chamberlain.

Wilt Chamberlain

Career Statistics

30.1 PPG,  4.4 APG, 22.9 RPG, 54 FG%, 51 FT%

“He was basketball’s unstoppable force, the most awesome offensive force the game has ever seen. Asked to name the greatest players ever to play basketball, most fans and aficionados would put Wilt Chamberlain at or near the top of the list.

Dominating the game as few players in any sport ever have, Chamberlain seemed capable of scoring and rebounding at will, despite the double- and triple-teams and constant fouling tactics that opposing teams used to try to shut him down.

As Oscar Robertson put it in the Philadelphia Daily News when asked whether Chamberlain was the best ever, “The books don’t lie.”

The record books are indeed heavy with Chamberlain’s accomplishments. He was the only NBA player to score 4,000 points in a season. He set NBA single-game records for most points (100), most consecutive field goals (18) and most rebounds (55). Perhaps his most mind-boggling stat was the 50.4 points per game he averaged during the 1961-62 season–and if not that, then perhaps the 48.5 minutes per game he averaged that same year.

He retired as the all-time in career points with 31,419, which was later surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan. He is tops in rebounds with 23,924. He led the NBA in scoring seven years in a row. He was the league’s top rebounder in 11 of his 14 seasons. And as if to prove that he was not a selfish player, he had the NBA’s highest assist total in 1967-68.” [Read]

(Photo by #### Raphael/NBAE/Getty Images)

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In a four-page letter released Tuesday, Tim Donaghy, said that two officials conspired to fix the outcome of a 2002 playoff series and influenced several other post- and regular-season games.

Court documents filed by Donaghy's lawyer detailed the "inner-workings" of a plot in which top league executives used referees to manipulate the games. Donaghy claims two referees were "company men" whose job was to extend a playoff series in 2002 to a seventh game.

The playoff series in question is the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.

"Personal fouls (resulting in obviously injured players) were ignored even when they occurred in full view of the referees," the document says of the unnamed series. "Conversely, the referees called made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities to Team 6."

Two players from Team 5 fouled out in the game, the document said, and the "referees' favoring of Team 6 led to that team's victory that night." Team 6 also went on to win Game 7 of the series, according to the document.

My advice: Don’t take Tim Donaghy’s statement as truth.

Read the recaps. Study the boxscores. Watch the game again. Look at the series as a whole.

Come to your own conclusion.

For instance, everyone knows that the Lakers owned a 40-25 free throw advantage in Game 6 -- including a staggering 27 attempts in the 4th quarter.

But did you know that “Six of the 27 free throws the Lakers shot were intentional fouls to extend the game, and 10 were less-valuable Shaq attempts?" – Professional NBA gambler Haralabos Voulgaris as reported to Henry Abbott of True Hoop

“Take those out, and an 11-9 disparity doesn't seem as egregious.” - Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don’t Lie

O’Neal shot the bulk of those free throws and finished the game 13-of-17 (77%) from the free throw line.

If the game was fixed, how anyone could put faith in O’Neal to shoot 13-of-17 from the line and win the game at the charity stripe is beyond me.

Especially since he shot just 58% during the regular season and had hit only two free throws heading into the 4th quarter of Game 6.

After fouling out in Game 6, Divac said, "I knew before the game I'd be out of it. (O'Neal) went out (on fouls) up there (in Sacramento). It had to be the same down here."

Divac’s explanation is the most logical explanation for Game 6 and for countless other conspiracy theories.

It’s a matter of make-up calls and homecourt advantage.

There were numerous blown calls in Game 5. The Kings received a 33-23 free throw advantage on the Lakers homecourt. The Lakers were called for 7 more personal fouls. Shaq fouled out with 6 minutes remaining.

Officials are human. They make mistakes. It’s impossible to call a perfect game. If all the fouls that should be called –- were called –- the game would come to a standstill nearly every time down the floor.

The best we can hope for is consistency.

But there are bound to be calls where one team gets the benefit of the doubt. In those situations, the home team receives that benefit –- and rightfully so.

If team ‘a’ receives the benefit from the officiating in one game, you can bet that team ‘b’ will receive the benefit of the doubt in the next game.

