Lost in the wonderment of the spectacular individual performances from veterans Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol and the stunning upset of the Detroit Pistons by the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening weekend of the 2008 NBA playoffs, the other prevailing characteristic was the impact of the 25-and-under stars.
It’s tough to get past Duncan’s 40 points, 15 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocks and shocking 3-pointer in the Spurs' 117-115 double-overtime victory over the Suns. And then there was Gasol’s 36 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks in the Lakers' 128-114 win over the defenseless Nuggets. Then again, we’ve seen how special the 32-year-old Duncan can be in the playoffs. Not so for Gasol, basking in the glow of his first playoff win at the age of 26 after an NBA-record 0-12 mark in the postseason for the Grizzlies, who have never won a playoff game.
But another big story of the weekend was Chris Paul’s spectacular second half to lead the inexperienced Hornets back from a 12-point deficit at halftime to roll by Dallas 104-92. Paul, just 22 years old, had 35 points, 10 assists and 4 steals – emphatically proving that all the hype about his MVP consideration is well-founded. And his 25-year-old teammate, 7-1 center Tyson Chandler, also continued to lay claim as the top offensive rebounder in the game today, with seven of his game-high 15 boards coming off the offensive glass.
It went to an entirely different level, though, when the Sixers came from 15 down to upset the second-seeded Pistons to pull out a 90-86 win in Detroit. Front and center was 24-year-old swingman Andre Iguodala sinking three of four free throws in the final 11 seconds to clinch the game. But there was also the huge jumper from 21-year-old Louis Williams in the closing minutes and the early impact of starting forward Thaddeus Young, who is the second youngest player in the NBA at 19 years old.
Again, this is just a reminder to the older stars like Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant that the youngsters are fearlessly taking a stand.
Sure, Bryant, Paul and Garnett are the top choices for the MVP balloting. But it’s ridiculous to ignore LeBron James, who had 32 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the Cavs' 93-86 win over the Wizards to commence the playoff weekend. People forget that LBJ is still only 23. And then there is Dwight Howard, the 22-year-old center of the Magic. We can’t ignore the spectacular perimeter shooting of the Magic to start the game (16-of-20 field goals – including 9-of-11 from 3-point range – to score 43 points in the first quarter). However, consider Howard’s 25 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks – completely dominating the paint. He must be fifth among the MVP ballots.
And they’re not the only young’uns to play dominant roles. Deron Williams, 23, had 20 points and 10 assists to lead the Jazz to an 11-point win over the Rockets on Saturday, and Duncan also had point guard Tony Parker pouring in 26 points and doling out 5 assists. As hard as it is to believe considering he has three championship rings, Parker is still only 25.
So is Amare Stoudemire, who had 33 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks before fouling out against the Spurs. Also putting up big numbers in defeat were Carmelo Anthony, with 30 points, and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets; and Chris Bosh with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in the Raptors loss to the Magic. Bosh is but 24, ‘Melo, 22.
And even though the Celtics trounced the Hawks by 23 Sunday and this is the Hawks first playoff appearance this century, keep in mind that Joe Johnson is only 26, Josh Childress 24 and Josh Smith 22, with Marvin Williams and Al Horford just 21.
Granted, we’re only eight games into the playoffs, but already youth is being served as we approach May. The big games have only just begun, and you never know how well anyone will react as the noose tightens each game, but before we get to the Finals in June, at least some of the veteran stars will be worn down by the youngsters … and maybe even knocked out.
Decent opening games for the NBA playoffs, I bet there are a lot of concerned fans in Detroit and San Antonio.
Good to see Philly's AI hit the free throws while Chauncey (who has won so many games at the line) missed his, it's interesting that the pressure got to the home team. This game likely extends this series to 7 games, I'd bet the Pistons can get one on the road. I still like the 76ers chances for the upset...
Concerned? Of course I am concerned. I have been concerned about the Spurs for weeks now. Not panicked by any means, but concerned.
What I feel most though, is relief. Relief that the last two games against the Suns were not indicative of how things truly stand.
Relief that the Spurs are still the Spurs; the leaders can still step up when needed, and that the ability and the heart is still there. They are beatable of course, all teams are beatable, but it is also obvious that they can still win.
