...and yes, the MVP has nothing to do with the Playoffs, but everything to do with TRUE worthiness sometimes...

Another ode, to Mr. Nash:

Yes Arenas scores and McGrady soars

T-Mac's back is bad but so is your’s

His season ended, so incomplete

While who’s still standing, the MVP…

You always had my true respect

For all those times you hit the deck

You rose and shone so many a time

Just like the Sun you rise so high...

Mr. Nash the MVP

Yes Mr. Nash you’re not Kobe

  You’re not Lebron you’re not A.I.         

You don’t fly high in the sky

So while the -question- is asked, your pass is your gift

With precision- so slick- and oh so crisp

And now I know the ANSWER is this

Your MVP is truly Legit

 

My point is, Nash has earned my respect for the MVP trophy.  He always had my respect as a player, but not MVP status.  Truthfully, by next week, It might be a different story, but he showed at least for once, to come and deliver, (in Dirks face at that), in the biggest of moments on the biggest of stages.

Post Script: Also, I know I need help with the pics I include.  I will figure that out, I am more about the writing right now...If anyone has suggestions though, let me know!

 

Mr. Nash we questioned thee           

Mr. Nash now we all see

How here and now- we see Diaw                   

And uptempo- is your cash cow

16 assists I can’t resist

Clutch three’s say please now you can’t miss…

                                             
               Mr. Nash- my apologizes

                I now know what- my eyes could see

The scrappiness that hair that mess

The determination, won’t settle for less

The heart the drive and DESERVEDLY

The NBA’s TRUE MVP

If you have bothered to pay attention to the Miami Heat the past two years, you would know, it’s really, all about ZO; that is THE Alonzo Mourning.  In last years Eastern Conference Finals, Miami didn’t lose just because Dwyane Wade was badly injured. (he completely missed game six which was a close out game for the HEAT, and he’d gotten hurt in game 5)  They lost because in GAME 7, Stan Van Gundy decided to stay with Udonis Haslem, who was playing a brilliant game by the way, instead of going back to ZO the last 2 minutes or so.  What transpired was Udonis, among other small mishaps Zo probably wouldn’t have encountered, got beat for a deciding rebound and put back by Rasheed Wallace.  A ball Alonzo would have rebounded with complete authority (assuming he would have been in as good as position as Haslem) and the rebound would have never been.  Actually, for that matter, he had proven throughout the game, to be the ultimate deterrent and DEFENDER at the Piston basket and most of what transpired probably would have been altered greatly.  I screamed at the screen last year at Yankee Doodle’s in Santa Monica, “where is Zo, why isn’t Zo in the game!!!!!”, as Udonis finally ran out of steam and started to get beat late in the fourth.  I couldn’t help but wonder, why is Ron Jeremy coaching a basketball team with Eddie Jones, Alonzo Mourning, Shaq and the real “baby Jordan”?  I also couldn’t help but wonder if Shaq was going to call out his teammates-again- after they missed some open 3’s and such, when he can’t even attempt a jump shot and can barely hit a free throw….but that is a different subject for another day, you must understand my Love hate relationship with that man…love him, no hate him, no love him…

So that was last year, this is this year, and Alonzo Mourning has been the light, when times were grim with Shaq’s injury problem.  Shaq was as usual, a little slow to get started this year, but Zo’s intensity, defense, dunks, BLOCKS and enthusiasm fueled the Heat on many a night with or without Shaq!  If every team could have a Man with that much skill and heart coming off of their bench, then what can you say?  Remember Zo, is what I say, remember Zo he paves the way…

