In the beginning of Game One of the Lakers-Spurs series, Tim Duncan went up for an offensive rebound. As he was coming down, before his feet hit the floor, he tipped it to a wide open Bruce Bowen on the perimeter. Duncan wasn’t even squared, touch-passing it sideways across his body, with laser-like accuracy, knowing exactly where his teammate was on the floor. Bowen went on to miss that jump shot, but it’s that type of play which illustrates, that despite all the big name, free agent signings of Phoenix, Dallas, L.A. and Boston, there is no substitute for a talented, well coached and cohesive unit of individuals working in near perfect synchronicity for an(other) NBA title.
As in years past, most pundits, including myself on occasion, have consistently and inexplicably counted out the San Antonio Spurs. After going 3-3 against the upstart New Orleans Hornets, the Spurs minced no words in a Game 7 victory IN the Big Easy. In the first half of tonight’s opener against the Lakers, the Spurs once again show the world why they are the NBA’s best team this decade.
This core group of Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and their supporting cast continue to impress true basketball fans with their execution and teamwork. And Gregg Popovich remains the most underappreciated coach the game has ever seen.
Let’s now assume the following. IF the Spurs shock the world and knock off BOTH the Lakers and Celtics (assuming Boston’s in), this may be the most impressive run of their dynasty. Yes, the Lakers and Celtics both have more talent on paper. Kobe is the single, most impressive talent in the game. Garnett is playing like a man possessed. But let us not forget Tim Duncan is likely the best power forward any of us have ever seen.
This season, the NBA saw a slew of teams spending big time dollars and possibly jeopardizing their future, jockeying to acquire talent for a run at a title. In retrospect, when has this EVER worked in building a basketball dynasty. They are not created overnight.
Amazingly, GMs still fail to look at the San Antonio model to see how titles are won, which is by landing a heady, determined coach that knows the game and trusts his players as they trust him in return. (Landing the opportunity to draft Tim Duncan doesn't hurt either).
Nobody expected Tony Parker to come into the league and do what he’s doing. Not only has he landed the homecoming queen, but he continues to put up high percentage shots while breaking down opposing point guards. Ginobili continues to get off shots as he pleases. Per Reggie Miller, the league has STILL not figured out that he’s left-handed. And Tim Duncan is well… Tim Duncan. The role players of Bowen, Finley, Vaughn, Horry, Barry, Udoka, Oberto and Thomas never force the issue and play within themselves much like the supporting cast of the 1990s Bulls. Pop goes eleven players deep into that bench and nobody gripes about touches, knowing that in the course of events, they’ll get theirs. That’s coaching, friends.
If the Spurs somehow knock off the giants of the league (they should really be considered one themselves), they’ll have beaten the Lakers, Celtics and Hornets, teams with the three best records in the regular season. After tonight's performance, does that at all look unrealistic?
By looking at San Antonio, and to a lesser extent Detroit, shrewd GMs league-wide may finally second guess (but probably not) the way championship teams are constructed, opting for the long-term prize rather than the quick fix. The Spurs offense is crisply executed, like players who have been running together for years. The Lakers and Celtics, while extremely talented, do not yet have that luxury. It shows when they face a quality defense.
If the Spurs pull this off, while impressive, it should really come as a surprise to no one. I mean, we’ve been watching this team for years, haven’t we? I know we live in a world of immediate gratification but isn’t long-term, sustained success better than rolling the dice? I think Gregg Popovich knows the answer to that question. Why doesn’t anyone else?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alright, I’ll blog about the NBA. And I promise to keep it brief since everyone else is writing about the Finals pretty effectively.
For me, one reason stands out as to why Cleveland is floundering this series. And it’s not just that they’re the inferior team. I don’t want to make it sound like I’m blaming head coach Mike Brown for Cleveland’s woes, but someone has to take accountability for their poor shot selection.
In tonight’s Game Three, the Cavaliers played an effective first half. They rebounded well and built themselves a comfortable lead by feeding LeBron and Big Z in the post.
Then came the Spurs.
With Tim Duncan on the bench, San Antonio finished the half on a 10-0 run. Brent Barry three-pointer. Tony Parker lay-up. Robert Horry three-point jumper. Tony Parker runner. Not exactly the motivation Cleveland was looking for going into the locker room.
So in the third quarter, what did Cleveland do? They abandoned what gave them their lead in the first half and instead settled for outside jump shots. Cleveland managed to score only 12 points in the next twelve minutes on 5-19 shooting. Only five of those nineteen attempts were in the paint!!
