Ok, so I'm learning in this basketball blogging thing... If you take a day or so to try to pull together some sort of meaning to a loss, like San Antonio...well, they play again...and you really lose your point... blog post trashed, lesson learned.
We played the Jazz last night, and while we blew them out, it was sort of...well, weird.
There's really no need to talk about numbers, because the Jazz looked like death warmed over. Maybe they were still thinking about visiting the Memorial earlier in the day...that's sort of a buzzkill. But, there were some things to point out:
- Wife & I discussing KD's 23 point double-double shooting over 50% from the floor and 50% from 3 zombie performance: "He's not right..."
"nope"
"wonder what's up?"
"dunno"
- Russ: He shows up and does what it is, that he does...which is the same if we called him right now and said we were playing at 3pm today...he'd be there, ready to pitbull and cheetah his way through the game. I've been working on watching his personal "go all Russell fastbreaks"... Many of them start in traffic, or with a defender ahead of him, and simply wills himself past them, or "Russell's" his way ahead of them for a layup. I'd say "hustle's", but I think it really becomes more teleportation than mere hustle.
- DFish: yeah, he can shoot better this year, he's shown it multiple times already...question is, will he be a pop-up mole like KMart and disappear unexpectedly when we need him? (See Durant's Zombie impersonation and K-Mart)
- Thabo: like the new doo (shout out to the wife, now why she pays soooo much attention to Thabo with a sexy beast sitting next to her...)
- KMart: moving without the ball, good...chemistry with Collison, great (creds to the wife on picking that up months ago). Pre-playoff assignment: do the same damn thing in every game, so we can know what to expect...15-20, or 6. We just need to know...(see DFish)
-Serge: was that your Stephen Biko (might have to look that one up) impersonation? What the hell happened to your eye? and the explanation given on TV was vague and not enough...
- Flagrant foul intermission: Thabo, Russ, and Perk sitting on the scorer's table...nice. There was a hint of "do no evil, see nothing I do as evil, and I'm all evil" in that picture.
- Flagrant foul intermission #2: see next item...
- Scott Brooks lineups: everybody wanted to know, and I mean everybody...where DFish's minutes were going to come from...Reggie, nope...Thabo, nope...KMart, Serge or Perk, nope. Ronnie Brewer and Hash, bingo. Weird that Hash's minutes have leaked away and we've seen this "go-small and awkward" lineup the past few games... but, you gotta play with the engine if you're gonna tune it up. Maybe that's why Hash went all fullback on Hayward...he's pissed at DFish and Brooks.
- Ronnie Brewer: Good grief, I think we need to just put him on suicide watch. He goes from around 15 minutes / per gm to "mop up duty", in a trade that was hailed as OKC getting "another athletic and versatile defender". Again...weird. I'd be pissed, depressed, and playing with sharp objects...it's like the OKC trip was out to pasture. I mean, we could have just brought back Nazr to warm the bench...right? He liked it here and would have been an even cheaper body to run the clock out with... Maybe, as I put it to my wife, both Brooks and Presti hate his guts so much and they brought him here to kill his career...just for revenge (for something...I don't know, anything).
Up next: Orlando Friday night, 7pm at the 'Peake.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Inevitable
So, when does a 5 point lead, or an 8 point lead feel like a 15 point lead? Last night...
Sunday, the Clippers slowly climbed back into the game against the Thunder to eventually take the lead, for a moment. The game had that slipping, tight feel to it, and fortunately enough, the Thunder rose to the occasion.
Last night, however, (watching from the TV stands, mind you) Chesapeake Arena had an interesting feel to it...it wasn't quite the electric playoff atmosphere it has been lately, or escalates to after the All-Star break anticipating the playoffs.
It was, sort of like the crowd was just enjoying, the inevitable.
The Thunder don't like the Lakers, and since being bounced from the playoffs in their first post-season appearance, as the Thunder, they have dominated the series:
Through 2010 Playoffs: Thunder 3 -12 against the Lakers.