I would be more concerned if they had played a great game with little room for improvement and still won so closely. But they did not, they played like #### the first quarter and as Pop said at the end of the third quarter, they needed to get better in every aspect of the game. And yet they still won. That is what great teams do, play badly against other great teams and still win.
Tell me if you think any other two teams in the playoffs are as closely matched as the Spurs and Suns. Would you have considered it an upset if the Suns had won? I wouldn't. And a large porportion of the "experts" picked the Suns to win.
It could have gone either way. It still could. Am I concerned? Of course I am. But I still have faith in the Spurs and in Pop.
The spurs are still the team to beat. you won't beat them in a close game in the playoffs. Although boring to watch. They have too much talent, experience and simply are the smartest team in the league. The suns have dont have a dependable go to guy at the end o####ame, besides Nash.
Let's not forget Andrew Bynum and the very young Los Angeles Lakers who look to be a force in the league for the next few years.
I think Portland with Brandon Roy and Greg Oden will also join this group.
Al Thornton of the Clippers is a nice young player as is Kaman....but it IS the Clippers so you do the math...
Chris Paul had a fantastic 2nd half. This was his first playoff game. Real smooth, quick and strong that. Certainly deserving of an MVP, but he might get better..
as always Kahn your so-called analysis never goes beyond the numbers. learn the real facet of the game will ya??? reading your stuff is plain agonizing......
The Spurs outside game showed up but certainly did not expect that from Duncan, who would. That was more of an emotional boost then anything. Tell tale sign of victory for the Spur is how well Barry and Finley do from the perimeter. They do well Spurs win.
Agent Zero can do it all but will not win if he tries, must let others get involved, if not Wizrads are out if he does they get past Cavs.
Great game for CP3, he's for real, and he can handle the pressure. I question Avery's coaching in the second half, I thought he handled the team poorly and should have called a timeout much sooner then wait for the TV timeout.
What composure by Philly, Detroit better put it's gameface on, I think they have, if they win by more then 10, Detroit is alright if it's close they are in trouble.
Dikembe is def not 42, his birth records are lost and that means we'll never know, aside from his word. Mutumbo is probably around 45-50 years old, which would make it even more amazing how he is able to play
PG: Chris Paul, Deron Williams
SG/SF: Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony
PF/C: Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Howard
Prepare to see these names in all star lineups for years to come. I just hope no one gets hurts a la Grant Hill. He was always a favorite of mine. A real class act.
Great upset by the 76ers. If any 8 of the teams in the west or the top 3 in the east win the Championships, I wouldn't really call it an upset. If, however, the 76ers go all the way, that would be a greater upset than the greatest of all time in the NBA when the 48-win '75 Warriors swept the powerful 60-win Bullets who had already taken out powerful Boston and were expected to sweep the Dubs. The 76ers need to watch that series and get inspired to take out the Pistons and keep moving to the ultimate upset!
It's good to see we finally got a crop of young players that the kids can look up to. All hard workers with good persona's. They should schedule an intervention with Melo! LOL
MAN THE NBA HAS BEEN DOWN FOR A LOOOONG TIME BUT ITS UP AND RUNNIG AGAIN WITH THE 25-UNDER CREW LEADING THE WAY....CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT THERE ARE POSSIBLY 3 MORE TEAMS IN THE WEST THAT COULD HAVE POSTED AT LEAST BREAK EVEN SEASONS MINUS INJURY....AND MY HORNETS ARE IN THE THICK OF IT (AS LONG AS WE KEEP SCOTT AND PAUL TOGETHER!!!!!!!
I'm just confused as the why Rajon Rondo isnt mentioned. He is standing out even with the big three shadowing him and he is the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics, who own the best record in the league.
Unbelievable! Guess what, I just found Obama have a profile on a dating site for celebrities and millionaires myrichmatch. com.
How cool is this. Will you vote for Obama?
you have no skills as a columnist lakers win it all in straight sweeps kobe best basketball player who ever lived shaq is fat denver is garbage boston is sorry trade bynum and gasol for lebron ...kobe and lebron together we will be unstopable trade lamar odom and six first round picks for cp3 can u say dynasty!!!!
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It's the inevitable changing of the guard. Did you notice how willingly Seattle allowed both Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen to get out of town during the off season? It's time for the new generation and that includes Jordan Farmar, Sasha and Luke Walton along with 12 year 'veteran old schooler' Kobe Bryant.