This has been going on all series long with LeBron settling for jump shots when he’s ice cold instead of driving the lane, drawing the contact and getting some easy buckets.
Now I’m no coach, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. If I’m coaching against the Spurs, and I’ve had success scoring in the paint AND I have three fouls on Tim Duncan, I continue to go at him. And if I find my players settling for outside jumpers, I pull them off the floor and insert a player who will continue to feed the post.
Granted, Cleveland did attempt to drive the lane on occasion tonight in an attempt to draw contact only to hear no whistle. But it was a physical game. The refs were letting them play on both ends of the floor. That doesn’t mean you abandon your game plan.
Memo to Coach Brown: Cleveland is not a perimeter team. Settling for jumpers is a sure way to lose this series.
Although at this point it might not matter much any more.
In this day and age of athletes breaking the law (allegedly), putting themselves first or complaining about this, that or the other, it’s refreshing to see an athlete accept, respect and eventually thrive under the wisdom and tutelage of his coach for the betterment of the team.
In late January, with a faltering bench, Coach Gregg Popovich decided to tinker with his lineup, moving forward Manu Ginobili from starter to bench player. Ever since that shift, Ginobili’s numbers and production have steadily increased, while his overall minutes per game have essentially remained. Pop’s shrewd move now has the Spurs one victory away from another Finals appearance, their third in five years.
Over the first month of the season, Ginobili averaged 14 points per game, but after becoming a reserve, consistently elevated his scoring to 17 ppg in January, 18 ppg in February and 19 ppg in March.
It’s what he’s done in the post-season, however, that has been most impressive. In Manu’s last eight playoffs games, he’s scored 24, 10, 26, 33, 23, 17, 14 and 22 points, shooting 46% from the floor over that stretch. He’s also averaged over five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game and has provided the immeasurable spark that Popovich was so desperately searching for.
In that same eight game span, Manu has had double digits in rebounds twice, double digits assists once, and had 9-9, 7-9 and 12-15 shooting nights from the free throw stripe. Although the Spurs still revolve around Tim Duncan, on Monday, Ginobili elevated his play on a night when his anchor struggled.
Opposing teams’ benches players are ill-equipped to handle Ginobili defensively or match his intensity. In the upcoming Finals, either Detroit or Cleveland may have to adjust their lineup, due to the mismatches Ginobili creates. And as Dallas found out in the first round of this year’s playoffs, changing your lineup to react to your opponent can very well end your season.
For Detroit, defense stopper Tayshaun Prince will have to log some serious minutes to be able to shut Ginobili down. There’s no player off Detroit’s bench capable of managing Manu. Similarly, there’s nobody off Cleveland’s bench equipped to cool him off either.
When San Antonio’s big three are clicking, they’re a joy to watch, unless of course you’re rooting for the other team. Someone better find an answer for Ginobili soon or San Antonio may very well be manu-facturing him another ring.
With another NBA draft comes another useless and ill-advised prognostication. I often wonder why the media feels the need to crown the next big player as the savior for the franchise that drafts him.
In recent interviews after this week’s NBA Draft selection, both Jay Bilas and Bob Ryan were quoted as saying that Greg Oden would undoubtedly bring a title to Portland (assuming they draft him) within the next three to five years. While I’m sure Trailblazer fans are ecstatic about the thought of returning to their glory years of Bill Walton and Dr. Jack Ramsey, unfortunately for them, a number one draft pick rarely guarantees a world championship.
A review of the top picks over the last twenty years supports this claim. Only once since 1985 has a player chosen number one been the key factor in bringing a championship to the team that drafted him:
1985: Patrick Ewing, Georgetown, Drafted by New York. While Patrick had a Hall of Fame career, he fell short of bringing the Knicks a title, thanks mostly to Michael Jordan. Patrick only took his team to an NBA Finals once, losing to Houston in the 1993-94 season.
1986: Brad Daugherty, North Carolina, Drafted by Cleveland. Brad failed to win a title with the Cavaliers, again thanks to Michael Jordan’s reign in the league. An injury plagued career, Daugherty can now be seen on ESPN as a NASCAR analyst.
1987: David Robinson, Navy, Drafted by San Antonio. Although the Admiral won a title, it wasn’t until the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan ten years later that they were able to get over the hump. Robinson was consistently unable to get them there on his own.
1988: Danny Manning, Kansas, Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers. By the time the Clippers made a decent run at the playoffs, Manning was out of the league.
