Defense: Going into these Olympic games, there were a few basic concerns for Team USA on the defensive end. How would an undersized US team defend the post with only one and a half centers (Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh) and how would they effectively defend the perimeter against hot shooting European or Latin American teams? In the gold medal game against Spain, Team USA’s defense was horrific. While this team had gotten progressively better defensively throughout the Olympics, Team USA allowed Spain to shoot over 60% from the floor in the first half. Marc Gasol was having his way on the inside. Spain repeatedly ran alley-oop, pick and rolls which the U.S. was unable to stop. Juan Carlos Navarro scored at will with running jump shots, breaking down whoever was covering him. And future NBAer Rudy Fernandez, 7-13 from the floor, looked like he could have started for the Americans. In the final game, rather than rely on their defense, which to date had been their staple, Team USA counted on their offense to bail them out.
Kobe Bryant: Kobe Bryant, arguably the greatest player in the league, was saddled with foul trouble, picking up two fouls in the first quarter against Spain. In the second half with the game on the line, Kobe, rather than driving the lane, more often than not relied on his perimeter jump shot. While Kobe’s box score might not necessarily reflect a poorly played game, there were several times late in the game when Kobe settled for ill-advised jump shots. Long ones. While he ultimately proved to be the hero by hitting key baskets late, those could easily have gone the other way.
Size/Rebounding: Late in the game, Coach K opted to play Chris Bosh over a relatively ineffective Dwight Howard. Late in the second half, Marc Gasol shoved the considerably lighter Bosh to the ground like a rag doll without a foul being called. Team Spain easily out-rebounded the Americans 37-31 and was much more effective on the interior. Going in to the games, the U.S. knew size would be a problem. Dwight Howard, who looked like the second coming of Patrick Ewing in this year’s playoffs, was held scoreless in the first half against Spain.
Jump Shooting: As noted earlier, Kobe Bryant often took some ill-advised jump shots. LeBron James did as well. Despite a shorter three-point line, Team USA was relatively ineffective from the perimeter in the Olympic Games. When the US drove to the basket, a la Dwyane Wade in the gold medal game, then kicked it out, they shot a much higher percentage. Team USA had 28 three-point attempts in the final game. Had they made any fewer than 13 of those, Spain would have been breathing down their necks more than they already were. The three-pointers were much more effective off dribble penetration, not off isolation play.
Isolation: Team USA relied upon their athleticism to best their opponent. While the Spaniards ran a more motion-oriented offense, setting pick and rolls, resulting in easy baskets, the Americans would go possession after possession after possession without even setting a screen. Their final game was in many ways emblematic of what’s wrong with the NBA. Too many isolation, take-your-man-off-the-dribble plays, too little passing and too few pick and rolls. The Americans’ one-on-one game nearly cost them the gold.
Spain: Team Spain was good. Very good. And although Bill Walton pointed out that of the seven NBA players on Team Spain, not one would not have made the US roster, Team Spain was still loaded with talent. They played as good as could be expected, almost good enough to beat Team USA. Rudy Fernandez will add a nice element to an up-and-coming Portland Trailblazer team and 17-year old Ricky Rubio will eventually be an welcome addition to whatever NBA team drafts him when he becomes eligible. Team Spain’s coaching staff had a great game plan against the Americans. With Jose Calderon out due to injury, their backups repeatedly broke down Team USA’s perimeter defense. They narrowed the American lead to only two points in the fourth quarter.
Why Team USA won…..
Dwyane Wade: One blogger (mistakenly) listed Wade as one of the top five most overrated players in the league. This is the same Dwyane Wade who only years ago won Finals MVP in leading the Miami Heat to a title. Coming off the bench, Wade kept Team USA in the lead when Bryant and James were on the bench in foul trouble. Wade drove the lane allowing that to set up his perimeter game. He is arguably the third best player on this team. While Bryant received much of the glory with his late-game performance, it was Wade who led the team in scoring with twenty-seven points. When it mattered most, Wade kept the Americans in the game, scoring on his first seven attempts. Saddled with injuries for much of the 2007-8 season, Wade proved he’s back to form and one of the toughest covers in the league. Miami will gladly welcome him back this year as he proved he’s one of the best players in the game.
