After watching the Orlando Magic’s first two playoff games against the Toronto Raptors, one thing has become obvious: Dwight Howard is playing like a man amongst boys. In his first two post-season appearances, Howard has tallied near unprecedented numbers: 25 points, 22 boards and five highlight-reel blocks in Game One, followed up with an equally impressive 29 and 20 in Game Two. For the series, he’s made 20 of his 30 shot attempts. His consecutive 20/20 playoff performances equal those of recent, all-time greats: Barkley, O’Neal, Duncan and Garnett.
Most knowledgeable basketball fans will agree that the five greatest centers of all-time, in no particular order, are Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal. It’s difficult for any other center to crack that top five. Numerous Hall Of Fame centers hover around that second tier of career big men: Moses and Mikan, Reed and Robinson. And how can we forget Patrick Ewing. Patrick is currently on the Orlando Magic payroll, coaching young Dwight, much like Abdul-Jabbar serves as a mentor for Laker Andrew Bynum.
Most will also agree that Patrick Ewing probably cracks the top ten centers of all-time. However, Howard’s recent performance begs the question. When it’s all said and done, will Dwight Howard have a better overall career than Patrick Ewing?
It’s a fair comparison. Both big men were drafted number one overall, Ewing in 1985 and Howard in 2004. Both were expected to bring their franchise back to prosperity. And both were the focal point of their team’s offense.
Despite never winning a title with the Knicks, Patrick Ewing was dominant. His Knickerbockers simply had the unpleasant misfortune of running into Michael Jordan year after year. Patrick was voted one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time. He averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds a game for his career. Patrick was good. Real good.
That being said, I don’t EVER remember Ewing taking over a game or being as dominant as Dwight has been over the past several nights. While two games may be a bit quick to judge, Howard has elevated his post-season play to frightening proportions. If he continues at this pace, Orlando will be a very difficult out for any team without a passable center.
Comparing their first four years, Patrick outscored Howard while Dwight hauled in more rebounds. Howard’s numbers may be inflated as he never had a power forward like Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason to absorb much of his rebounding load. That doesn’t change the fact that Dwight is getting those rebounds rather handily. Additionally, Patrick’s build was nowhere near that of the freakish Howard. Howard outweighs Ewing’s playing weight by 25 lbs., 265 to 240. It’s safe to assume that’s mostly muscle mass. The rim can so attest. Patrick had better range and could step out and hit the occasional 17-footer, particularly late in his career. It’s too early to see if Howard can develop that type of game (Shaquille never did). For now, he’s strictly power.
To say with any certainty that Dwight Howard will be a better overall player than Patrick after only four years in the league is pure speculation. Howard, drafted out of high school, entered the league at a younger age than Patrick Ewing, who won a national championship at Georgetown, so assuming longevity, his career numbers may be better. Patrick played for 17 years. Howard will be fortunate to play that long. As he ages, he’ll have to adjust his game as Patrick did. Winning the first championship in Orlando Magic history would likely vault Howard into consideration as one of the league’s greatest centers, for as sports fans, we’re fickle, often judging players by the number of rings on their fingers rather than their overall contribution to the game.
The debate makes for good fun. The fact that we're even having this discussion means Dwight Howard is doing something pretty special right now. At this pace and with successful managerial decisions, Howard may have a long fruitful career in Orlando. It will be up to management to keep him surrounded with talent and not lose him as they have their superstars in the past like Shaquille O’Neal or Tracy McGrady. Howard may or may not become the player that Patrick Ewing was. One thing is for certain, however. He’ll be a joy to watch tearing down the rim in the meantime.
Are you really telling me that there’s a good chance the Suns will have to play the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs?!? That’s a nail biter, man, and I don’t think even the most rabid hoops junkies are quite ready for that kind of drama so early. Can’t they just ease us into it?
I won’t bore you with the ramifications of each possible outcome and its effect on the seeding for home court. NBA does a fine job of it on his blog. As I commented there, let’s see how powerful Commissioner Stern really is. There’s no WAY he wants this to be an opening round series.
The Suns-Spurs rivalry has undoubtedly been among the best the NBA has had to offer recently in the way of entertainment value. And in the talent-laden West, that’s saying something. It’s probably the most heated rivalry since the Lakers-Kings feuds a few years back. I still chuckle every time I hear that sound bite of Shaquille calling them the Sacramento Queens.
