How is Joey Crawford refereeing in the NBA playoffs, let alone in the NBA period?  I will go out on a limb, and say it is IMPOSSIBLE for Kobe, while being guarded by Bruce (Edward Scissorhands) Bowen to not shoot one free-throw an entire game!  Along with the blatant no call on the travel of Duncan toward the end of the first half, to the FOUL on THE FLOOR by Derek Fisher at the end of the game, I guess it all evens out?  He (and many other officials) but Crawford most au####iously, makes blatant non calls and seemingly make-up calls during the course of the game.  Laker Fan is obviously happy because of the blatant home cooking that was overcome tonight and which also seemed evident in the Utah Jazz series- at least  in one game (but not as bad as tonight) much like the hacking and hand checking by the Spurs. 

Oberto is terrible, Horry looks way worse than his last days in L.A, Ginobli is a every third or fourth game guy (I mean those 30+ pt games at least...), UM MEMO TO SKIP BAYLESS!!!!!! But with all that said, the Spurs can play at times, and sometimes play very well, but closely watched, they hand check and foul constantly and whine and complain consistently, when they don't get defensive fouls called in their favor, and this is made more annoying many times by the fact they should all be basically fouling out in half of the games...especially our boy Bowen!   

Mister Nash 

Is this the final chapter?

Mister Nash

What have we been after?

I hate to say

The seasons done

No MVP

And no more fun

There's no more Raja

and no more laughter

And the sad thing was

STAT became a non factor

The run and gun

Has died with Shaq

With ole Greg pop

Sendin' guys to hack…

Marions gone,

You were exposed

When the game is slowed

The flaws do show

The assists were gone

And No fastbreaks

Stevie Kerr and D’antoni

Made a big mistake

The owner really,

He has no heart

No luxury taxes?

Now the teams fallin’ apart!

It’s so sad how

We saw Diaw

And Uptempo,

Was your cash cow

And I’d be remiss

If I didn’t mention

The hack a Shaq

And then all that missin’

With Parker’s quicks

And Only 3 assists

Steve kerr is pissed

You are dismissed…

Mister Nash

You’re so gritty

Mister Nash

yes we did see

That Boris diaw

Is sketchy at best

Grant hill’s ole body

Couldn’t stand the test

As Amare got lost,

Inexplicably

The scores did pour

Cuz ya’ll played no D…

Goodbye Suns

Are you really setting?

Farewell to the fun

I mean no regretting

Y’all played so hard

And also had no luck

But you're still millionaires

So who gives a #$%k

But all kidding aside

You kinda did get gypped

And to all the fans

Who still give a rip

Amare’s awesome

I think Barbosa returns

and if D'antoni's gone

maybe the bench will earn,

a little clock

maybe get some blocks

let lil Stevie rest

take a lil time off

And Shaq’s still Shaq

and you got to pay him

hopefully he's healthy

cuz you got to play him

But Mister Nash

I've just got to reason

That you'll be back

with more fire next season...

Let's hope they get it together...I'm out!

Ok, maybe Shaq should just practice and wait for the playoffs.  Make it a total surprise when he starts to play…or maybe, he could come off of the bench?  I don’t know, but a “cake walk” game tonight actually was a debacle.  The final score is not indicative of the game and how the Sixers had control throughout the first half for the most part, lost it toward the end, regained it in the third, and then actually had the Suns down by twelve with 2+ minutes to go.  The refs made some interesting calls down the stretch ultimately on both sides that were suspect, but overall, I am not too sure of what to make of this defeat at home for the Suns.  The 76ers played last night and lost, and the Suns did not play…

The most interesting thought of the night came from Eddie Johnson unwittingly; he said that Grant Hill told him basically, that he would be able to get more fast break points NOW because Marion used to beat him down the floor...Think about it and what the Suns look like at this point.  You can hear it in the voices of the Suns announcers and sideline folk.  I hear the sounds of concern…

Mister Nash- OW! - here we go

We know the beginning of the season is just for show-

Yeah STAT is slowed-

But you should know,

No need to 'trip!' just keep control-

Who quakes who shakes with deep desire?

Who's that? Not quite "STAT" - but still Stoudemire-

Mister Nash what do we see?

That Mister Nash seen on TV?

Are the rest all left in the dust no less?

Is the best yet to come I stress?

...Now the Suns will run and move the crowd,

But who will win the championship now?...

Yes, Mister Nash we questioned thee,

But Mister Nash now we all see

The Scrappiness I must regress

By Far-the best?? I must digress

So many assists I can’t resist-

Clutch three’s - easy cheese- now you can’t miss…

...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 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

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...