Since 2010 Playoffs: Thunder 10 - 5 against the Lakers.
That's why I say "inevitable", I think you truly have a snapshot of the older guard giving way to the new guard in this series. What a stark turn after the Thunder's first playoff appearance.
So, the mood in the arena last night didn't get the chippy feel that I thought could happen, with all the flagrants (MettaWP and Ibaka), technicals, and the fact that the Lakers are on life support for playoffs this year. It was more like the fans sat back and watched a monitored dismantling of the Lakers, and the score didn't seem to bother anyone when it was close.
Don't get me wrong, I was a bit worried when the geriatric duo of Fisher and Nash were out there and Nash was dropping shots in left and right...but, I still felt like we calmy weathered the storm and waited.
Put best by Royce Young from the DailyThunder.com, "Sometimes, it’s how you start and how you finish. The first six minutes tonight, the Lakers didn’t make a single basket. The last six minutes, the Lakers didn’t score a single point."
Start well, finish well, and what happened in between were a couple of silly technicals and Howard and Kobe feeling the bruises of their age.
I could draw more stats, but this win was a nice one, and it never really felt like the Lakers were in it, even when they were.
Other thoughts...
- Reggie: I'm still harping on the antithesis of Fisher's presence bothering Reggie. Reggie has been constantly improving, but with D-Fish on the floor, it's like he's channeling Russell from a couple of years ago...his confidence is just flowing. It's like he watches Russell, and says, "I can blow by everyone just like that"...then he does. He just seems a bit more aggressive of late, and honestly it might be a combination of Fisher's presence, and the fact that Westbrook told him he needs to attack more often. (what else would Russ say?)
- Thabo: Most of Kobe's points, from my naked eye and recollection came when Thabo was on the bench. I think Kobe sees Thabo come on the floor and his inner child starts to cry. Did you notice that after a toughly guarded possession (Thabo was picking him up at almost half court, staying glued to him)...Kobe generally took the next possession off, letting Nash run around and shoot. Thabo had 1 reb, 1 assist, 2 stls, 5 fls and 5 pts...another one of those nice intangible games where he won't get ESPN props, but Kobe's in the trainers office today licking his wounds.
- Serge: The block on Howard's dunk reverberated all the way back to L.A..."Howard will not get us where we need to go". Then just to top it off, Serge went straight back up and said "Dwight, if you don't mind, I'll block this other shot too, because you just weren't that hard"...ouch.
- Perk: At least you drew iron on most of the 5 shots you fired...and you made your freethrows.
- Russell: You missed KD a couple of times, and he let you know about it, but you played friggin awesome.
- KD: Catch and shoot gets you started off...and you need to go back to the Nowitzski school of awkward shooting because the fade-away hasn't been falling of late. Catch and shoot is instinctive, as is a two dribble pull up...maybe Kev's overthinking his post up moves.
- D Fish: 18 Minutes, 75% from the floor (3-4), 100% from 3, 100% from the line...we'll take that.
-Thabeet: 7 Minutes, 3 Offensive rebounds, a nice pick-n-roll dunk, an assist, and 2 good, good fouls...we stole 7 minutes of Beet-walking last night.
- Nick: Your life is more fulfilled when you take a charge.
- K-Mart: I think chickens might be starting to work, you were 3-11 from 3, but at least you made 3. You move so well without the ball, and look comfortable with it in your hands...just shoot your way out of it.
Next up: Knicks on Thursday.
Sunday, the Clippers slowly climbed back into the game against the Thunder to eventually take the lead, for a moment. The game had that slipping, tight feel to it, and fortunately enough, the Thunder rose to the occasion.
Last night, however, (watching from the TV stands, mind you) Chesapeake Arena had an interesting feel to it...it wasn't quite the electric playoff atmosphere it has been lately, or escalates to after the All-Star break anticipating the playoffs.
It was, sort of like the crowd was just enjoying, the inevitable.
The Thunder don't like the Lakers, and since being bounced from the playoffs in their first post-season appearance, as the Thunder, they have dominated the series:
Through 2010 Playoffs: Thunder 3 -12 against the Lakers.