Coaching: While Coach K and staff may not have been overly effective in encouraging his players to run the pick-and-roll, they did preach team unity. Coach K openly ranked the honor of coaching USA basketball over his three national titles with Duke. As Wade pointed out, the coaching staff reminded them that the name on the back of the jersey was not as important as the three letters on the front. He convinced Team USA to put their egos aside, not an easy thing to do among NBA athletes. His rotations and substitutions were consistently appropriate. While Chuck Daly led the original Dream Team to a gold medal without ever calling a timeout, in 2008, international talent has clearly caught up to the modern American game. Coach K was unquestionably the right man for the job.
Unity: Seeing Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo, Wade and Dwight Howard giggle gleefully after the victory told fans everything they needed to know about the makeup of this team. They put aside NBA team rivalries, understanding that they were on the court as one nation, eager to prove that the NBA’s brand of basketball was the best on the planet. Seeing them all step up to the gold medal podium, arms intertwined, is a credit to both them and the coaching staff. They kept their eyes on the prize and represented their country with class, pride and dignity.
Composure: Team USA knew Spain (and Argentina) would stoop at nothing to get inside their heads. Spain was extremely physical. Marc Gasol was a terror on the interior. The game got chirpy to say the least. While Spain did their best to disrupt the American’s game plan, Team USA maintained their composure and it paid off in gold.
Depth: In what world would Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams come off the bench? Not even on the interplanetary team would Chris Paul not start at point guard. While international teams went to their bench to inferior talent, Team USA simply reloaded. It showed when Wade came in and scored at will while James and Bryant were forced to sit against Spain. When Carlos Boozer and Michael Redd get limited minutes, rest assured that was a deep team.
Kobe Bryant: While Kobe may have settled for ill-advised jump shots late in the game, he ultimately showed why he is the fiercest competitor in the NBA. Kobe’s late game heroics were largely responsible for US gold. Throughout the games, Kobe defended the opposing teams most skilled guard. His four-point play against Spain simultaneously fouled out Rudy Fernandez while sealing the gold medal. He scored 20 points and added six assists in the final game.
Determination: Dubbed the ‘Redeem Team,’ these twelve Americans were not going to be denied. They wanted to put USA basketball back on the map as the best in the world. After a loss to Spain, the NBA would have lost a great bit of luster. Team USA would not let that happen. So Kudos to all those who committed to USA Basketball for the past several years for reminding all us basketball jones that we proudly boast the best players on the planet.
When the original Dream Team tore through the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, it was like the Beatles reunited. With the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Clyde Drexler suiting up, the team touted so much star power that opposing teams didn’t mind getting drubbed by over forty points a game. Although a gold medal for Team USA was a forgone conclusion before the games even began, the team was still a joy to watch. It was arguably the greatest sports team ever assembled.
It became clear to marketing wizard David Stern that the NBA could significantly expand its fan base, and revenue, by actively promoting itself overseas. As fans worldwide became more enamored with the game, the NBA soon found out that young Americans were not the only ones who wanted to ‘be like Mike.'
At that point, international competition paled in comparison to the American version. In the 1980s and early 1990s, foreign players in the NBA were few and far between. There was Detlef Schrempf, Drazen Petrovic, Rik Smits, Sarunas Marciulionus and of course, Hakeem Olajuwon. While these players were all talented, Hakeem was the only foreign player to have a significant impact on the league, having won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in the mid-1990s.
Fast forward to the present-day NBA and find a dramatically different league overrun with international talent. Three of the last four MVP award-winners were foreign-born (Nash in 2004-5; 2005-6 and Nowitzki 2006-7). Tim Duncan, born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has four NBA titles. Manu Ginobili (Argentina) and Tony Parker (France) were alongside for three of them. Andrew Bogut (Australia), Andrea Bargnani (Italy), Michael Olowokandi (Nigeria) and Yao Ming (China) were all number one draft picks.
In the past, there were few, if any, Latin players. And zero Asian players. Now the league features possibly the most recognizable athlete in the world in Yao Ming. International competition has proven it is currently on par with the Americans. The game has truly become global.
To date, the league has benefited from the influx. Until now.
The NBA has recently seen one of its players leave overseas. Former Atlanta Hawk Josh Childress recently made news when he announced he was signing with the Greek professional team, Olympiakos, for three years and twenty million dollars. While Childress is far from a big name and has largely failed to live up to his potential, other athletes of note have also opted for international waters. University of Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings decided to join the Italian professional league instead of going to college. And during the recent Beijing Olympics, both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have hinted that they would at least entertain the idea of playing overseas if the offer was on the table. There was talk of international teams dangling as much as $50 million to top tier athletes to woo them overseas.
