My Favorite Second Round Series.

 Where to begin. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a blowout. Mr. Bryant played all 12 minutes of the 1st quarter, scoring 15 points on 7-11 shooting (64%). Mr. Gasol added 13 points on 5-5 shooting while playing 11 minutes. They combined for 12 of the Laker's 16 made field goals, which helped build a 39-25 lead after one. I don't know what happened after that.

 The game was tied at the half. L.A. was not playing with the same sense of urgency, and their defense was drastically different during those next 12 minutes. I don't really get what's going on with the Lakers right now... they're a championship caliber team. They made it to the NBA Finals with an injured Bynum and Ariza. After losing in 6 (with Game 6 being an embarrassing loss), you would think that the Lakers would own this postseason the way the Cavs have. In the Lakers' defense, the Cavaliers had to go through the worst team in the playoffs (Detroit) in order to get to the second round. The Jazz would've easily made the Eastern Conference Semifinals against seeds 4-8 in the East. The Rockets would dismantle the Hawks and actually challenge the Cavs. Despite these facts, the Lakers still won 65 games, and have 2 All-Stars in their starting lineup.

 Those 2 All-Stars, Kobe and Pau, are doing everything. And it doesn't make sense. This team has a strong starting lineup, one of the best benches in the league, and arguably the greatest NBA coach of all time. Yes, the Rockets are a physical and veteran team that match up well against the Lakers. Hmm... I'm pretty sure this is the kind of team the Lakers wanted to meet before the Finals. They should be doing a better job in proving that they can play a physical style of basketball for 7 games. If they do win the series, I think it'll help in the long run; The Lakers can use it as proof of their versatility and toughness. However, the Rockets now have homecourt advantage, and will not go down quietly.

 The best thing about Game 2? Now Shane Battier is sure he can't guard Kobe. You just keep putting a hand in his face, Shane. Mr. 81 will still make that shot... He actually spun around you, threw the ball off the glass, and finished over the 7'6" Yao Ming. I almost think calling you out was worth the technical.

 I'm not sure what Ron Artest's ejection means about the rest of this series. Kobe Bryant may go off, now having an immediate goal for this series. At the same time, Artest may come out with the intention of shutting Kobe down, and if he can stop him for a game or two, I'm not sure anyone besides Pau will step up for the Lakers. Then again, Ron Ron may have just relapsed, and this series will mark his transformation back into the crazy, run-into-the-stands Artest. I don't want to see that, honestly. He's made a lot of progress, and I hope he stays composed throughout the rest of the series (even though I'm going for the Lakers).

 Quite the interesting series already. Yay.

P.S. - Von Wafer was sent to the showers by his own coach. While sitting on the bench. I don't even know how that happens.

DE-FENSE.

 Okay, so i've been gone a while. I apologize for that (... I guess I'm apologizing to myself, really). I've missed a lot... irregardless (on my mean girls right now), we must move on.

 Dwight Howard and LeBron James made the All-Defensive 1st Team. Great, makes sense. Kobe being number 2 in 1st team votes? Ridiculous. For one, LBJ was number 2 in DOY voting. And Wade was third, leading all guards. So the "3rd best" defender (Wade) in the L is actually only good enough to make it to the All-Defensive 2nd team? I don't know how that makes sense. D-Wade is the shortest player in NBA history to register at least 100 blocks and 100 steals in a season. Actually, no one under 6'5" has ever had 100 blocks in a season. Wade was the first. HOW DOES THAT NOT PUT YOU ON THE NBA 1ST TEAM? 

 I love Kobe; You knew that already. But he doesn't spend every night guarding the opposing team's best player. Last year, during the finals, Kobe defended Rajon Rondo. Why? So that he could assert himself on the offensive end. In the first round of the '08-'09 Western Conference Playoffs, Kobe guarded Ronnie Brewer. RONNIE BREWER. While he does take it upon himself to guard some of the game's premier players, he has not had to do every game, the way Wade has had to. Kobe Bryant belongs on the 2nd team.

