It happens every year. I felt its onset again this week. Its advance is inevitable. I’m speaking, of course, of my post-NBA season depression. Perhaps I should consult Brooke Shields on how to cope.
Yes, I know we’re smack dab in the middle of the NBA playoffs. The action is (finally) starting to get good, and I should just enjoy it while it lasts. But I still feel it coming on. Nothing on television to watch until football season. Ugh!!! That’s right, I said it. Baseball’s unwatchable.
Now, back to the NBA. I was just one among many who was eagerly awaiting this year’s post-season. With the parity and talent in the league and the intense competition, particularly in the West, these playoffs promised to be among the best ever.
So far it has failed to live up to the expectations. Teams once thought to be on a par with one another have distanced themselves from the pack, often in impressive fashion, sometimes inconsistently. While the Lakers look like the team to beat, the Celtics have yet to win on the road, dropping three in Atlanta and one in Cleveland… by 24!!!
Very few games have been memorable, if even competitive. The majority have been blowouts (65% of the games so far have been decided by ten points or more!!!). After the double overtime Game One of the Phoenix-San Antonio series, I thought for certain we were in for one heck of a ride. As is turns out, that has been the only overtime game so far (until today... finally). Game Three of the Spurs-Hornets was an instant classic with Parker battling against Paul. Other than that, the playoffs have been relatively lackluster, particularly after the hype and anticipation surrounding them.
Let’s recap the inactivity to date, shall we? In the first round, the Lakers seamlessly dispatched Denver, a talented, yet defenseless team in four straight games. Few of those games were competitive, if even worth watching. The smallest margin of victory was by six points in the final Game Four. The Lakers won every other game by fourteen or more.
New Orleans dismissed Dallas, leading to the immediate firing of their head coach. Three of their four wins came by double digits. While Houston made every effort to give Utah a series, most fans knew that without Yao Ming, the Rockets would have a tough time advancing. Once again, Tracy McGrady finds himself watching the playoffs from home in mid-May. And a Suns-Spurs series that so many fans looked forward to saw the Suns set in five. Their coach now works in Madison Square Garden.
In the East, Orlando handled Toronto who made Dwight Howard look like Wilt Chamberlain. While the Wizards and 76ers both took their opponents to six games, the series favorites were never in serious jeopardy of being upset. Same with Boston. Although Atlanta took advantage of Boston’s inability to win on the road and took the Celtics to seven games (the only Game 7 we’ve had so far), Boston won that yawner by 34 points.
Similarly, the second round has been anti-climactic. Only three games in this second round have been decided by single digits. While Utah has played well at home, are Lakers fans really concerned about dropping this series? Detroit has again created mismatches against the Magic and beat them without employing the services of their starting point guard. The Celtics have more talent than Cleveland and have made LeBron look human… in Boston. The only real watchable series is San Antonio-New Orleans and even those first three games have all been decided by ten or more points. In fact, 37 of the 57 games played to date have been decided by double digits. So much for TNT knowing drama!
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be watching regardless. I got a basketball jones and I have to feed the mo nkey. But I would like to see some more competitive basketball (Note: As I write this, the Lakers have made a ten-point, fourth quarter lead disappear in the final minutes… finally!) Maybe they’re weeding out the pretenders and saving the best for last. Celtics-Lakers? Could be. As long as the Celtics don’t lost a game at home, they’ll be hoisting the O’Brien trophy. Even that doesn’t quite seem as predetermined as it was a few months ago.
Regardless, I sure could use a few more Game Sevens thrown in there to postpone the summertime and get my heart racing a little bit. I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Even though the games have been anti-climactic, it’s still better than the alternative.
I know, right? Although I think the Magic are beyond help at this point. Considering they start THREE small forwards, I find it amazing they still can't find an answer to Teyshaun Prince.
"I find it amazing they still can't find an answer to Teyshaun Prince"
Or maybe it's because Prince is really that good a player.
I've always said that Prince is one of the most underappreciated and underrated players in this league. I should know, because I played against him in high school.
Speaking of playoff excitement, I think it has started. There will be no sweeps in the second round. I love this game.
Are Laker fans really concerned? This one is. Kobe is hurt and Turiaf is suspended for a game getting a flagrant 2 and Jordan Farmar damn well better have a note if and when he decides to show. Late is late but he has a total no show going on.
Vlad has reverted to his well duh games and Pau can't get to the rim and nobody is making free throws.
(And I wrote that line about Laker fans being concerned about the series before I read your latest post.)
My point about Prince is this. I know he's a great player. He's as versatile as they come. I saw him play in Gainesville when he went to Kentucky. But still, the Magic start THREE small forwards. One of them should be able to body Prince. Kid weighs 200 lbs. Keep him away from the basket already.
I could use a few more games like that Game Four Lakers-Jazz. I agree. Things might finally be starting to heat up.
I think Kobe'll get things started. His aches and pains aren't going away any time soon. He's gonna have to play through it. The next two series promise to be even more difficult.
No worries Nique...The best home team won at home (but not without a scare)
If the Lakers had gone to the paint more often, they might have won. Odom and Gasol should have gotten more touches down the stretch. Fish was clutch, but barely got a touch in OT before fouling out.
Kobe should have worked the triangle at the end.
When he's 100%, I don't really have a problem with him taking shots like that, but knowing he was at half speed, he should have deferred after drawing the double team.
Williams should have gotten a charge at the end of regulation...instead he got two free-throws...good thing too, no free-throws = no win.
LAKERS IN GAME 5.
Last edited by BleedPRPL&GLD on May 11th at 7:14 PM.