But back to the series, Suns management must feel confident that with the Diesel in the middle, their chance to finally topple the Spurs is upon them. It would be a shame to see either of these teams getting bounced so early. Stern can't want either Shaq and Nash or Duncan and Mr. Longoria to be sitting at home while the playoffs move forward. Can’t they each start by facing off against a Western pretender like Dallas or Houston and save the goods for later? Please? Mr. Stern, are you listening? Pull some strings, man. We all know you have it in you.
For the record, I don’t think a Spurs victory is a forgone conclusion. I honestly don’t know WHO will win this series. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the Suns were finally able to beat their long time nemesis. It also wouldn’t surprise me if the Spurs surgically pick the Suns apart. And it definitely wouldn’t surprise me to see Shaq set a nice stiff pick on Bruce Bowen to make up for that elbow he threw at Amare a few weeks back.
With Shaq in the lineup, the Suns might just have enough of a veteran presence to have them keep their composure when the Spurs try their traditional mind games. The question is, do they have enough talent on the floor?
Prediction, if it happens: Suns in 6 and the Diesel moves on.
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.
While the other two professional sports remain mired in scandal (see Spygate, steroids, etc.), Commissioner Stern has magically managed to make the Tim Donaghy scandal become a distant memory. Nothing can detract our attention away from negativity quite like a nice blockbuster trade or three. Well, recently the NBA has seen a slew of these like never before in its history. And they should all make for a VERY interesting playoffs.
This is undoubtedly the first year in recent memory where any one of nearly a dozen teams has a legitimate shot to win the title. The NBA has really taken on more of a college feel in that respect. Traditionally entering the NBA season, the league often lacks a touch of unpredictability as the usual suspects, i.e., Spurs, Pistons, etc. eventually find their way to hoisting the O’Brien Trophy come season’s end. But with the rich getting richer and several teams now boasting veritable all-star line-ups of their own, this year’s champion is anyone’s guess.
Let’s take a brief look at the contenders, shall we?
Boston Celtics (+275): All of New England was on Cloud Nine up until the New York Giants brought them back to reality with that Patriots smack-down. With the Red Sox World Series and an undefeated Patriots regular season, many thought the Big Three of Garnett, Pierce and Allen would continue that streak and keep Boston in Titletown mode. They still may. Despite a nagging abdominal injury to Kevin Garnett, which may cost him an MVP trophy depending on how many more games he misses, the Celtics are still poised to be the top seed in the East. They’re 23-4 at home and have still only lost nine games this season. Rajon Rondo is slowly answering his critics and Big Baby Davis has become a pleasant surprise in the post. The C’s have the best point differential in the NBA (double-digits) and, with a healthy Kevin Garnett, have a legitimate shot to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Who’s not geared up to see what this team can do in the playoffs?
Detroit Pistons (+315): Once again, the Pistons are competing and are the most, well-rounded team in the Eastern Conference. The same old cast of Billups, Hamilton, Prince and ‘Sheed continues to be a beacon of consistency. They are still among the league’s best defensive teams, all without Ben Wallace. And their bench remains solid. Most expect to see a Pistons-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals. They have so far split their season series with one more regular season game left to play at Boston on March 5.
Orlando Magic (+2200): Is it likely that the Magic win an NBA title? No. But the Magic consistently compete with the best teams in the league and hold their own. After all, they have already beaten the Celtics twice and they are leading their division. We have recently seen what an inspired Dwight Howard can do (see 24 rebounds against Denver). Hedo Turkoglu is playing the best basketball of his career and Rashard Lewis is averaging 18 and 5. If the Magic can get steady play from their point guard tandem, they could mess things up for the favorites in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+3000): All signs point to a Celtics-Pistons Eastern Conference Finals, BUT… LeBron James had something to say about that last year. He just might again. Whether the Chosen One plays inspired come June remains to be seen after his franchise failed to make a big trade to match every other team in the league. But after watching what LeBron did to Detroit last year to win the Eastern Conference, can anyone really count this team out?