Tim Donaghy didn’t officiate the Kings-Lakers Game 6. If he had officiated it, his accusations could be substantiated.

Without having been there, I find it hard to believe Donaghy has actual evidence to back up these claims.

Instead, I think this is a sad-sacked effort to drag the NBA through the mud with the hopes of receiving a reduced sentence.

Donaghy is admitting his guilt while trying to insinuate that he's a product of a disgraced system.

Foxsports has a poll up asking fans:

"Do you believe the 2002 NBA Western Conference finals were fixed?"

One-hundred forty-six thousand, five-hundred and sixty-four people have voted thus far.

Seventy-nine percent responded yes.

Twenty-one percent responded no.

The court of public opinion has spoken.

The damage has already been done.

Read more of my NBA blogs at BallerBlogger.com

In 1996, the NBA celebrated it’s 50th anniversary by unveiling the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Eighteen of those 50 — were players from two franchises — the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

That’s 36%.

Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Nate Archibald, Sam Jones, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson.

During the 2008 NBA Finals, I’ll profile (nba.com, youtube, basketball-reference.com) one of those Lakers-Celtics legends daily.

I profiled James Worthy yesterday.

Today, we’ll take a look at Larry Bird.

Larry Bird

Career Statistics

24.3 PPG, 6.3 APG, 10.0 RPG, 50 FG%, 38 3PFG%, 89 FT%

"Once every generation or so, a player comes along who can truly be called a superstar. Larry Bird was such a player.

For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play–as a scorer, a passer, a rebounder, a defender, a team player, and, perhaps above all, as a clutch performer. Bird was so self-confident that he was known to waltz up to the opponents’ bench before tipoff and predict a 40-point performance for himself. He was such a deadly shooter that he sometimes practiced three-pointers with his eyes closed. Among Bird’s contemporaries, perhaps only, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was considered a better passer, a player who he would inextricably be linked with forever. Few played tougher than Bird, who would leap into crowds and over press tables for loose balls.

Bird was the embodiment of “Celtics Pride.” He was a classy, confident, hardworking player who thrived on pressure and inspired teammates to excel. Like Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Dave Cowens, the low-key Bird force the spotlight upon himself, but rather one who brought out the best in the players around him. But even those legendary players didn’t fill Boston Garden, wowing fans and dominating games as Bird did.

Bird helped rebuild a Celtics franchise that had been suffering from substandard play and poor attendance in the late 1970s. With Bird as the focal point of a well-rounded squad, the Celtics won three NBA titles and 10 Atlantic Division crowns. In addition to his three championship rings, Bird piled up an awesome collection of personal achievements. He became only the third player (and the first non-center) to win three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player Awards. He was a 12-time All-Star, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and a nine-time member of the All-NBA First Team. He led the league in free-throw percentage four times."  [Read]

Read more of my NBA blogs at BallerBlogger.com

The Boston Celtics took a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers last night by holding off the Lakers late and escaping with a 108-102 victory at home.

The storyline after game 1 was the Celtics advantage on the glass (46-33).

The storyline after game 2 is the Celtics advantage at the free throw line.

Boston shot 38 free throws in game 2. LA shot 10.

Credit Boston’s offense for attacking the basket and drawing fouls but game 2 was a horribly officiated ballgame.

The Lakers were robbed of at least 10 free throw opportunities. The most notable being a lob to Gasol in the 2nd quarter where he caught the ball in mid-air, finished, and was raked across the forearm and sent to the floor. No whistle.

With the Lakers leading 19-18 in the first quarter, Kobe Bryant was whistled for two questionable fouls within a minute and four seconds of one another. The first call took place under the Celtics basket when Bryant and Allen were jockeying for position on the baseline, the second came with Bryant sealing Allen on a post-up opportunity on the elbow. Neither call was warranted.

With Bryant forced to the bench due to foul trouble, the Celtics went on a 12-3 run before Phil Jackson was forced to burn a timeout to get Kobe back in the game at the 9:40 mark of the second quarter.