Since 2010 Playoffs: Thunder 10 - 5 against the Lakers.
That's why I say "inevitable", I think you truly have a snapshot of the older guard giving way to the new guard in this series. What a stark turn after the Thunder's first playoff appearance.
So, the mood in the arena last night didn't get the chippy feel that I thought could happen, with all the flagrants (MettaWP and Ibaka), technicals, and the fact that the Lakers are on life support for playoffs this year. It was more like the fans sat back and watched a monitored dismantling of the Lakers, and the score didn't seem to bother anyone when it was close.
Don't get me wrong, I was a bit worried when the geriatric duo of Fisher and Nash were out there and Nash was dropping shots in left and right...but, I still felt like we calmy weathered the storm and waited.
Put best by Royce Young from the DailyThunder.com, "Sometimes, it’s how you start and how you finish. The first six minutes tonight, the Lakers didn’t make a single basket. The last six minutes, the Lakers didn’t score a single point."
Start well, finish well, and what happened in between were a couple of silly technicals and Howard and Kobe feeling the bruises of their age.
I could draw more stats, but this win was a nice one, and it never really felt like the Lakers were in it, even when they were.
Other thoughts...
- Reggie: I'm still harping on the antithesis of Fisher's presence bothering Reggie. Reggie has been constantly improving, but with D-Fish on the floor, it's like he's channeling Russell from a couple of years ago...his confidence is just flowing. It's like he watches Russell, and says, "I can blow by everyone just like that"...then he does. He just seems a bit more aggressive of late, and honestly it might be a combination of Fisher's presence, and the fact that Westbrook told him he needs to attack more often. (what else would Russ say?)
- Thabo: Most of Kobe's points, from my naked eye and recollection came when Thabo was on the bench. I think Kobe sees Thabo come on the floor and his inner child starts to cry. Did you notice that after a toughly guarded possession (Thabo was picking him up at almost half court, staying glued to him)...Kobe generally took the next possession off, letting Nash run around and shoot. Thabo had 1 reb, 1 assist, 2 stls, 5 fls and 5 pts...another one of those nice intangible games where he won't get ESPN props, but Kobe's in the trainers office today licking his wounds.
- Serge: The block on Howard's dunk reverberated all the way back to L.A..."Howard will not get us where we need to go". Then just to top it off, Serge went straight back up and said "Dwight, if you don't mind, I'll block this other shot too, because you just weren't that hard"...ouch.
- Perk: At least you drew iron on most of the 5 shots you fired...and you made your freethrows.
- Russell: You missed KD a couple of times, and he let you know about it, but you played friggin awesome.
- KD: Catch and shoot gets you started off...and you need to go back to the Nowitzski school of awkward shooting because the fade-away hasn't been falling of late. Catch and shoot is instinctive, as is a two dribble pull up...maybe Kev's overthinking his post up moves.
- D Fish: 18 Minutes, 75% from the floor (3-4), 100% from 3, 100% from the line...we'll take that.
-Thabeet: 7 Minutes, 3 Offensive rebounds, a nice pick-n-roll dunk, an assist, and 2 good, good fouls...we stole 7 minutes of Beet-walking last night.
- Nick: Your life is more fulfilled when you take a charge.
- K-Mart: I think chickens might be starting to work, you were 3-11 from 3, but at least you made 3. You move so well without the ball, and look comfortable with it in your hands...just shoot your way out of it.
Next up: Knicks on Thursday.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Subtle
Did you see it? It was subtle.
The Clipper game today, gave us many different Thunder games all in one.
But, there was a tiny difference, and it was subtle...did you catch it? You probably did.
After starting out well, and climbing on top to a 19 point lead in the second half, (The Thunder share the ball, all pistons firing, blowout game), the Clippers decided to climb back into the game, (The Thunder Alternate Jersey game), and then the Thunder clamped down on the defensive end when it really mattered, (The Defense wins Thunder games, game)...and then the closer (The Kevin and Russ show Thunder game), but then there was one more Thunder game...but we'll come back to that.