New Orleans (+1100): Do I honestly think New Orleans has a shot at the crown? No. BUT… they currently boast the best record in the West. They’re leading the Southwest Division. By the way, Dallas and San Antonio reside in that division. Chris Paul is averaging a double-double and is a strong MVP candidate, particularly if the Hornets end up with the number one seed in the west. Tyson Chandler is finally living up to his potential and David West remains the best player in the league nobody’s ever heard of. Landing the number one seed could potentially throw a wrench into the entire Western Conference.
Phoenix (+415): Most pundits initially criticized Steve Kerr’s move to land Shaquille O’Neal. And after his first practice with the team, the only reports I heard were how winded he was afterwards. Well, duh. The Suns practice with a :07 second shot clock. Even Lance Armstrong would be winded after a few minutes of that. The bottom line is this… Shawn Marion was disgruntled and the Suns weren’t going anywhere with that roster, especially with some of the other big moves in the West. Phoenix had consistently been labeled ‘soft.’ Well, the Big Aristotle should change all that. I have faith that D’Antoni will effectively work Diesel into the line-up and adjust their style of play accordingly. As an opposing guard, I ask you… would you really want to drive the lane only to find Shaq and Amare in the middle waiting for you? If Shaq can somehow lead the Suns to an NBA Finals, he’ll be the only player in league history to reach that milestone with four different teams. Think he’s not looking forward to a seven-game series against Kobe and the Lakers?
Dallas (+475): If the Jason Kidd deal ever goes through, add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of Western Conference teams that have reacted to the Pau Gasol deal. Last year’s meltdown against Golden State should be enough motivation to light a spark underneath Dirk’s britches, particularly if he now has Kidd leading the break. The Mavs still may have some problems at center, but this team will rise and fall with the mismatches Nowitzki creates. And with Jason Kidd at the helm, you just cannot count this team out.
Utah (+925): The Jazz continue to impress. Last year’s Western Conference runners-up have been playing solid and consistent basketball all season long. Deron Williams has become one of the league’s premier young point guards and his numbers rival Chris Paul’s. Carlos Boozer, is as always, a beast. And young Ronnie Brewer has stepped up nicely. Deep down inside, tell me you’re not rooting for Coach Jerry Sloan to finally win a title.
Lakers (+700): Many have claimed the Lakers have already won the title on paper. Their steal of Pau Gasol began a chain of events that made this year’s NBA contenders look like an NBA All-Star roster. The Lakers now start Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Gasol who is playing unbelievably well right now. He’s already adapted into the triangle offense and is throwing down on people with regularlity. When Andrew Bynum returns, the team has as good a shot as anyone to win the title.
San Antonio (+505): Will anyone really be surprised to see Timmy and the Spurs playing in the NBA Finals….. again?
Denver (+2000): Sure, this may be a stretch as they’re currently a bubble team. Technically, the rush to field all-star talent might be traced back to the Nuggets landing Allen Iverson last year. With ‘Melo by his side, a healthy Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby who’s second in the league in rebounding, would anyone be surprised if Denver snuck in as an 8 seed and then knocked off the top seeded Hornets? I didn’t think so.
So there you have it… a quick and nasty breakdown of this season’s 2008 playoffs. Be sure to watch as this year may very well take on a college feel, as a bunch of players who have never won a title, might just dig deep down inside to raise the trophy for the first time. Who will that be? Well, that’s anybody’s guess.
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.
Mr. Roarke uttered these memorable words weekly as he and his miniature sidekick, Tattoo, would welcome visitors off of their hydroplane and onto Fantasy Island. Similarly, Celtics fans nationwide are currently pinching themselves, awaiting their complimentary leis and shamrock beverages, as Boston ushers in a new and promising era. By landing both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett this off-season, Danny Ainge may have already locked up G.M. of the Year.
However, let us all not drink the green Kool-Aid just yet. While the Fleet Center‘s future is certainly more promising than in seasons past, the Celtics are still far away from locking up the Eastern Conference, never mind an NBA title. Championships are not won on paper; several factors still stand in the way of the Celtics raising the O’Brien Trophy. The lack of a quality point guard both offensively and defensively, limited cap space, lack of a quality defensive presence on the interior, a strengthened Eastern conference and very possibly their head coach could all deter the Celtics from hoisting their 17th championship banner.