The NBA has a rich tradition and is currently in great shape. Despite still struggling with image issues, this year’s Lakers-Celtics Finals garnered the highest ratings in recent memory. The league’s talent and star power are arguably at an all-time high. The NBA still features the greatest basketball players in the world. That being said, could the league survive an exodus of one of its biggest names?
This is not the first time the NBA faced competition from a rival league. In the 1970s, the ABA gave the NBA a run for its money. The ABA was able to pay more for college athletes and landed such big names as Rick Barry, Louie Dampier, George Gervin, Connie Hawkins, Spencer Haywood and of course, Julius Erving. Since the ABA was able to throw more money at young college stars, the NBA had difficulty competing for the nation’s best college athletes, often losing out. Many considered the ABA’s talent on a par with, if not better than, the NBA. Ultimately, the NBA won over and forced the ABA to merge. Yet, the ABA offered players something the NBA could not. International leagues may be poised to do the same.
The NBA’s salary cap, which is adjusted every year, does not allow for a team to sign one player anything close to what certain international leagues are rumored to be offering. The entire team salary cap for the 2008-9 season will be $58.68 million, nowhere close to the purported $50 mil Olympiakos wants to offer King James. And while most star athletes make up for their (lack of) league salary through endorsements, what’s to say those same deals would not exist abroad. After all, McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Nike all do fairly well overseas.
While players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James might yearn to be considered the best to ever play the game, accomplishing that feat now means having to win six NBA titles a la Michael Jordan. Accomplishing that with the parity in the league these days is a near impossibility. Most scoring titles are out of reach as well. Kareem Adbul Jabbar is the league’s leading scorer after playing for twenty seasons. He also holds six MVP trophies. Both those records are likely unattainable considering LeBron hasn’t won one yet and Kobe just won his first.
So what is a player’s incentive to remain in the NBA? The league’s rich tradition? The hopeless quest to chase the legacy of Michael Jordan? Dealing with a commissioner who won't allow them to wear a hat backwards or play basketball until completing two years of college? Kobe and LeBron owe the league nothing. If anything, the league owes them for its success. Remember, even Michael took two years off from the league to pursue other endeavors. Television ratings dropped as a result.
The league potentially has a serious problem on its hands. Forget Brett Favre leaving the Packers. If Kobe Bryant were to leave the NBA, that would be the sports story of the decade. We’re not talking about a veteran player opting to finish his career elsewhere. We’re talking about one of the greatest talents the game has ever seen thumbing his nose at the league in his prime. It would serve as a harsh reminder to most ethnocentric Americans that our brand is not the best, or at least we can’t afford it.
David Stern will soon be faced with some difficult choices. It is now Stern who will have to make adjustments, and the NCAA and/or multinational corporations may have to be involved. Athletes are free to do as they please, unless they’re locked in to a contract, which LeBron won’t be in 2010. This is a huge bargaining chip for the players’ union. While the NBA has pushed for a franchise overseas, Stern may have to take a closer look at how the league now interacts with rival international leagues, possibly doing so on its own terms to ensure it does not cost them an exodus of talent. Although the Association is currently thriving, it can likely not cope, if even survive, if Kobe and/or LeBron James leave the league. Take a look at how PGA television ratings and attendance drop when Tiger Woods isn’t on tour. While the NBA has more balanced star power and a more exciting product than the PGA, losing its biggest name(s) would undoubtedly have a devastating impact.
Of course, this could all just be talk. Those offers might not be on the table. Today’s player might have a change of heart and realize that the NBA is where they belong, for it made them into the stars they are today. After all, there’s loyalty in business, right? In the end, all it will take is one big signature on the dotted line to reverse all the good that Stern’s international impetus has brought to the NBA.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics is upon us and decorated swimmer Michael Phelps is not the only recognizable American hoping to return home with gold. There are twelve other American athletes, the men who comprise Team USA Basketball, who this time travel to China with a chip on their shoulders, for they are no longer considered the best in their sport. On August 10th, Team USA Basketball officially begins their quest for Olympic gold, a shot at redemption and the right to once again proclaim that America’s brand of basketball is the best on the planet.
Over the past eight years, Americans have been flat out embarrassed in international competition. Team USA finished sixth in the 2002 World Championship. They finished 3rd in both the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Championships. Despite underachieving recently, Team USA is once again considered the favorite to win the gold medal. By all accounts, they should live up to those expectations. This team and coaching staff, under the guidance of Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, was assembled differently than in years past, embracing a team concept over emphasis on the individual superstar. While this current ‘Dream Team’ still features Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, only one player on this roster, Jason Kidd, owns a gold medal, hopefully leaving eleven more with the desire to join him in that honor.