I agreed with the Flagrant 1 call on Serge. You have to call that. I personally believe he was trying to break the arm extension at Blake's elbow, to free his arm and pin Blake's arm against him in one move...something Perk's very good at. Except, Serge sometimes a) doesn't realize his strength, and b) still has an issue with where his body is in time and space...so Bam - Nut Check. OUCH! A little too far on the extension, and Blake will not forget that for a while. And by forget, I mean, honestly, Blake was beating on everyone that covered him. His awesome block on Nick came as his left hand had a complete fist full of Nick's jersey that he needed to use as leverage to get even higher. I love Blake, but he gets away with that crap...he'll get over Serge's "Take a bow" move.
I didn't agree with the double Technicals called on Butler and Perk. Mainly because Butler's an ass (he's from Missouri you know...and while they've come along way, he was a part of one of the thuggiest teams I can remember from Mizzou). He hasn't changed, what he can't defend he talks at... Did you see him swagger away from the contact after they broke up the scuffle? I told my son, "there's no thug swagger in the NBA". You don't drop those hips and waddle away, he looked a bit cowardly to me. He might have thought he wanted some, but his mind will clear soon enough.
Oh, the OTHER game...I digress.
Tight game, Russ and Kevin show, a few missed jump shots...a timeout for the scuffle and flagrant foul.
Then...
Touches by Russ and Kevin to a pass to Serge in the lane...pump fake, foul, and one.
Touches by Russ, Kevin, K-Mart, Perk, and a dunk by Serge...
We moved the ball around, late in the game, during the Russ and Kevin show...and the Clippers totally wigged out!!
Blake fouled out.
Russ got a steal and a dunk.
Chris Paul fell down.
Then Serge fed Barnes his after game meal right there in the lane...OUCH, this time Serge, you can take the bow.
And suddenly, the game was over...The Thunder got out of a tight, late game rut, moved the ball, and somewhere in San Antonio, Miami, and LA...a shudder went through the NBA force. Tony Parker dropped his drink...LeBron dropped his book...Kobe felt even older all of a sudden...and Pops said a four letter word.
If the Thunder move the ball like that under heavy pressure, in tight game situations...and get the scoring support...the season might have a very different ending.
OTHER THOUGHTS...
- Please play Ronnie Brewer...it gets cold on the bench.
- Perkins can play defense on Blake Griffin like nobody else in the NBA...he kept him at a distance, and out of the lane. Interesting enough, Blake's bull-rush moves just don't work on Perk like they do Nick and Serge...maybe, just maybe that's why we keep Perk. Because he channels Bill Russell on defense.
- So just how long did it take Perk to wind up and dunk that ball in the 3rd quarter...I counted at least to 2, in traffic..."Hey wait guys, I got this [gather, squat, pause, think, jump, dunk]".
- Russell, great game. When I played with other city league wanna-be's I played much like you...so, that means I'm on your case on all the time, because now that I'm old, I see the things I miss. My daily advice to Russ: change nothing...but, when it is you and KD late, up top, and the entire population of many countries knows what you are doing...a quick two step drive right at KD's guy, will get him a wide open 3, or space to drive. You rarely do this, you prefer a 4 step drive and kick. In games where you've split the lane like Moses, two steps towards the lane will draw all the defense, the bench, and the D-league team of our opponents...Kevin takes a step back and away, and he's wide open. 2, not 4, right at him!
- Nick, somebody named Pete Rose Charlie Hustle, but he was a gambler...you own that name, hands down. You beat on people like Perk, but without the anger...which really pisses off the other team.
- K-Mart, I will start sacrificing chickens...keep shooting. Please write down 500 times at home tonight "I am not Daequan"...just trust me...you need it.
Tuesday Night, I might just not sleep until then...just remember Black Mambas come from the Congo. Kobe's on a roll. As are the Lakers. I'd like to see their wheels come off with a blowout, but I'm afraid it might be a little chippy and tight.
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