Who’s Bringing up the Ball?: Recent rumors have pointed toward the signing of veteran point guard, Brevin Knight. But can Ainge get him to sign for peanuts, knowing he’ll still have to land another big man? And are Knight and Rajon Rondo, a second year point guard who averaged four assists and two turnovers last year, enough to be the Celtics floor generals and dictate the tempo of the ballgame? And if not Knight, who? They won’t need much scoring out of this position, but they will need quality decision-making, limited turnovers and solid defense.
Who’s Defending the Point?: The last five NBA champions have all had one thing in common: a quality ball-handler in the clutch. Tony Parker won last year’s Finals MVP Award and has run the point for San Antonio’s last three titles. Dwayne Wade handled most of the crunch time point guard duties during Miami’s championship run. And Chauncey Billups won the Finals MVP for the Pistons in 2004. Whoever runs the floor for Boston will have to contend with tough point guard play. In a recent article, Bill Simmons compared the signing of these three superstars to the Rockets’ Barkley-Drexler-Olajuwon experiment. He appropriately pointed out that their point guard, Matt Maloney, was routinely broken down in the playoffs by John Stockton, leading to the Rockets being ousted prior to the Finals. The modern NBA has seen the emergence of Deron Williams, Chris Paul and T.J. Ford. In the Atlantic Division, the Celtics will regularly have to defend Ford, Jason Kidd, and Garnett’s former teammate, Stephon Marbury. If Boston is fortunate enough to get to the Finals, they’ll likely have to defend against Parker or two-time MVP, Steve Nash, both of whom are perfectly capable of breaking down a quality defender, never mind a mediocre one. If Danny Ainge fails to land a somewhat competent point guard who can mesh with this team and play on both ends of the floor, this experiment may all be for naught.
Cap Space: With Garnett, Allen and Pierce, the Celtics have all but expended their available salary. Management will have to be very creative under the cap. Anyone they acquire, and there are still key roster spots to fill, will have to put their egos aside and sign for close to the league minimum. I foresee Ray, Paul and KG picking up many dinner tabs in their immediate futures.
Age and Health: Adrenaline, drive and determination are essential to winning an NBA title. Unfortunately, so are minutes from the big guns. Both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce missed major playing time last year due to injury. Pierce played in 47 games and Allen suited up for 55. Tony Allen, who may also split time at 1- and 2-guard position, only played 33 games last season. The Big Three will all have to stay healthy for the Celtics to achieve their dream of a title. The coaching staff must effectively manage their minutes to ensure they’re all 100% come playoff time.
Coaching: Doc Rivers currently holds a 102-144 coaching record with the Celtics. While he has been saddled with mediocre teams in both Boston and Orlando, he is still under .500 for his career. The last 17 NBA championships have been commandeered by the coaching elite. During this period, only five men have led their teams to titles: Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley, Larry Brown, Phil Jackson and Rudy Tomjanovich. Can you really see Doc Rivers' name in this category? Ainge did the right thing by signing Rivers to a long-term extension to avoid any questions about his future with the team. However, expectations are extremely high. And if Doc cannot get the job done with these players, Celtic ownership can and will find someone who can. By that time, though, will it be too late?
The Diesel: While the center position in the league is not what it once was, the Miami Heat still boast a certain big man named Shaquille O’Neal. While Shaq is on the waning end of his career and will most likely not play a full season, he is still an undeniable presence. In a four-game series, who will cover an inspired Shaquille O’Neal looking for one last shot at a title? Kendrick Perkins? Glenn Davis? The tallest guy on the Celtics roster is free agent Michael Olowokandi. Need I say more? The Celtics must add a body, like PJ Brown or Kevin Willis, someone to absorb some fouls when they have to… and they’ll have to.
Eastern Rebirth: Compared to the Western Conference, the East, commonly referred to as the ‘junior varsity,’ has been the laughing stock of the league in recent years. That will not be the case this year. Chicago’s roster is stout. Detroit will be looking to make another run. Toronto will ensure they’re not a one-hit wonder. The Nets return their big three. Orlando has re-tooled. The Knicks may contend. And Cleveland still has a player named LeBron James who’s already tasted the NBA Finals and assuredly wants a return trip. To paraphrase Dikembe Mutombo, the Celtics will not have “a walk in the cake.”