 

 KG missed a 1/3 of the season. Arguably the most important part of the year... And while he's still a great team defender, he's not the same player he used to be. 

 Chris Paul? Led the league in steals... if that means you deserve to be on the 1st team, then okay. Do I agree with it? Actually, I don't really care. I'd only give it to Rondo because he's a better rebounder.

 My 1st Team? Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo (or CP3. Really, who cares?), and... 

 BIRDMAN. Yes, Chris Andersen. I know I'm probably in the minority about this one, but this guy is scary on the defensive end. He not only blocks everything, he's annoying, always hustling, and never gives up on a play. I definitely want Chris Andersen playing defense for my team. He's an energy guy, who knows how to use his body in order to change shots and disrupt the opposing team's offensive flow.

2nd Team: KB24, CP3, TD... Yea, I'm done.

Trey All Day.

 I don't want to talk about Kobe's game high 31. I don't want to talk about Pau's 17 & 11, or Lamar's even more impressive 24-15. I don't want to talk about the Lakers blowing a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter when the game should've been over. I don't want to talk about the questionable non-calls going against the Jazz during their run (shout out to Jerry Sloan). I don't want to talk about the Lakers missing way too many free throws down the stretch which would've effectively iced the game. I don't even want to talk about Ronnie Price, whose pretentious style of play is not only annoying, but unnecessary. I'm lying, I do want to talk about that.

 Ronnie, I hope you somehow find this blog, and immediately label me as a hater. News flash: Your game isn't even overrated, because no one knows who you are (your game is like my blog... unknown & unimportant). There's a difference between playing with confidence, and playing with arrogance. You talk more trash than you play the game, and even when you're right about a call, you let your complaints define you. I'm not saying you should let your opponents walk all over you, but you should let your performance speak for itself. You have the talent, but based on one game (wow, what a great sample size), your character is still suspect.

  I only wanted to talk about Trevor Ariza, and this would've been a lot better if the Lakers hadn't blown such a big lead in a series-clinching game. However, a win is a win, and the Jazz won't get a chance to redeem themselves (aww... too bad). While the Jazz won't play a meaningful game until fall '09, the Lakers need Trevor to continue his strong play in the next round. 

 Ariza came into the L as a slasher, known for his ability to finish around the rim, and not much else. After playing for teams with no championship aspirations, Ariza landed in L.A., but was injured during last year's run to the Finals. This may have been a blessing in disguise, as Ariza began to work on his outside shot, something he never seemed comfortable with in years past. While he became a part of the rotation due to his tenacity on the defensive end, it's his ability to knock down shots that has made him one of the most important players on the Lakers.

 In his first 4 seasons, Trevor Ariza only took 43 three pointers, connecting on 9 of them (21%). In the 2008-2009 season, Trevor went 61-191 (32%) from behind the arc. His confidence is through the roof, and he's hit 11 of 18 (61%) three pointers in 5 postseason games. He is averaging 12-4-4.2, and is not only hitting open shots, but it also playing tough defense. In a recent conversation, a colleague called Ariza a lesser version of Kobe Bryant. While I'm not one for comparisons (especially those involving all-time greats), the similarities are there. Jellybean, Jr. entered the league known for his dunks, but with more playing time and exposure, emerged as a lockdown defender and deadly jump shooter. While Ariza still has a ways to go, he is only 23, and is fortunate to be under the tutelage of the world's most deadliest perimeter player (on both ends of the court).

 If the Lakers meet the Rockets (which seems likely) in the second round, either Shane Battier or Ron Artest will spend a lot of time guarding Trevor. They are both known for their defensive abilities, and are veterans with a lot more experience than Ariza. It'll be important to watch how he comes out and plays against this team. Let's hope he lives up to my hype.

121-63.