Under the leadership of head coach Mike Krzyzewksi, several factors, if used to their advantage, set up nicely for an American return to dominance, yet Team USA must not take any opponent lightly. Not only will anything less than a gold medal be a tremendous disappointment, it will also serve as a glaring reminder that the United States is no longer the epicenter of the basketball world.
Rules: While international rules are generally the same as the NBA, there are a few subtle differences that Team USA should be able to use to their advantage. International play is more physical than in the NBA. Hand-checking, long banished from the NBA, is allowed. Team USA will have to adjust to more physical play on the defensive end, particularly on the perimeter, while learning what is whistled and what is not. A return to perimeter hand-checking should help a stronger USA team if they practice it properly. They also can’t get frustrated when covered in that fashion. While many American players may still be able to use their star power to warrant a foul call, Olympic officials will not stand for the temper tantrums for which most NBA players are known. Team USA must also be aware that traveling as it exists in the rule book will be strictly called. The extra step (or two) allowed by many an NBA referee will not be tolerated. Offensive goaltending, which is illegal in the NBA, is allowed in international play. If NBA players can become accustomed to reacting quickly to put-backs, not only can they take advantage of this rule, but emphatic dunks, in addition to the two points, will have a secondary effect of mesmerizing and demoralizing the opponents. Dwight Howard could have a heyday.
Jump-Shooting: The international three-point line is considerably closer to the basket than in the NBA (20 feet, 6 inches as opposed to 23 feet, 9 inches). This is enough to make jump shooters like Michael Redd salivate. Most anyone on Team USA can shoot from the perimeter. That being said, they must not fall in love with the jump shot. While undersized (Team USA features no seven-footers), the Americans must still use their strength and quickness to their advantage. While Team USA only has Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard in the post, they should still be able to work the inside-outside game to their advantage. A cold shooting Team USA that settles for jumpers will lead to fastbreaks and if that’s the case, Team USA better have their transition defense in order. Team USA shot 66% from the floor in their warm up against Canada, by blending a nice mix of post-up and perimeter play. While it’s unlikely that the US can shoot that high a percentage from the floor against the remaining Olympic competition, a number relatively close to that should guarantee a gold medal
Point Guard Play: Jason Kidd is the only current player on this U.S. team to have a gold medal on his mantel. While many pundits questioned his invitation, his veteran presence has allowed him to become the team leader. As one of the game’s premier point guards over the past decade, he has earned the respect of his teammates. While he’ll likely not log the minutes of his more capable backups, Chris Paul and Deron Williams, it will be Kidd who starts the games and sets the tempo. Much like a starting pitcher sets up shop for the closers, Paul and Williams should close out what Kidd has started… with flair. Against Canada, Coach K played both Paul and Williams at the same time. That lineup could definitely work, particularly against the speedier teams in competition. Paul and Williams have proven they are the next generation of NBA point guards and should be a load for any opposing perimeter defense. Paul and Williams must also play competent 'D' to shut down opposing playmakers such as Spain’s Jose Calderon. Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James might also likely see some time handling the ball.
Desire: If USA basketball's recent international woes are not enough to motivate this team, nothing will be. In 1992, when the original Dream Team of Michael, Magic and Larry took the floor, opponents were awestruck. Competitors were too busy asking for autographs to be concerned that they were being beaten by an average of fifty points per game. While scoring discrepancies of that magnitude are unlikely in this Olympics, the US team should be motivated enough to humiliate its opponents. After all, Team USA has been humiliated over the past eight years and turnabout is fair play. Team USA should have their game faces on. Anything less will be a total disappointment.
Coaching: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has assembled a talented group of coaches to assist him in bringing home the gold. Current Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni was an obvious selection because of his international experience. Portland Trailblazers coach Nate McMillan and Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim are also great basketball minds. These coaches should do fairly well at keeping this young team’s eyes on the prize.