The block the energy, the desire…THE Dwyane Wade?  What more can you say about D Wade tonight.  The decisive demoralizing block on Rip, the great shooting, the heart, the passion!  Is he what we’ve been looking for?  The only thing else we could have asked for was the “Lebron treatment” from the refs (a joke, a joke, I kid, I kid) then Dwyane Wade could have had a most spectacular night. At the very end though, the Pistons flat out gave up, and it was a little sad.  Yes I know Lebron and the CAVS took them to seven, but the Heat also have some veterans that have been waiting to turn it on all year, in some ways, all of their careers.  The great Gary Payton, seems to have saved all of his energy since the 2004 finals to get back some respect from Chauncey Billups (well at least myself), for the whoopin’ Billups put on him en route to being the MVP of that finals.  The Heat have a very hungry veteran squad, with a great leader and STAR in Wade.  They could possibly throttle this Pistons squad.  I know it is only game one, but the Heat still didn’t play that great. With the fouls to Shaq and D Wade, they showed they are deep enough this year, and as a rag tag group of guys much like the Pistons were, are now becoming galvanized and helped along by the expert leadership of Pat Riley and the collective will of the team to win the ultimate prize and be NBA champions.  Riley knows to let these grown men work some things out on their own sometimes but to also have them be aware of the things they are doing on the basketball court.   I too questioned him at points during the season and playoffs, but I am sure, all he ever did, was question those guys hearts in the locker room.  The Heat have responded well and the tired Detroit Pistons really didn’t have a shot tonight.  It will be interesting to see what happens the rest of the Eastern finals.  Flip Saunders has already lost in years past to an overall inferior Laker team, and as it has been stated by many, he is the real unknown factor.  The Pistons are still very hungry for respect, so I expect a much different team the next game, but, I also expect Miami to be sharper and crisper as well.  As long as Pat Riley knows when to stick with Zo and Shaq, and ‘Toine and J.Will don’t go nuts, (GP also needs to pick and choose and not force) the Heat go deep and should win in 6.  But as the ball bounces, men's fortunes are made…Game two should be GREAT! 

 

Tayshaun Prince is definitely not a back-up singer.  Every since “The Block” on Reggie Miller, Tayshaun has arguably been the most Dynamic Detroit Piston.  The Pistons as a unit put the suffocating squeeze to the Cleveland Cavs to end their Playoffs.  Lebron as great as he is, could not summon the spirit and savvy of Magic Johnson to complete their magical run.  Joey Crawford the official, called a mostly horrific game on both ends of the floor. (Now I have watched the behind the scenes programs about the refs and he is a nice guy, but I am not sure what game he is watching sometimes and he seems to like being on TV too much).  But overall, the Pistons pulled out the old school whoopin’ stick, and laid the defensive pressure heavily on the Cavaliers shoulders.  The pressure of the game seven also seemed too much for Lebron and his merry band of men and they faltered as much as the Pistons pressured them.  22% or so shooting is abysmal for the supporting cast.  I must admit, they looked a lot like the Lakers this year in game seven, except Detroit’s offense isn’t nearly as good as the Suns.  The supporting cast of the CAVS except for a few minutes in the first half was virtually non-existent.  The Pistons meanwhile, had the stretch of offensive cohesiveness they needed in the third quarter, and really never looked back.  The game was over at that point, unless the 3 Larry Hughes hit at the beginning of the fourth had ignited the CAVS, but the Pistons and the HOME crowd shrugged it off and no one got going for the CAVS.  The Pistons perimeter defense was stepped up to the point, where I thought it was 2004 and they were playing the Pacers and Larry Brown was still stalking the Pistons bench infuriating his players to play the “right way”.  Pistons vs. Heat like we all thought is AWESOME anyway. There was so much drama to get here so it is a great ride… Still kinda wanted to see LJ vs. D-Wade though and Shaq trying to beat down Big Z and Z stepping out on Shaq...

Notes:  The other official actually made a good call of a charge on Lebron finally in the fourth.  I love Lebron, but he is a bull sometimes and gets away with numerous travels and charges.

The Pistons also went back to the bread and butter with Rip in the second half, Screens baby, screens!

Also, does anyone notice the screens set for Lebron, not always good, but they run a lot of pick and roll situations.