1989: Pervis Ellison, Louisville, Sacramento Kings. Never played in an NBA Finals.
1990: Derrick Coleman, Syracuse, New Jersey Nets. Never carried his team to a title.
1991: Larry Johnson, UNLV, Drafted by Charlotte. Never won a title.
1992: Shaquille O’Neal, LSU, Drafted by Orlando. Shaq’s legacy on the game is undeniable. He won three championships with the Lakers and one with Miami, but none with the team that actually drafted him, taking the Magic to the Finals and losing to Houston in 1994-95.
1993: Chris Webber, Michigan, Drafted by Orlando. Orlando traded the rights to Webber for Anfernee Hardaway. Webber is only now getting to the Finals with Detroit at the end of his career and is hardly their go-to-guy.
1994: Glenn Robinson, Purdue, Drafted by Milwaukee. The Big Dog finally won a ring as a role player with the Spurs in 2005 and was hardly a factor in the series.
1995: Joe Smith, Maryland, Drafted by Golden State. Joe Smith is more famous for illegally signing with Minnesota than any magical playoff runs.
1996: Allen Iverson, Georgetown, Drafted by Philadelphia. The Answer was able to carry the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, only to lose to Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers.
1997: Tim Duncan, Wake Forest, Drafted by San Antonio. Big Fundamentals is the exception to the rule, the one shining star of the last twenty years who has delivered several championships to the Spurs. Duncan may go down as the best power forward to ever play the game. Duncan also played a full four years of college basketball before declaring for the draft.
1998: Michael Olowakandi, Pacific, Drafted by the Clippers. Think Los Angeles wants this pick back? The Kandiman has averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds over his career and was selected over Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Larry Hughes, Paul Pierce and this year’s MVP, Dirk Nowitzki.
1999: Elton Brand, Duke, Drafted by Chicago. No longer playing for the Bulls, Brand has been a consistent threat in the post, but as of yet, has not sniffed the Finals.
2000: Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati, Drafted by New Jersey. Marred by an injury-plagued career, K-Mart did help the Nets make it to the Finals, but it was more Jason Kidd’s team than his.
2001: Kwame Brown, Glynn Academy, Drafted by Washington. Not one of his finer scouting moments, Michael Jordan was able to lure Kwame away from a verbal commitment at the University of Florida with the guarantee of a number one pick. Kwame is still finding his place in the league.
2002: Yao Ming, China, Drafted by Houston. Although one of the most recognizable faces in the league, Yao has been unable to get out of the first round of the playoffs, and that’s with Tracy McGrady as his teammate.
2003: LeBron James, St Vincent, Drafted by Cleveland. The Chosen One is one series away from the Finals, but it doesn’t look like it will happen this year.
2004: Dwight Howard, SW Atlanta Christian Academy, Drafted by Orlando. Dwight had a breakout season, but the Magic are years away from any Finals appearances.
2005: Andrew Bogut, Utah, Drafted by Milwaukee. Too early to tell, but it’s unlikely Andrew will be the driving factor in bringing a championship back to Milwaukee.
2006: Andrea Bargnani, Italy, Drafted by Toronto. The Raptors won their division this year and Bargnani played well, but if Nowitzki can’t win a championship, do we really expect Bargnani to?
As you can see, the number one pick in the draft does not necessarily translate into titles. So, by that logic, isn’t it premature to guarantee that Greg Oden, who only played one year of college basketball at Ohio State, will bring Portland, who didn’t even make the playoffs this year, a championship??
Let’s quickly compare Oden’s college career numbers to Shaq’s and Duncan’s:
At Ohio State this year, Oden averaged 15.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.3 bpg and shot 61% from the floor.
For his career, Shaquille O’Neal averaged significantly better numbers: 21.6 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.5 bpg and also shot 61% from the floor. In 1990-91, his sophomore year, Shaq averaged 27 and 15!!
Duncan averaged 16, 12 and 4 over his four-year stint at Wake Forest and his numbers increased every year, averaging 21 and 15 his senior season.
I’m not saying Greg Oden won’t be a talent in the league, and I wish him and the team that drafts him the best. But to prematurely state that Oden will bring Portland a title is ill-informed and borderline ludicrous.
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?
After watching this series, one thing is certain. No one in the league can single cover Dwight Howard. His freakish size is matched only by his uncanny rebounding instincts. Orlando is desperately in need of a consistent perimeter threat to free things up for him inside. Ray Allen would be an ideal fit if only the Magic could wrestle him away from struggling Seattle.