Size/rebounding: Team USA only features one true center: Dwight Howard. Chris Bosh will also share time on the low blocks, as will Carlos Boozer. Team USA will be undersized when they face Yao Ming and Team China in their opening game. Dwight Howard is still recovering from a fractured sternum, though by his accounts, he’ll be ready to play. An aggravation to that injury, however, will leave Team USA center-less. Boozer, Bosh and Carmelo Anthony should all help with the rebounding load, and LeBron has been known to pull down his fair share. But Team USA will be at a disadvantage if opposing teams are successful pounding the ball inside and getting Team USA into foul trouble. Players are allotted five fouls only in Olympic play, not six as NBA players are accustomed to. The team USA frontcourt will have to learn how much physicality they’ll be able to defend with while not getting themselves into foul trouble.
LeBron’s health: The chosen one, LeBron James, is nursing a bum ankle but should likely be 100% come tournament time. Can Team USA win gold without a healthy LeBron? Likely. Will Team USA be much more entertaining to watch, as well as more intimidating with LeBron on the floor? Unquestionably.
Competition: Several teams should pose at least somewhat of a threat to Team USA. Team Germany features former league MVP Dirk Nowitzki. Team China features Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Team Australia boasts 2005 top draft pick, Andrew Bogut. Andrei Kirilenko suits up for Russia. But the Americans should be able to dispatch these teams with relative ease. The stiffest competition should come from either current gold medalists Argentina with Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni or Team Spain with Jose Calderon and Pau Gasol. Regardless, no team will have the depth and talent of Team USA. A well-coached and properly motivated American team should reestablish its international dominance and bring home the gold to its rightful owners.
Five road games, five road losses for the Boston Celtics. This same Boston team had only ten road losses this season, the best in the NBA. In only eleven post-season games, they’ve already lost half that many.
Make no bones about it. Danny Ainge assembled this Celtic team with one intention and one intention only: to win an NBA title. We’ve heard Kevin Garnett say anything less would be a disappointment nearly as many times as we’ve seen his Gatorade commercial.
Lofty expectations for sure, and once thought to be realistic…. until we all saw the product they’ve put on the floor lately. After boasting the regular season’s best record, the C’s are now 6-5 on the road and yearn for the friendly confines of the Fleet Center after each loss.
After listening to Magic, Charles and Kenny on Monday night’s “Inside the NBA,” they all, without directly throwing Doc Rivers under the bus, claimed that this team is still searching for an identity, that they're not getting the shots they want. Magic aptly pointed out that Rajon Rondo cannot be taking more shots than both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. And he’s right. While their presence on the floor might free Rondo up for shots, he should still be the facilitator, not the shot-taker for the “Charles told me not to call them the” Big Three. On the road, their offense is stagnant. They scored twelve points in last night’s fourth quarter. Perhaps it's time for Doc Rivers, a la Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers," to pull out his measuring tape and measure the free throw line to the basket and the height of the rim to the floor to show his team that courts away from the Fleet Center are the same size as at home.
Someone needs to be held accountable. Yes, Doc pulled Rondo off the floor after a late and ill-advised three-point attempt and told him not to take any more ‘hero shots.’ But it is ultimately the coach’s responsibility to direct this team and help them find that identity. How hard can that be? They’ve played 90+ games together and are all veterans and potential Hall-Of-Famers. Doc is a former point guard.
Personally, I think the fact that none of these three can handle the ball hurts their ability to run their offense. Kobe can bring the ball up the floor. LeBron always has the handle at the end of the game. The fact that those three can’t do that hurts their chances. Again, that’s just one man’s opinion.
Look, I’m no Celtics fan, but I do like the team they’ve assembled. That being said, they need to elevate their game. Like KG says “playoffs is playoffs!” While the Celtics may only need to hold serve throughout, I’m sure they and their fans would cherish a road victory like a newborn baby at this point. No Celtic fan in their right mind wants any part of LeBron, the Pistons or Kobe Bryant in a Game Seven no matter where they’re playing or how many clovers they have on their uniform. Anything can happen, and probably will to a Celtic team with shaken confidence.
Whatever the problem is, Doc better figure it out soon. While anything less than a title might be a disappointment, anything less than the Eastern Conference Finals might just get Doc fired.
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.
The following article will be published in the May issue ofCampus Talk, a magazine local to Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee. If you're a local, pick one up and increase their circulation. They also have lots of pictures of pretty girls for extra motivation. Please excuse the brevity, fellow basketball joneses... had to keep it to 750 words or less.
Lakers. Celtics. These franchises dominated the NBA in 1980s. This year’s Finals might see the return of that storied rivalry.