People seem to forget, that Detroit won 64 games in the EASTERN conference. The East had 4 teams that lost 55 or more games this season!  Now, two of the teams with the most talent in the east, are finally realizing their true potential during this post season.  Two teams that were changed in the off-season, and have young leaders and new players trying to find the right mix with the veteran leadership.  The Heat, obviously have Shaq and Alonzo Mourning as their anchors, while the Cavs have the tough Eric Snow at the point, and Big Zydrunas to rely on for the Veteran Leadership.  

The Pistons meanwhile lost their anchor, in the form of Larry Brown.  The Pistons have players that need to be coached constantly and consistently.  The Pistons players individually are not great talents but their TEAM has achieved great things.  They are not superstars on their own.  Even Rasheed proved long ago, he is not the anchor of a team like a Tim Duncan and that he needs constant direction on the court, or his focus gets easily lost.  The Pistons still can pull out the Victory at home in game 7, but they need to get back to the true team basketball, and the DEFENSE that got them this far.  They can’t go at it one on one and rely on the three pointers.  Any NBA aficionado knows relying on threes is generally a recipe for disaster in the playoffs.

It can easily be said, that the two best NBA teams are in the WEST.  San Antonio and Dallas through smooth trades and good & fortunate drafts are the most solid teams in Basketball right now.  The depth of talent is almost staggering at some points.  With the Spurs having Tim Duncan playing back at an MVP level and with the newcomer Finley as veteran anchors, the Mavs are anchored by the great German Dirk Nowitzki and the champion ex-Spur Avery Johnson as their coach.  These teams are beatable, but their depth is overwhelming to most teams on most nights.  Remember Stackhouse, yeah he’s the Mavs SIXTH man!   That is it, plain and simple, the versatility displayed by these teams makes either virtually unbeatable come playoff time.  The Mavericks actually seem a little tougher than the Spurs, but I will say the Spurs (mainly Duncan) are finally showing the true toughness that I feel has lacked from them over their championship years.  -(Finley also has helped in this area and is needed because Lord knows Frenchy has the propensity to fall apart in crucial situations)- Usually, the fork would have already been in the Spurs at this point, but this year will be a toss up in game 7 after being down 3-1.  Good Luck to All and Good Night-

 

Notes:

I applaud the Players on these teams for giving us the Game 7’s we so richly deserve!

Now only if the Refs would get on board!

How the BUBBLE has burst!  The season long offensive surge of the Pistons has been stymied by the raised expectations and pressure of being a front runner bring.  THE CAVS with their inspired play, have conspired with no real expectations, to bring Detroit to the edge of elimination. The fact is though, I am not really surprised by this, but the reason is simple.  The Pistons are now thinking they can beat a team with offense, instead of beating them with DEFENSE, that is the ultimate fuel for their offense.  The Pistons, (with the referee’s calling, let’s just say, a very ‘eyebrow raising’ –infuriating- game)…on both sides, are now playing as individuals, and helping to be divided by Lebron and  –I thought this was coming sooner I will screw up your team with ignorant fouls and reactions at the wrong time,  Rasheed the deed Wallace- .

The Cavs with the one SINGLE dominant player, the emotion of the very sad Larry Hughes situation and a comparable cast of players, have ridden their very lovable star and his merry band of men, to the brink of dethroning the ’04, 05’ EASTERN CHAMPS. 

People must realize it is incredibly difficult to even -r e a c h-  ONE NBA FINALS during a career, let alone win multiple titles, especially back to back titles.  It takes a lot of good fortune, and a few GREAT players.  To actually get to the NBA FINALS three times in a row is incredible, to win, is pure gold. But right now, the Pistons have played many more games the past 3 years than the CAVS and look ready to be beat by a very solid and well built team. 