First point, Raja Bell does nothing but foul Kobe Bryant. He is a very poor man’s Bruce Bowen. Second, the Suns had an eight point lead in the fourth quarter and I don’t remember the refs playing any defense not getting rebounds or missing any shots for the Suns. My problem is the fact the Suns were tied at halftime 41 to 41.  It’s like when the Pistons (especially the previous two years) had an opponent let’s say like Miami last year at 40 points or less in the first half, then you could almost be positive that the game was going to be a Detroit victory. Conversely, if the half time score was in the 50’s or 60’s, you could almost bet Detroit would lose. This year is a little different of course for Detroit but the same reality goes in reverse for the Suns. 41 to 41 at halftime equals trouble. The Lakers actually played probably their worst game of the series. All Phoenix has to do to win this last game is to capitalize and hit really just one more shot. NOT even get to the point where Smush Parker even has a chance to demoralize the MVP. And yes, Nash is classy and didn’t blame the refs overtly for the loss, I’m sure he was thinking more about the three threes in a row that he bricked. Those were the crucial shots of the game. While on the flip side you have Devean George who actually makes the hugest plays of the game to keep the Lakers within striking distance by his 3 fourth quarter treys. I actually told the people I was watching the game with at the end of the third that someone off the bench had to do something. The last name I said was George. He had done basically nothing for 3 games so he was due. Give Tim Thomas a TON of credit as well and Diaw. Marion did get some ticky tack fouls and was playing great so I will say that was a huge factor. But Lamar put the onus on the refs and took it too Shawn, especially in the fourth, and lest we forget that Kobe was saddled with 3 fouls and played less than a minute in the second quarter. Raja is a likable player, but he is consistently doing his best Bruce Bowen impersonation of holding, grabbing and flopping but not quite as effectively. Also, has anyone noticed the fact that Kobe took only one three pointer in the game? He hasn’t shot what has become one of his trademark threes from 4 feet behind the line all series. There were a couple of times late, where he thought about it, stayed patient, and drove or passed and ran the offense. Unbelievable. At one point you are actually wanting him to take one of those threes! But Kobe stuck to the game plan and a miracle was born.

Yes Phoenix, the SUN will shine again and the SUNS should be back strong with Amare. So don’t worry about your undermanned MVP led team, that is getting beaten right now by an undermanned 3 time champion's team.

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!

When you break it down to efficiency ratings Lebron is a smidgen above Kobe, but I give Kobe the edge because #1. He plays in the west. The 4 teams below the Cavs in the playoffs all have poorer records than the Lakers. #2. In the EAST with the talent around Lebron with the likes of a Donyell Marshall, Z, Gooden, a solid veteran Snow, Damon Jones and almost as a throw in Larry Hughes, you would have to give him the overall team talent edge..soooo, that really leaves me with Billups. Think about what he really means to that team and use the rational they used for Nash last year i.e. best record etc. and Billups is the Logical choice...Yeah right. It's Kobe or Lebron. But give Kobe the edge, you do realize he is playing with FREAKING KWAME BROWN and FREAKING SMUSH PARKER!!!! Who now both have some actual cred and at least some respect playing with KOBE and of course being tutored by the great "Zen Master"! Note: Kwame and Smush right now you have our respect...try to keep it-

Take it to the hole Big Man take it to the hole!

-The Great Bill Walton

Words for every man to live by- 

readers: check out some of my other nonsense if you like.

1. NASH PLAYS TERRIBLE DEFENSE. 2. NASH DOESN"T EVEN ENTER IN THE DISCUSSION OF WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LAST SHOT IN A GAME... BILLUPS TORCHED HIM TRHEE WEEKS AGO ON ABC. PEOPLE NEED TO  WATCH ALL OF THE GAMES POSSIBLE AND NOT JUST HIGHLIGHTS AND STATS.  THINK OF IT THIS WAY, IN A RUN IN SHOOT OFFENSE YOUR QB BETTER BE THROWING FOR 300+  YARDS EVERY GAME.  NASH RUNS A TEAM THAT IS BASICALLY THAT.  THE TEAM SHOOTS THE MOST.  DUH? I WONDER WHY HE LEADS THE LEAGUE BY LIKE 2 ASSISTS A GAME. WOW. THAT'S LIKE SAYING KOBE NEVER PASSES BUT AVERAGES 4.5 ASSISTS A GAME. LEBRON 2 MORE. FACE IT, NASH IS A VERY GOOD PLAYER ON AN OFFENSIVELY WIDE OPEN TEAM, BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE HIM THE MVP. UP UNTIL A YEAR AGO, HE WAS NEVER, LET ME REPEAT, NEVER EVEN BROUGHT INTO THIS DISCUSSION. NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HE IS MORE VALUBLE THAN LEBRON OR KOBE????!!!!!! IF ANYTHING, THE SYSTEM HE PLAYS IN IS THE MVP AND NASH IS A GREAT PAWN. WE SHOULD GIVE D'ANTONI HIS PROPS FOR GIVING US A PAPER CHAMPION TWO YEARS IN A ROW. OH YEAH, WHAT ABOUT THAT 0-7 RECORD IN GAMES OF 3 PTS. OR LESS? THAT SAYS MORE ABOUT IT THAN ANYTHING.

MSP-MOST SCRAPPY PLAYER