The Celtics were the second worst team in the league last year. They have clearly made dramatic improvements and generated enough of a buzz to remove Tim Donaghy from the NBA headlines. The acquisition of both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen undoubtedly makes Boston instant contenders. But those three by themselves do not a championship make. Unless Danny Ainge and Celtics ownership face the remaining issues at hand, Boston may just fall short of its goal.
The following point/counter-point article will hopefully become a running series between me and fellow Fox Sports contributor, Bluegrass Lady. Much like those infamous duos who came before us, i.e., Jane Curtain & Dan Aykroyd, Barbara Walters & Harry Reasoner, and the Captain and Tenille, we will look to debate, discuss and provide alternative perspectives in the world of sports.
Hate is a strong word.
I like to think I don’t hate anything. Sure, as an adolescent sports fan, you grow up hating your rival with a passion. As a young Red Sox enthusiast, the first athlete I remember hating was Reggie Jackson. The guy would just destroy Boston. But as I matured (on paper) and grew older, I dropped the hatred bag and learned to appreciate the competitive nature of sports. Perhaps it’s because I’ve had the good fortune of seeing all my favorite teams finally win championships: the Boston Red Sox, the Florida Gators, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sure I still wince when I see Bobby Bowden and Phil Fulmer, but I wouldn’t say I hate them.
That brings us to Grant Hill.
I remember watching Grant at Duke, a supreme talent. Despite Christian Laettner’s success, we all know those Duke teams revolved around Grant Hill. Back when the Gators were still a fledgling basketball program, Florida had the (mis)fortune of facing Duke in the 1994 Final Four. While the Gators led Duke at halftime in that contest, the Blue Devils came back to torch UF in the second half. Grant Hill abused defenders that night pouring in twenty-five points, most of them coming late in the game when it mattered most. Duke would go on to lose to Arkansas in the championship game that year, but it was obvious that Grant was the best player on the floor. His talent was to be admired and appreciated, despite the fact that he just single-handedly destroyed any Gator hopes for a first national championship.
Fans expected Grant to be a superstar in the NBA and rightfully so. Drafted third overall by Detroit, he didn’t disappoint early on. In six full seasons, the key word being full, Hill averaged well over twenty points per game, including 20 points in his rookie campaign and 26 in his final season with the Pistons. He was a model of consistency and class on and off the court. Son of NFL legend Calvin Hill, Grant seemed destined for greatness, the poster child for the post-Jordan NBA. When the Orlando Magic inked him to a multi-year deal, the future looked bright in sunny, Central Florida. With Hill, they landed a superstar athlete and the veteran leadership they needed to make them contenders once again in the Eastern Conference.
That was before ankle-gate.
In 2000, Orlando signed Hill to a multi-year $93 million contract. Hill, who was once viewed as the future face of the franchise, soon had his career shortened by a total of FIVE ankle surgeries and an additional surgery to repair a hernia.
In his first two seasons in Orlando, Hill played a total of 18 games. In fact, for the duration of his tenure with the Magic, Hill only played a total of 200 games. That translates to over $450,000 per game actually played!!! That’s Roger Clemens kind of money.
Ironically, Hill’s contract crippled the Magic franchise as much the ankle surgeries did in Hill. Capped out and unable to land an exemption from the league, Orlando was unable to sign any big name players for the duration of the contract.
This year, Hill’s deal finally expired, allowing Orlando to once again become players in the free agent market. Grant Hill, however, now healthy, has decided to sign a short term, four million dollar contract with Phoenix, a figure Orlando would certainly have matched to keep him in pinstripes. A shell of his former self, in 65 games last season, he averaged fourteen points and four rebounds per game. Compare that to his third full season in the NBA where he nearly averaged a triple-double (21, 9 and 7). He still contributed on the floor, however, and with the signing of Rashard Lewis, Hill would have been surrounded by more talent than in recent years.
No one ever questioned Hill’s determination to get healthy and back on the court. Fans knew he wanted to play, but was unable to due to the slow healing process of his reconstructed ankle. With Hill’s departure, the city that once welcomed him with open arms is now disappointed and angered by the fact that Hill, now healthy, has jumped ship to play for a contender.