If you like drama, this post-season will not disappoint. Celtics-Pistons. LeBron James. Shaq versus Kobe. The emergence of Chris Paul. The rock steady San Antonio Spurs. The fact the league features no clear cut champion or MVP illustrates how competitive the game has become. Furthermore, a flurry of unprecedented roster reshuffling should make this post-season the most thrilling in recent history.
While Boston has ruled the East, Western teams have jockeyed for playoff position in a league now characterized by its parity. Whoever hoists the O’Brien Trophy at season’s end is anyone’s guess.
Boston Celtics: The off-season addition of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett instantly propelled Boston into title contenders. Boston should boast home court advantage throughout the playoffs and although the Fleet Center doesn’t have the mystique of the old Boston Garden, beating the Celtics four times in seven games will prove difficult in any venue.
Detroit Pistons: Detroit has been a pillar of consistency, returning Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Wallace. If any team threatens Boston in the East, it will likely be Detroit, who have a chip on their shoulder after losing to Cleveland last year.
Orlando Magic: While many have already crowned Boston and Detroit, the three-headed frontcourt of Lewis, Howard and Turkoglu could present mismatches for other Eastern opponents.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James single-handedly deflated Detroit last year in a playoff performance for the ages. The Cavs added Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak to give him some support.
Atlanta, Washington, Toronto, and Philadelphia round out the remaining Eastern conference playoff teams, but should not pose much of a threat. The Western Conference, however, is rife with teams that can ALL be the last team standing.
New Orleans Hornets: Having played most of last season in Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina, few expected greatness from the Hornets, however, MVP candidate Chris Paul has been nothing less than sensational. New Orleans has flirted with the West’s best record all season.
Los Angeles Lakers: L.A. pulled off a coup, obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Andrew Bynum’s return to the lineup, along with Gasol, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant pose one of the most formidable rosters in the league.
Phoenix Suns: The Gasol acquisition sent a shockwave through the NBA as teams league-wide made moves to compete. Enter the Big Aristotle. GM Steve Kerr brought Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix to add some size to their lineup. At 36, Shaq is no longer the player he once was, but his presence frees up Amare Stoudamire to wreak havoc in the lane. An eventual match-up pitting O’Neal and former teammate Kobe Bryant is enough to make even the fringe fan salivate.
San Antonio Spurs: Winners of three of the last five championships, the San Antonio Spurs quietly prod along with their unassuming and disciplined play. Foreign born Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to prove that basketball is more than ever a global game.
Utah Jazz: Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer led Utah to the Western Conference Finals last year. There’s no reason to think they can’t repeat that same success. Although it would be ironic for Jerry Sloan to finally win a title with this team when he couldn’t with Stockton and Malone.
Dallas Mavericks: The runners-up two years ago have had a spell of bad luck. They were defeated by 8th seed Golden State last year and Dirk Nowitzki is sidelined with a ankle and knee sprain. Although Mavs owner Mark Cuban added Jason Kidd, only time will tell whether that duo can lead Dallas to their first title.
Denver Nuggets: Despite being the worst defensive team in the league, nobody wants to face Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby. If coach George Karl can reign in this talent, Denver could do some damage.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets were dealt a blow when they lost Yao Ming for the season, however, in his absence, they still won 22 consecutive games. Role players like Shane Battier, Luis Scola and Rafer Alston have assisted Tracy McGrady in the recent Rocket success, but Houston will be hard-pressed to compete for a title without their big man.
May and June promise to showcase the most competitive basketball in recent memory. And although the NFL still rules the nation, the NBA’s post-season will unquestionably feature some spectacular moments to add to the league’s rich history.
2007-2008 was supposed to be different. The National Basketball Association which in recent years has been characterized by Western Conference dominance (seven of the last nine titles reside in the West, as well as the last six MVP’s) was supposed to see a rise in Eastern competitiveness.
The New York Knicks after a promising first half last season appeared to have turned things around. The Nets behind Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson were poised to contend for a title. After winning the Atlantic Conference last year, the Toronto Raptors, behind Chris Bosh and TJ Ford, were to become an up-and-coming and consistent force in the league. The Cleveland Cavaliers made the NBA Finals last year and many felt LeBron James had turned the page into becoming the best player in the game. The upstart Chicago Bulls were expected to give the more veteran teams in the league quite a challenge. And the Miami Heat, who only two seasons ago were hoisting the O’Brien Trophy, were to once again be led by their dynamic duo.
Currently, only one of the aforementioned teams is above .500. Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss… the Western Conference.