With the cast of players the CAVS have, the solid veteran point guard  play of SNOW, and as long as they don’t get scared, the CAVS should close out the PISTONS with ease at home.  Lebron should be able to get them one VICTORY on his own if need be, (but he most likely won’t at home with the hobbled RASHEED getting booed to the ultimate distraction) against the finally seemingly, overmatched Pistons.  Larry will be back and the emotion should destroy the Pistons.  They are ripe and ready to be plucked; they have FORGOTTEN THE HARD WORK, AND BLUE COLLAR NATURE THAT HAS GOT THEM TO THIS POINT...  NO STARS!  But now they are the stars…

With the CAVS diversity, especially as long as BIG Z is out their stretching the defense hitting jumpers and at least every once in a while actually playing like he is over 7 feet in the paint, the CAVS, as I have witnessed this season are SCARY GOOD!  LeBron is THE STAR right now and we better watch out... And LOVE IT!

Notes: Tayshaun again played great, so we gotta give it up to him.  I must say even though not super dominant tonight, Lebron is looking like the MVP by far over Nash and Billups.  Rasheed = Bad tonight…again. 

Refs, for the love of the man upstairs, please, do not call charges on guys when the pass is L O N G gone and the man is dunking!  In that kind of game please! On a –gosh darn- 7 footer FLOP!!!!!  I don’t care who is playing, that is horrible!

The Spurs are at the cusp of “going fishing” with the likes of Gilbert, Kobe, and Jermaine O’Neal while the Mavericks gain a seemingly commanding 3 to 1 series lead over the team they chased for the best record in the West throughout the season…

-Will someone in the Spurs organization realize that Tim Duncan isolated for the winning shot is a losing proposition?  Ginobili also gets a taste of his own medicine for his last two fouls! It must be noted, that this has happened in the West the last few years a few times where the team with the best record has lost.  It also must be noted, that Dallas did a little too much celebrating possibly after this VICTORY but we will see.  A lot of emotion was let out much like the game four winner of L.A and Phoenix, but Dallas is a better team than that earlier 3-1 series leader.

This Game was amazing.  The shots kept coming, and the shots kept going down! -Kind of like a Mexican Bar-...This was the exact opposite of the game earlier.  This was pure magic!  Too bad it was the late game.  The Spurs will be hard pressed to win 3 straight, but with Duncan now playing at his old MVP level, and if Ginobili the assassin can stay in the games, the Spurs can of course come back.  The problem is they rely too much on Parker, who has repeatedly shown a propensity to fall apart late in games and in the Playoffs, as well as the fact that the Dallas’ bench is younger and quicker than the Spurs bench.  As long as those guys don’t fall apart, the Mavs should be just fine.  I have to mention Jason Terry and Stackhouse for their outstanding play.  As well as the ex-Mav Finley, who tried his best to not have to wish he was still a Mav after the game.  I hope you saw that game, it was great!  Maybe more in depth on it tomorrow.  I’m out-

Incredible!  Did anyone even want to win that game?  If you missed it, Billups and Lebron air-balled a 3 pointer a-piece in the final two minutes.  Rip missed a tough chippy for the lead with 43 seconds left, and Lebron missed another jumper with 7 seconds to play that would have given the Cavs a three point lead. Lebron also went 1 of 2 at the line with 2 seconds left and I’m not even sure if anyone had a field goal in the last minute!  Donyell Marshall, proved in the second half to be much more effective than Rasheed Wallace (and his mouth and poor shooting) while Eric Snow decided to make Chauncey (even in a few man situations) and the Detroit Team Zone look like Kwame Brown was manning the basket!  A streak also came to an end for Rasheed with four straight wins following one of his “Namethesque” predictions.  But, the streak I am most interested in though, is Detroit’s season long offensive surge that seems to now not be firing on all "cylinders" (sorry). Detroit right now seems to be going in a few too many one on one situations and taking too many long bail out jumpers.  Rip in this game did not run through his typical myriad of screens to get his points.  It was a lot of dribbling and driving which in the end proved to be the Pistons demise…

Now Lebron, while not virtuoso, had just enough firepower within himself and in Donyell Marshall and Eric Snow to lift the Cavs to an interesting victory.  Also Varejao came up huge with his “defense” (charges by big men should be outlawed some how, especially when they run up under…I will digress –sigh-) and ability to get to the rim in position to receive a pass for a lay-up and/or open jumper.