Getting to the Lakers/Jazz today, the Lakers were lucky that DJ Mbenga and Luke Walton didn't blow it for them in the fourth, and Phil Jackson should have hammered it home to Kobe to pass if he was injured; many of his shots in the 4th and OT were terrible, and reminded me of his 'performance' in the 2004 Finals. As for Rev's point, I concur; these playoffs are boring (a bad sign for Stern). I found myself wanting to go to sleep during the Spurs/Hornets game (another blowout). It seems like no one can win on the road (home teams are 14-1 in round 2) or come back from bg deficits, and garbage time doesn't interest me. So you're right, Rev; give us some excitement, NBA!
I think we were spoiled by last year's playoffs. The early rounds were highly competitive. I do expect things to get a little more heated this round and next. Thank goodness.
Word. I was surprised Orlando couldn't even beat the Pistons at home WITHOUT Chauncey playing. Shows how big a difference playoff experience truly makes. I think this round will have a Game 7, possibly Hornets-Spurs.
Rev.
Great post and 7 games coming from both Hornets/Spurs and Jazz/Lakers. As for the East well it's such a mediocre conference both the Cavs and Magic will be done by 5 maybe 6.
Rev...I'm all for every series going to seven. After that, it's baseball. Yawn. On a bright note, Kobe should be better for game 5. One can only hope. Otherwise, we will have to deal with Lakers fans offering up excuses for why they lost. Me? My Celtics looked as good as the Lakers. UGH.
LAKERS WILL COME OUT ON TOP FA SHOW. KOBE BEEN HURT AND PLAYED THREW THAT. THEY'LL SHOOT HIM UP AND HE'LL BE FINE. GASOL NEED TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE LIKE HE WAS IN GAME ONE. BIG AS HE IS HE JUST LOOK FOR SOMEONE TO PASS IT TO INSTEAD OF DRIVING TO THE BASKET. THEY CAN'T HOLD HIM.
Reverend Rhythm I doubt that it'll come to that in any of the remaining series. I don't know whether it's fatigue that's set in because of the long arduous regular season. Or just the fact that the quality of basketball just isn't as good as we'd been expecting.
It has come as something of a disappointment for many of the most ardent of NBA fans.
You're more liable to get more excitement from seeing either the Rays or Marlins play baseball at this juncture rather than watching the NBA playoffs .
Hoit, I honestly think Billups was hurt, but I think it showed just a hint of disrespect that they essentially conceded Game Four, writing it off without Billups, then STILL won the game.
The Magic need toughness. Noone's going to ive them that respect. They're going to have to earn it.
This is why I feel the NHL Playoffs are the best playoff entertainment. It is very unusual to see many 4-0, 5-1, 6-1 games. For the most part, all are intense, competitive and down to the wire. There have been some lopsided series, but each game is 1-2 goals tight.
MLB is compelling when there are pennant races in September, like the NL East last year. Right now, too many games that don't excite the fan. I enjoy NFL Pre-Season more than MLB in August.
Reverend Rhythm
Are you inferring that the Pistons and Magic series'll go to 7 games ? They're all but done at this juncture ?
The Cavs Celtics might go that far depending on the mindset of the Celtics at this juncture. They're either running scared or they just can't seem to find their road legs. The two western conference games'll now hinge on who wants it more. I for one now can't see either going to seven. In either case I do believe that it'll be a 4-2 victory for the prevailing teams. As to who they'll be one might think that it'd be anyone's guess. But I do feel that the Spurs now have the upper hand over the Hornets. Experience is now going to count for a lot more than anything else.
Nah, doubtful. The Magic could miraculously win Game Five a la Jameer and lose a Game Six back home.
I'd say Cle-Bos could go 7 and Lakers-Utah could go 7. I think the Spurs, if they're going to win that series, would rather win the Game Five and not have to worry about going back to the Big Easy.
ReverendRhythm
From your lips to God's ears. The Magic are running on fumes and not much else. They're spent and you know it !
Howard failed to show up when needed and with him out of the picture there wasn't much that they could do. Iff they don't dictate the pace of the game then the Pistons'll steamroll them into submission.
This season is a learning process for most of the Orlando team. They'll know that they had their chances, but blew it. Detroit's experience has been the difference.
Reverend Rhythm
They may well play hard but who's to say that the Pistons won't play harder ?
They had their chances and didn't grasp 'em with both hands. That's the difference between the good teams and the great ones.
Someone like Van Gundy has got to instill that into this team or they'll be nothing more than what they are at this juncture. Just an above average regular season team and that's it ! Can't put it anymore succinctly than that.
Although i'm very dissapointed in the way the Magic's series has turned out, i do feel they very easily could be on the other end of the 3-1 series record. I recently saw the overall series stats and the Magic actually led in almost every category. Except: -0.3 points, and -2 assists. But the glaring one was the pistons 83% free throws, compared the Orlando's 66%. You combine 66% along with the absolute ridiculous officiating that has occurred at the end of the games, and really the Magic and Ref's are the ones to thank for the Pistons success. I really feel the Magic have outplayed the Pistons. However its being depicted as though the Pistons are having their way with them. Basically all i'm saying is the Magic are beating themselves, and the Pistons are getting way too many bad calls in their favor..Sadly this changes nothing in regards to the outcome, i only pray the Magic can exact some 3-1 comeback revenge on the Pistons..
.. One more thing! If i see one more flop from "Rip" Hamilton after being grazed by a Magic player, and ACTUALLY getting the call, i will lose my mind!
Reverend Rhythm
I for one thought from the start thought the Magic were never going to be tough enough for the rigors of the postseason. They're mentally soft and other than Dwight they tend to be physically soft. And now Dwight is proving that the maturity factor and level hasnt yet reached fruition. It's been borne out by their inconsistent play in this series. You know it , I know it and I'm sure as hell that GM Otis Smith knows it.
So what else is there to explain at this juncture ?
rampant' aka tophatal ..........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 14th at 9:31 AM.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season.
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