There have been a few pleasant surprises in the East. The Celtics Big Three look like potential NBA champions. The Orlando Magic behind man-child Dwight Howard raced off to a hot start. And the Detroit Pistons are still the Pistons. But questions even lie within these rosters. Will the Celtics add a veteran back-up point guard to provide support for young Rajon Rondo when it matters most… in June? Does anyone expect Rondo to contend with the likes of Tony Parker, Steve Nash or Deron Williams, never mind Chauncey Billups? Despite the hot start, the Magic have dropped seven of their last ten, are playing sub-.500 ball on their home floor and are allowing 100 points a game. And although steady, does Detroit have enough in their tank for one more title run.
The remaining Eastern Conference teams have been nothing less than tremendously disappointing…
Toronto Raptors (15-14): This team is waiting for someone to step up and become a third scorer. Bosh and Ford are talents but the rest of their roster is devoid of consistent, clutch scoring. Top draft pick Andrea Bargnani is averaging less than 10 points per game and is being outscored by teammate Jason Kapono.
New Jersey Nets (12-15): Is it any wonder that we hear weekly rumblings about Jason Kidd’s trade demands? For years, the Nets have failed to land an inside presence to help their backcourt. Show me a team where the point guard leads the team in rebounds and I’ll show you a team destined to get bounced in the second round of the playoffs, if they make the post-season at all. Can anyone even name the Nets starting power forward and center? I didn’t think so.
New York Knicks (8-19): On paper, the Knicks actually look like they could be a contender: Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, David Lee, Quentin Richardson. Unfortunately for Knicks fans, Isiah Thomas is still their coach and James Dolan is still their owner. With off-court problems casting a heavy shadow over the franchise, it’s unlikely the Knickerbockers will emerge and pose a serious threat in the Atlantic Division.
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-16): Ultimately, LeBron’s decision to re-sign with Cleveland when his contract is up will make or break this franchise. Their inability to surround him with top caliber talent might make his decision to bail easier. The front court of Drew Gooden and Anderson Varejao is formidable, but they’re no Carlos Boozer. Daniel Gibson is a spark, but the Larry Hughes experiment has been a total failure. There’s only so much one man can do, even if he is the chosen one.
Chicago Bulls (9-16): Chicago’s inability to get it together just cost Scott Skiles his job, but the Bulls’ fate may have been sealed when they signed Ben Wallace to a long-term contract. I know Big Ben was acquired for his defense presence, but he may very well be the highest-paid player per point scored to ever play the game. He’s making $15 mil this season and averaging fewer than five points per game. You do the math. Kobe trade rumors may have distracted the team, but at this point, Chicago should have pulled the trigger. They couldn’t be playing much worse.
Miami Heat (8-20): Hampered early by Dwayne Wade’s health problems and currently by Alonzo Mourning’s, the Heat look hard-pressed to make the playoffs. Shaquille O’Neal is averaging career low numbers and looks considerably older than 35. If anyone other than Pat Riley were coaching this team, he would have already been relieved of his duties. Even Stan Van Gundy, who’s now having the last laugh in Orlando, didn’t lead the Heat to an 8-20 record.
There have been some pleasant surprises in the East. The Atlanta Hawks are playing .500 ball and their young talent may be enough to bring this team into the post-season. But winning a playoff series is beyond anyone’s legitimate expectations. Indiana and Washington are mediocre at best. And nobody expected Charlotte or Philadelphia to be any good this season… and they’re not.
Contrast that to the Western teams who most thought would be average. The Lakers have shown renewed life and are playing among the best of the West. The young Portland Trailblazers have now won 11 straight. And there’s always the Jazz, Spurs, Suns, Nuggets and Mavericks.
Come June, we’re bound to hear even louder rumblings for Commissioner Stern to revise the league’s playoff structure, co-mingling the Eastern and Western teams in early rounds to weed out the lesser talent. As least hoops junkies can take solace in the fact that the Eastern Conference Finals between Detroit and Boston will be a series worth watching and the winner should pose a legitimate threat to whichever team comes out of the West. The rest of the Eastern teams might as well combine their rosters to form an All-Star team to contend with the top two. After all, that’s what Pistons and Celtics management has done and it seems to be working fairly well for them.
Museums exhibit priceless works of art. The world boasts countless objects of near perfection. Last night, fans were witness to one more: the Team USA’s first quarter against the Mexican national team.