I am very much interested though to see if now as the front runners FOR REAL, if the Pistons get tight, and revert back to 2004 shooting form.  If Big Ben does not become HYPER-active, and controlling all that is within the paint, and Rasheed is doing more talking than playing, the Pistons could be in very deep trouble.  Lebron can make a mockery of any defender and in some ways the Pistons see it, and right now, he is in their heads.  His combination of just plain being-SO BIG, SO STRONG, SO FAST AND SO QUICK is incredible and when honed can be one of the greatest spectacles of sport one day, if not already! 

Chauncey right now has no SWAGGER and I suspect Lebron’s skill and sheer power in this now long series and his now found “killer instinct” are having a lot to do with it!  Rasheed talked, but did not back it up, ankle injury aside, (and if you notice, he hasn’t always had great games when he jaw jacks so much).  Rip and Tayshaun are doing just fine, but like I said, the screens have disappeared and the Pistons need to get back to what made them successful.  They may have been taking the Cavs lightly, but I doubt it now.  The Pistons shroud of invincibility is slipping away at the hands of the Cavs and LJ, let’s get ready now, for pivital game 5, Wednesday at the PALACE!   

With the force of a Bull the attack was back, in the mix in 6 it’s the man named Shaq.

With a less then dominating performance but much closer to vintage Shaq (circa 2001), the heat advance.  Thwarting the sometimes brilliant play of the young Chicago Bulls, who snuck into the playoffs pretty much to begin with. Give much credit to Heinrich and the Bulls for battling so tough, but not really having the -oomph- to take out the talent laden Heat. 

Give much credit to the Heat, for coming together with spirit and professionalism and not making me cry in disgust.  The Bulls were overmatched up front to begin with and Posey and Payton came to play and so did the rest of the bench.  Hopefully Shaq, and D. Wade got together and made sure to reign in their stampeding personalities.  I also am not sure yet, if Pat Riley is really in command like he used to be in the eighties, or if he is adjusting to the new youthful attitudes on the team he encounters and that are prevalent in society.

The Heat can still win the championship, but the supporting cast must come up big on a nightly basis, and much like San Antonio, they are loaded on the bench for the task.  Against New Jersey in this next series, their perimeter defense will again be tested, and Zo must get healthier to anchor and spell Shaq.  They will have the advantage inside again as well, but Shaq definitely cannot be in foul trouble with J-Kidd, RJ and Vince anchoring this perimeter team.

 

 

Lebron is to me the best player in the league or soon to be.  But I'm pretty sure KOBE didn't just have an 81 point game. I'm pretty sure he went over 40 points like 20+ times. (the last two sentences are sarcasm if you didn't get that) Go by the overall stats.  Take into account that Lebron is in the EAST.  Breakdown turnover to assist ratio, turnovers period, and efficiency ratings and you almost would have to say KOBE.  Man for Man look at those rosters and look at the fact as I will repeat, the CAVS are in the EAST, and you will see the light.  Besides that, the MVP might as well be Billups if you use the NASH rationale.

Boys and Girls; our intensity level has peaked!  What the heck is that guy thinking?  The Suns at home, about to put a blow, possibly demoralizing blow to the Lakers and he does what!!???  The Suns will go into the Staples Center shorthanded because of that bone head play.  Kwame is causing controversy, yet still somehow manages to play “good”, (great for him) and the Lake show still lose…-not good-  No bench, yeah no s#*@.  Smush…(I keep tellin’ ya' 80+ games started!!?????, but we love ‘em though) but I will give props to Kwame, but too many fouls and so defensively he could not give nearly enough. Stevie was O.K. not MVP like but the MIP Diaw, WOW,  maybe he is the real MVP along with D’Antoni (sorry Suns/Nash fans). 