Once again, Paul Pierce led the way for the Celtics. Pierce scored 28 points on 9-for-16 from the field and 4-of-4 from the 3-point line. Vladimir Radmanovic, Luke Walton, and Trevor Ariza (7 minutes) have been completely ineffective defending Pierce in this series. They’ve fallen for nearly every pumpfake he’s thrown at them and that’s allowed Pierce to get into the paint, draw fouls, and create for others.

Time after time, Rajon Rondo penetrated the Lakers defense and got open looks and easy buckets for his teammates. Rondo finished with 16 assists. Four short of the Lakers total as a team.

Leon Powe came off the bench and provided instant offense for Boston. Powe was 6-of-7 from the field and 9-of-13 from the free throw line, scoring 21 points. Powe shot more free throws than the entire Lakers team and scored nearly as many points as the entire Lakers bench.

After shooting just 42% from the field in game 1, the Lakers shot 49% from the field in game 2.

Bryant scored 30 points on 11-of-23 from the field (48%) but attempted only 4 shots inside the paint.

The Lakers posted Kobe up on multiple possessions but it came at the expense of their offensive continuity. Once again, there was little ball movement. Pau Gasol shot 67% from the field but received only 12 shot attempts. Lamar Odom scored 10 points but was ineffective.

Odom lives off the strong to weakside passes that put the defense out of position and allow him to catch the ball at the free throw line extended. Those passes have been few and far between in this series.

The lone brightspot offensively for the Lakers has been the Bryant-Gasol pick-and-roll.

But the Lakers haven’t run that play enough.

Of even larger concern to the Lakers is their defense.

They’ve been unable to keep Pierce, Allen, and Rondo out of the paint. They’ve given up too many back-breaking 3-pointers in transition. And they’ve failed to match the physicality of the Celtics.

If LA is to have a chance of evening this series on their homecourt and forcing an elimination game in Boston, several adjustments are in order.

1. Place Kobe on Pierce

Pierce is averaging 25 points a game on 63% from the field and 88% from the 3-point line. The only Laker who has slowed Pierce down for stretches has been Bryant. Foul trouble is a concern but Coach Jackson has to trust Kobe to play smart and not fall for the shots fakes and jab steps that Pierce utilizes.

The Lakers have received next to nothing from their shooting forwards so the most logical solution is to play Bryant at shooting foward and insert Vujacic at shooting guard.

Shooting forward Trevor Ariza is a reliable defender but he’s still working himself back from injury and received only 7 minutes of playing time in game 2. It’s hard to believe Trevor couldn’t produce more than Luke Walton has. Walton is averaging 1 point and shooting 25% through the first two games of the NBA Finals.

2. Stop dribble penetration

Second year point guard Rajon Rondo is outplaying veteran point guard Derek Fisher. Fisher is shooting just 41% from the field and 29% from the 3-point line. He has been incapable of keeping Rondo in front of him defensively. Reserve Jordan Farmar has been effective defending Rajon but is averaging only 13 minutes a game while shooting 57% from the field and 75% from the 3-point line.

Despite a sprained knee, Pierce has routinely driven past Radmonovic and Walton as if they were running in sand.

3. Get back in transition

The Celtics have hit several game changing 3-pointers in transition where the Lakers failed to locate their defensive assignments on the run.

4. Check out

Although the Lakers rebounded well in game 2, they still allowed the Celtics 10 offensive rebounds. Second chance points after a solid defensive possession take the wind out of a defense’s sails. The Celtics are getting second chance opportunities because the Lakers — 1 through 5 — are failing to put a body on their man after the shot goes up.

5. Continue to trust in their bench

The Lakers have received significant contributions from their bench during the playoffs. But they’re still a relatively inexperienced bunch. Inexperienced players rarely contribute on the road, much less in the NBA Finals. The familiar surroundings of the Staples Center should help them get back on track.

6. Reverse the basketball

It's Kobe's responsibility to move the ball and create for his teammates against the NBA's best defense. Bryant is a great mid-range jumpshooter and connected on a good percentage last night but the Lakers have to make the Celtics work for full 24 second possessions rather than settle for one pass and a contested jumper nearly every time down the floor.

For the Celtics to steal a game in LA or close the series out on the Lakers homecourt, they’ll need to carry their defensive intensity and offensive execution to the West Coast but with the knowledge that they won’t enjoy the homecourt officiating they received in game 2.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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