Already boasting a 4-0 record in this year’s FIBA Americas Tournament, Team USA has been slowly reestablishing its international dominance…. and doing so with style and force.
For those unfamiliar with FIBA tournament rules, teams play four ten minute quarters (as opposed to twelve in the NBA) with fewer stoppages in play than the average NBA game as well. Monday night, Team USA scored 45 points in ten minutes.
Briefly watching the sparse SportsCenter highlights does not do this team justice, for there’s no way to effectively capture the vertical dunk-fest that has become Team USA’s dominance of this year’s FIBA tournament. So here’s an attempt to recap a near perfect first quarter, showcasing the world’s greatest basketball players playing an unbeatable level.
Starting for Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups set the tone early scoring five points in the game’s first thirty seconds, first by launching a three-pointer and then, by converting a fastbreak lay-up off a LeBron James steal.
Off a missed Mexican lay-up, Amare Stoudemire kicked the rebound out to Billups on the wing. Billups took one dribble, fed the ball up-court to LeBron, who drove, drew a double team and one-handed it out to Kobe on the left wing. Kobe spotted Carmelo Anthony (who’s been making a living in the paint this tournament) under the basket for the bucket and the foul. All five players touched the ball in a possession that took only eight seconds, longer than it took to read that paragraph.
At the 6:41 mark, Carmelo nailed a three-pointer, giving him eight of Team USA’s fifteen points.
After turning the ball over the previous possession, Kobe Bryant rattled home a shot from about five feet behind the three-point line.
At the 5:20 mark, Jason Kidd entered the game. Cue the highlight reel.
LeBron pulled down a strong, one-handed rebound from above the rim, found Kidd running up the floor, who then got it back to LeBron on the right wing. LeBron then took THREE Mexican players to the hole and drew the foul. That possession took another brief, eight seconds. In response to LeBron’s dunk, Bill Walton muttered “We’re used to that very much. The Mexican players… I’m not sure that they’ve EVER seen anything quite like LeBron James."
In the first five minutes of the quarter, Team USA missed one shot attempt.
Quadruple-teamed in the lane, LeBron spotted an open Mike Miller, who, rather than opting for the three, immediately whipped the ball to an open Amare Stoudamire for a signature two-handed dunk.
Mike Miller drove the lane, attracting double-team coverage, but found a cutting Jason Kidd, who threw a two-handed touch pass to Carmelo behind the arc. Carmelo drained it.
Dwight Howard, after being fouled, missed his second free throw attempt, which was then rebounded by Carmelo Anthony, who out-hustled three Mexican big men for the ball.
Then, perhaps the most obscene play of the half… Carmelo grabbed a rebound from an errant Mexican three-point attempt and kicked the outlet pass to Jason Kidd running up the right side of the floor. Kidd took one dribble and from BEHIND THE HALF-COURT LINE, threw a strike to Dwight Howard who snuck behind two Mexican defenders, then seemingly jumped over them for the alley-oop.
After consecutive dunks by Carmelo and Dwight Howard, Bill Walton appropriately proclaimed “this is getting out of hand quickly.”
Michael Redd launched a three-pointer… and hit. So far, Team USA has only missed two shots in the quarter.
On a commercial break that could not come soon enough for Team Mexico, Better Basketball offers a video, giving viewers the opportunity to “learn shooting from perhaps the best shooter in basketball history.” I’m excited about the possibilities until I learn they’re talking about J.J. Reddick.
Deron Williams played the two-man game to perfection with ‘Melo in the post, who then proceeded to dunk over the man covering him.
After another dunk, Carmelo finished the quarter with sixteen points on 6-6 shooting.
Fittingly, as the clock wound down, Deron Williams threw another alley-oop to Dwight Howard, who flushed it emphatically at the buzzer.
Team USA finished the quarter up 45-23. Ten minutes, forty-five points. To my recollection, Dream Team Jr. missed a total of four shots.
Critics will say not to get excited, that Team USA has only played Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, Brazil and Mexico, and that Argentina still remains on the docket. But after years of recent disappointment and underachieving, the Americans are playing as expected. Coach Krzyzewski is effectively managing his players’ minutes, while simultaneously keeping their eyes on the prize. Kobe Bryant is shutting down opponents. The American players have all checked their egos at the door and are feeding off each other’s talent.
Yes, the United States is turning the ball over, but that’s to be expected with their up-tempo style of play. At this pace, Team USA is looking invincible and is one more blowout victory closer to their ultimate goal: an Olympic gold medal.