Now RAJA may not be able to do his  TYRONE LUE (circa 2001) impersonation on KOBE and the SUNS will continue to get more PHYSICAL, -much like game four and tonight-, the Lakers will have SASHA agitatating and agrivating everyone he gets close to - boys and girls, this is getting pretty exciting along with all the drama of L.A!

But really though;  thanks to the Suns for playing GREAT at home, and for the inspired play to give us an NBA treat!  The sixth game in this hotly contested series at Staples should be a GREAT SHOW!  See ya’ Thursday night.  It's Late, I'm out-

It's funny some of you are so biased and in denial of Kobe's greatness.  Lebron is great, IVERSON is great, Nash is very good, D-Wade was on the cusp of greatness until his untimely injury last year and the poor revamping of his team. Arenas, DIRK, Duncan, ALL very, very good. Billups to me though, is in this weird purgatory of greatness and being really really good...

Question:

Have any of you clowns watched the Mavericks before this year?  Nash was in the playoffs every year. And a "young Kobe" and "middle Shaq" were demoralizing them.  Yes a player’s teammate involvement is an extremely crucial aspect in basketball but especially in basketball, it helps to have that one special guy, who in the largest of moments on the biggest of stages comes through. And it also helps to be the “sidekick” of the biggest guy on the floor, and vice versa-

Forget the playoffs, 0-7 in games decided by 3 or less?  Take into account the BACK to BACKS and teams would have to be caught off guard and lose by 15 to the SUNS during the regular season. DUH!! 

Oh yes, and let's not get out of control, KWAME still sucks and blows point blank shots and Smush was 2-12 in the last game.  Lamar = a very good player.  Shawn Marion = a very good player that seems to struggle in the half court and has “Cliffy Robinson syndrome”…Um see last years playoffs and the 2004 olympics.  Learn to break it down folks! Learn to break it down!

Oh, and if you don’t know what I’m saying with the Cliff Robinson comment, than you are too young, or you haven’t been watching the NBA all of your life (or not nearly enough in my mind).

 

Wow what a night and day.  A loss and a win.  A win and a win.  Two coasts, two huge cities, and two HUGE men.  In life, in basketball, in America and the world.  Once, at the pinnacle of the sports world 3 straight times no less, only to fall at the mighty hand of jealousy and pride.  Only if…

Only if Shaq, had realized that his game was limited.  Only if he could see into the future and realize that it would not carry him far into his golden years, far into the greatest echelon of great players while maintaining a great consistent level of play and longevity in the NBA.  Only if HE, with his infinite quotes and wisdom, realized that without the arsenal and array of shots of an Hakeem,  Kareem, Ewing or a David  Robinson- even a Robert Parish, that it would not allow him to play at anywhere near a “YOUNG Shaq” level near the age and skill level of these great players.  Don’t get me wrong I love Shaq, but the inevitable quick decline has become apparent.  Shaq can still hang on if he wishes, but the team he had last year was a much better fit for a ring.  The team Pat Riley now coaches is and has actually been in disarray for the entire season.  Now, without the true big game vets and a battle tested team that has played and practiced together for a long time (see ’04 Lake show and take into account the injuries for both squads all season) the HEAT are in trouble against a team that barely made the playoffs in the EAST!  Now to many folks, this is a surprise, but this should be no surprise since Shaq has not been able to summon a 35+ point game from within himself at will since maybe sometime in the 2004 season against maybe the likes of a Chris Mihm. Also the moves made by the HEAT were almost Knick like in the past off season, but that is another subject.  Bottom line, their chemistry has been awful all season, I’ve just seen it on the looks of their faces…

 