 Yet another rout featured on NBAtv. Seriously, they have to devise a way to allow for me to watch all of these games without missing anything. While a close game is definitely more entertaining, I would have loved to have watched this game. It was a make or break game for the Hornets. Game 4, at home. A win would tie up the series, and give NOLA momentum going back to Denver. A loss and the series is basically over.

 I didn't have to watch the game to know the Hornets came out flat in a must-win game. That's pretty much clear when you're outscored 36-15 in the first quarter. CP3 only made 2 of his 7 shots in 32 minutes, to go along with 6 turnovers. He was a non-factor in this game, but you cannot blame this loss on him. He's been playing his heart out this series, and has been asked to do way too much on both ends of the court. This is the problem with the Hornets: When Paul is not able to score or facilitate, the game is over. Your superstar cannot always bail you out, and when he's having a bad game, someone has to step up. Anyone. That's what you get paid to do.

 However, not being able to watch this game has left me wondering: Are the Nuggets really that good, or are the Hornets really that bad? This is not to take anything away from Denver, as this is only the second time in NBA history that a team has lost by 58 points in the playoffs. However, this team did not look quite this impressive during the regular season, and I'm unsure if they can really challenge the Lakers. Yea, I went there. Beating up on a 7th seed doesn't mean much, and the only battle tested players on this team are Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin. Even still, Mr. Big Shot has changed the culture and the character of this team, and is also a former Finals MVP. K-Mart played in back-to-back NBA Finals. We'll see where that experience takes them if they can get through the Mavs in the second round (the Mavs better win that series).

 P.S. - When a player on your team gets two 4 point plays in 11 seconds, you can't lost that game. You just can't. Well, I guess you can. Thanks, Miami.

Another Classic.

 The Bulls and the Celtics just keep doing it. Yet another game went into extra minutes. 10 to be exact. Yes, double overtime.

 UConn seems to breed clutch shooters. Ray Allen & Ben Gordon, anyone?

 Through 4 games, Rajon Rondo is averaging 23.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 10 assists. That, Ladies and gentlemen, is a triple-double.

 D-Rose, you were so close. Just one assist shy... I have a feeling you'll get another opportunity. In this series.

 

 

The Kobe Reads This Blog.

 The Kobe reads this blog, and does not disappoint. I told you, didn't I? Kobe went 16-24 (67%) from the field and made all five of his free throws. No one could guard him, especially not Ronnie Brewer. In Game 3, with Ronnie on him, Kobe only scored 10 points, on 3-16 shooting. In Game 4? Kobe had 25 against Brewer, on 12-14 shooting (one of those misses being an unnecessary shot in the waning seconds of the 4th quarter).

 Once again, you cannot doubt Kobe's killer instinct. Although I missed the first half due to a long-time family friend's birthday party (hey, these things take precedence over the playoffs), what I did see in the second was a "business as usual" Kobe, asserting himself on the offensive end. And this is what makes Lebron different from (and in some ways, inferior to) Mr. Bryant. The Black Mamba didn't do it with a smile on his face, and wasn't on the bench slapping fives and joking around. It's not because Kobe doesn't believe in fun (Captain Blood), it's because he takes this game seriously, and that's why he's been the League's premier player for so many years. This man is a professional, who goes to work and gets it done. He never takes a second off; He is in game mode from opening tip to the final buzzer. That's why he's the game's best closer. And it's also why you can't stop him.

 And go Mavs. Well, don't go Spurs.

Post Script.

 Bill, how could there only be "two acceptable candidates for the question, 'Who was the greatest NBA team of all-time?'" I'm guessing you're going with the '85-'86 Celtics, who had a 67-15 record (NBA all-time best 40-1 at home... good job Cavs), and the '95-'96 Bulls, the team that went 72-10 (#1 all-time) and also posted the best road record in NBA history. What about the '71-'72 Lakers? They set a record with 69 wins and 13 losses (broken by the aforementioned Bulls team), and won 33 straight games. 33. And that streak began the night All-Star Elgin Baylor retired. They're in the discussion, damn it.