We’ve learned that loyalty means very little in sports these days. Long gone are the Cal Ripkens, Carl Yastrzemskis or Ernie Banks who play their entire careers with one franchise. Sure we still have Brett Favre, but last time I checked, Favre has been quite vocal recently about looking to play elsewhere if his team didn’t surround him with talent. These days, the player is boss. He (and his agent) determine his net worth and what uniform he wears, not the other way around.
The Grant Hill scenario, however, is different. Never before has a franchise nearly mortgaged itself to sign a top-tier athlete, only to lose him for the entire length of that contract, to then have him sign with another team when healthy. The Magic backed Hill. The frustrated, and somewhat naïve, fans supported him, with the hopes that eventually Hill’s heel would heal. After cashing that last big check, Hill now leaves Orlando for Phoenix’s up-tempo style which may or may not suit his conditioning and get him a title.
Shaquille O’Neal left Orlando and was booed with regularity when he returned to the O-Rena. Even T-Mac heard some jeers when he returned. But you can bet your bottom dollar when Grant returns to Orlando next season, he’ll hear it loud and clear from the fans that had his back… and his ankle for so many years.
Grant Hill was always perceived as a class character. It turns out he’s just like every other professional athlete. Like I said earlier, I don’t hate the guy.
Early rumors indicate that Seattle Supersonic forward Rashard Lewis will sign a five-year, $80 million contract with the Orlando Magic. The deal might cost the Magic more than that if they end up working a sign-and-trade deal with Seattle.
This off-season, the Orlando Magic were finally able to become a major player in the NBA free agent market as the Grant Hill contract that held the franchise hostage for so long has finally expired. Recent word is that Grant Hill wants to play for Phoenix (who doesn’t?) who would probably offer Hill close to the league minimum if they have any interest at all. Although Hill was second on the Magic in scoring last year, many Magic fans would probably be just as glad to see Hill, his expired contract and his reconstructed ankles hit the road.
Early reactions in Orlando about the Lewis signing are mixed. While Dwight Howard lobbied extensively for the Magic to sign Lewis, is Lewis the answer to their problems? In recent years, Lewis has been an effective scorer in Seattle, playing alongside Ray Allen. Lewis has increased his scoring average every year for the past four years, averaging a career high 22.4 ppg last year. But the lineup of Howard, Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson and Tony Battie hardly strikes fear into the hearts of Orlando's Eastern Conference foes. By landing Lewis, it is also unlikely the Magic are able to resign Darko Milicic.
While Orlando made the playoffs last year, they finished the season two games under .500 (40-42) and got swept out of the playoffs by a Detroit team that ended up falling short of the Eastern Conference Finals. While still clearly anemic compared to the talent out West, the Junior Varsity will have several up-and-coming teams that should vie for the post-season. The Bulls, Pistons, Nets, Heat and Cavaliers should all be considered playoff shoe-ins, leaving the remaining teams to fight for only three playoff spots. Charlotte, Atlanta and Boston all improved their rosters dramatically on draft day. The Knicks may make a push with Zach Randolph. The Toronto Raptors proved their mettle last season. And Washington with Gilbert Arenas cannot be discounted. In other words, the signing of Lewis does not guarantee Orlando a playoff spot.
There will still be plenty of free agent signings this off-season, with the whereabouts of superstars Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett still unknown. The Magic may still have some more signings up their sleeves. But this is a far cry from the Orlando Magic that in one off-season attempted to sign Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan in one fell swoop. For a team that was desperately in need of a perimeter scorer last year, the Magic did well to sign Lewis. But Orlando is still a far cry away from being a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
As I sit here watching the Orlando Magic lose to the Pistons, I’m reminded of a number of things.
I’m reminded of the fact that Detroit has now won seven consecutive playoff games against Orlando, dating back to when the Magic had a 3-1 first round lead when Tracy McGrady mistakenly uttered at a post-game press conference that the series was over.
Noone has been more wrong.
Sure, the Orlando Magic have the blocks to build upon with Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza and the like, but their future holds more questions than answers. Will Milicic live up to his draft billing? Is Brian Hill the coach capable of taking this team back to the Finals? Will JJ Reddick pan out? Is Hedo the player you want as your primary offensive threat? Is Jameer Nelson a full-time point guard? Can you get Grant Hill to stay and sign for the league minimum? And what free agents are out there that will benefit the team in the short and long run?