Now six minutes have passed and I am on to Kobe.  Only if Kobe had not been so hard on Shaq during practices, imploring, begging, chiding and even trying to anger Shaq to be in the greatest shape possible to be at the pinnacle of performance to lead and win a championship from the first tip to end of  the season.  Only if Kobe could have gotten Shaq to listen, to work out even harder so he wouldn’t get little nagging strains and injuries during the season and miss practice and hurt the overall team chemistry.  Only if Kobe wasn’t so intent and driven at being the ultimate and best basketball player ever, and the greatest NBA champion ever.  Only if  he didn’t sometimes anger his teammates but if only to make them better and to accomplish this one team and his yes, his personal overall goals.  Only if sometimes this quality didn’t come across as selfish, and arrogant and ignorant.  Only if so many times the individual talent and heart is so brilliant that it can overshadow the little things that make it all come together, the will, the determination, the willingness to pass (albeit many times more passes can be made) and run the triangle to perfection… Remember when…

An ally-oop to cap off a 15 point comeback in the fourth.  The dagger to kill the Suns like deja-vu 2K6.  The double figure outburst in O.T. to make sure Reggie had…Ha Ha deja-vu and sadly, NO rings (sorry Reg)…

If the Lakers win against the SUNS, it will be through a chemistry with the Lakers that has built throughout the season.  Throughout the missed and fumbled passes by Kwame.  The inexperienced and sometimes downright horrible while somewhat inspiring play of Smush.  The timid and scared ( always 'good'), then sometimes brilliant, then aggressive and then finally down right consistently great play of Odom.  Then the up, then down, and always effort driven play, of the every fourth night great lottery pick we forget Mihm. And lastly, who the heck else was hurt, had heart surgery or no one knew who in the world they were before the season started…or for that matter most people would consider just plain sucked, that were on the Lakers?  Hmmmm…

If the Heat win against the Bulls, it will be because Tyson Chandler is hurt, and Dewayne Wade truly summons the greatness to will his team to victory.  I love Gary, but he should have retired after Chauncey Torched him in ’04.  The Mailman knew to hang it up.  Shaq should still be able to take a little control, but the reason he is not getting the calls he used to is that THE MOVES ARE SLOWER AND IT IS MORE OBVIOUS THAT HE IS CHUCKING PEOPLE IN THE CHOPS AND BLASTING THEM IN THEIR CHESTS!  I have always preached flopping against Shaq to eliminate him.  Not fouling him!  Rodman was the best: 

-Three dunks for Shaq, six flops by Rodman, two or three legit fouls and two flop fouls and bench-time Shaq!

-priceless-

 What is truly sad though, especially if you are a Laker fan, is that Shaq has finally decided to truly defer in deed and WORD to the best basketball player on his team. And when Kobe is going to take over and shine, you would still be saying, wow, what a team…

Only if, only if… 

Six minutes of separation and what a beautiful day and night.  Please, let’s congratulate Shaq, Kobe and their families on the birth of their healthy baby girls because we as NBA fans should love them both!

 

Does it make any sense that the NBA would not want the Poster boy for all that is good in the NBA to make it to the finals. You think the NBA doesn’t want the MVP in the finals?  That makes no sense.  Isn’t that actually a better story than the Lakers.  Please people get into reality; refs make a lot of questionable calls and non-calls.  Kobe should have got the “and 1” on the game tying shot.  That is called a foul all day long in the NBA everyday.   What’s funny is the fact that the shots to win these games have to be made for the victory.  If Horry bricks that shot a few years back against Sacramento then Sacramento has a great story.  If Horry doesn't hit the open trey last year, then we wouldn't even remember Rasheed's bone headed move. 

The great players like Magic, Michael and Larry make the shots and great plays when the opportunity is there.  There is something inside them that allows them to seize that moment in time and make it burn into your memory.  What I also find amazing, is that it seems like it's the same guys who can continue to make us jump wildly into implausible celebrations.  Make us gasp and shake our heads in disbelief. Or just hold our heads in our hands and sob like little babies (in joy or defeat).

So all fans, give the credit to Smush Parker for making an unbelievable miraculous shot, that cancelled out all of the miraculous shots Tim Thomas was making.  Everyone in that game had miracles abound so it’s just how it played out...until one those guys, got his hands on the ball and added another chapter in NBA history...

With their fast paced highflying threes flying act, the Phoenix Suns remind us that -great- NBA basketball is back.  With the stars of the League that shine so bright, there’s the glare from the Suns and it’s quite a site.  It’s mesmerizing, hypnotizing and entrancing, and you know when I watch them, I feel like dancing. 

It is a wonderful sight to watch the Suns play in their high paced, throw caution to the wind system.  -They run, they shoot, they make, you run you shoot you miss; they run they pass they dunk, you run you pass- and you make, then they run right back then pass then shoot.-  Make no mistake the mind behind this Suns resurgence is Mike D’Antoni.  Steve Nash is the perfect fit in this system because of his general style of play.  But let’s also not mistake the fact that any point guard (QB) in this system better average at least 6-8 assists per game.  Nash definitely makes this system work better, but that is it, it works better, but it doesn’t really work…

 

Question:

 

Why were the Mavericks actually a little better last year minus Nash?  Why couldn’t Nash, a grizzled and Scrappy veteran, lead the Suns past San Antonio last year?  They did have the best record, no?

 

Question:

 

How many titles has Shaq won?  How many titles has Shaq won Pre and post his time with the Lakers, and with Phil Jackson and Kobe of course.  How many years in a row has Shaq promised a title?  Since when is it o.k. for a guy to call out his teammates for missing 3 pointers and open jumpers when that guy can’t personally even ATTEMPT an elbow jump shot?

 

Question:

 

Which man’s team didn’t even make the playoffs last year, while this year he was third in scoring averaging  at over 30 ppg.  Went from no playoffs to the fourth seed in the East  ahead of the likes of the second leading scorer in the league whose team couldn’t even make the playoffs?

 

If you noticed, how hard was it not to notice,  that the Lakers with out Shaq there was a significant drop off.  And while in a lot of ways I have always hated Shaq’s game, at the same time I've loved his dominance, personality and power, and I will say he was pretty much the MVP every year up until 2004.  Now he is too inconsistent and is facing the rapid decline I predicted because of his limited overall game, but I digress…

 

If you notice, the Mavericks without Nash were actually a little better in 2005, and have even improved more this year under the magnificent tutelage of Avery Johnson.  I find it interesting that the LEAGUE MVP can leave a team and it gets better.  The Suns unquestionably were a rudderless ship before Nash and D’Antoni got there and turned them into the “catch us if you can” team.  But the fact is, that system pretty much will and should get you 100 + ppg with good players over an 82 game season, and plenty of wins, back to backs included and all.  I equate it to the run and shoot in football, when you shoot 87.4 shots a game, I would hope on 1 out of every 10 shots your point guard gets the assist.  For Steve Nash to get the MVP,  he should be averaging more like 15 assists a game in that system…

 

Bottom line is this, the MVP should be able to take over games single-handedly and win the game for his team on any given night (this also includes the defensive side of the ball).  Not all of the time, but when needed.  This does require failure, but when you find someone who can do it well, and wants to do it, it is great.  Guys I put in this category are Magic Johnson, Dominique, of course MJ, Kobe, Billups, Lebron, Bird, Isaiah Thomas, McGrady, Hakeem, and Kareem are most of the players I have witnessed in my lifetime to be totally legit  MVP’s and have MVP type performances on the biggest stage and come through at the clutchest of moments.  That is what I am talking about.  That must be taken into consideration: what does this guy do when the game is on the line?  Because the guys I mentioned besides Lebron, T-Mac and sadly Nique have done it time and time again, against the highest level of opponent and won the biggest of games on the largest of stages… 

 

The NBA is Fantastic!