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2008 HOF: Ewing vs. Olajuwon, Pat Riley vs. 90′s Knicks, and Dick Vitale vs. Himself

Sep 8

Posted by kit in 1992 Olympics, basketball, Basketball Rumors, Charles Oakley, college hoops, Dick Vitale, Dickie V, Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN College Basketball Coverage, ESPN Radio, Final Four, Hakeem Alajawon, Hakeem Olajuwon, Hakim Olajuwon, John Starks, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Miami Heat, Modern Era Basketball, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA History, NBA stats, NBA Stats Patrick Ewing, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, NBA Trade Rumors, New York Knicks, New York Knicks 90's, Olympic Basketball, Olympic Mens Basketball, Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, Playoffs, Postseason, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, US Mens Basketball Team, USA Basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

This year’s induction ceremony into the basketball hall of fame included the biggest names in basketball in the modern era. The class included two of the greatest big men of all time in Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, along with Ewing’s coach, Pat Riley.

Ewing vs. Olajuwon

Surprisingly in their career they were never really compared, probably because one was in the East and the other in the west, but let’s be one of the first to do so. Who’s career was better? Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points a game during his 18 seasons in the NBA compared to Ewing’s 17 points a game during his 17 seasons. All though Ewing was revered as more talented, looking at Olajuwon’s career as a whole shows that he was in fact a better player. Olajuwon holds the NBA record for blocked shots with 3840(amazing number), and most importantly has two NBA titles under his belt. Ewing has 0.

Not the best, but darn near close

Pat Riley and his 5 rings were inducted into the hall of fame this weekend along with Hakeem and Patrick. Riley ranks 3rd all-time in wins and led both the Lakers and Heat to NBA titles. His one blemish on his record was his inability to win a championship with the aforementioned Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley, and company. If he picked up a title or two then who knows where he would’ve ranked. Either way his coaching style has emanated throughout the NBA and he has set a style that coaches decades from now will knowingly or even unknowingly replicate.

Does Dickie V deserve to be in this class?

You betcha baby!! Sorry, had to do it. It is true though, Dick Vitale does deserve to be in the hall of fame as his, ahem, unique style brought him fame, fortune, and ultimately respect. He is the voice of college basketball and you can’t make it big in college hoops without your name being yelled out on ESPN followed by an emphatic ‘baby!!’

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Deron Williams’ Buzzer Beater Launches USA Past Australia

Aug 20

Posted by kit in 1992 Olympics, 2008 Olympics Beijing, 2008 Olympics China, 2008 Olympics Kobe Bryant, 2008 Olympics LeBron James, 2008 USA Basketball Team, Australia Basketball Olympics, Australia Men's Basketball, basketball, Basketball Rumors, Carmello Anthony, Carmello Anthony 2008 Olympics, Carmello Anthony Olympics, Chris Bosh, Chris Bosh Olympics, Defense US Mens Basketball, Deron Williams, Deron Williams Olympic Buzzer Beater, Deron Williams Olympics, Dwayne Wade Olympics, Kobe, Kobe Bryant, Kobe MVP, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Krzyzewski, NBA, NCAA, Olympic Basketball, Olympic Mens Basketball, Playoffs, Postseason, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, US Mens Basketball Team, USA Basketball, USA Basketball Olympics Rumors, USA Basketball Rumors | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

For 19 minutes and 59 seconds in the first half, Australia’s game plan was perfect. Nearly everything went like it was drawn up. But a demoralizing buzzer beater from Deron Williams ended that perfect gameplan and launched the US to a 116-85 win.

The plan was simple for Australia. Defend the paint, make open shots, hope that the US shoot poorly from the line and from behind the arc. Australia stayed back, defended the paint well, allowed the US to shoot and it seemed like it was working. They made a couple of big threes and nailed open shots. The US shot horribly from the line in the first half, and the threes just didn’t seem to be falling. Things looked positive for the Australian side that were rumored to be capable of upsetting the dominant US. So, with all this going Australia’s way, how did they lose?

How did Australia lose, or better yet how did the US win? Offensive rebounding. In the first half the US had more offensive rebounds,13, than Australia had for a total,12. When playing a team that includes Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Carmello Anthony, the last thing you want to do is give them second chances. Kobe and company cleaned up the boards, picking up second and even third chances that kept them ahead in the first half.

In a game like this, Australia just wanted to keep their head above water. And, towards the end of the 2nd quarter it seemed like the Aussies were doing so. They were until Deron Williams pushed their heads underneath the water with a buzzer beating 3 pointer at the end of the 1st half. With the US holding on to a 9 point lead, a lead that they didn’t deserve with the way they were shooting from the line, Williams put all that Australia upset talk to rest. Williams broke free with the clock running out and tossed up a three with the clock running out. He drained it and drained whatever hopes Australia had in beating the USA.

The buzzer beater by Williams catapulted the US to a 17-0 run in which they scored 14 straight to start the 3rd quarter. What at one point was a managable 9 point deficit with seconds left in the first half had turned into a 26 point deficit before the Aussies could get warmed up for the second half.

This win puts the US one step closer to the top level of the podium, which now seems inevitable. Redemption is imminent for this US squad and their no nonsense aproach instilled by coach Mike Krzyzewski is the main reason.

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It’s Been 8 Years, and I Want a Gold Medal

Jul 23

Posted by LoveBasketball in 1992 Olympics, 2008 NBA Playoffs, 2008 Olympics Beijing, 2008 Olympics China, 2008 Olympics Kobe Bryant, 2008 Olympics LeBron James, 2008 USA Basketball Team, basketball, Carmello Anthony, Carmello Anthony Olympics, Celtics Finals, ESPN Radio, Game 7, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers Finals, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan Dream Team, Michael Jordan Gold Medal, Mike and Mike Radio Show, Mike Golic, Mike Krzyzewski, MVP 2008 Finals, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA History, Playoffs, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, USA Basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Mike Krzyzewski said it best about developing an Olympic Basketball team…

We’re not ‘selecting a team’, you select people and hope they become a team.

Mike Krzyzewski on the USA Olympic Team

This year, I think everything is falling in place. It seems like there is a completely different demeanor on this Olympic team. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have taken the leadership roles and they have enstilled in this team, and many basketball fans (me being one of them), that USA basketball is going to be on the top podium come Beijing.

LeBron James and Carmello Anthony

LeBron James and Carmello Anthony

An article in Sports Illustrated gave an excellent title to their article on this USA Olympic team that fits so well. “The Redeem Team.” It’s so true. They need to redeem themselves after the pathetic, unenthusiastic basketball they have played in the past decade. Sure Jordan and Magic left huge shoes to fill with the Dream Team, but if players like Carmello Anthony, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant can’t fit in those shoes, I don’t know who will.

This team is the closest to the Dream Team that dominated the 1992 Olympics and they cannot take this for granted. In an interview on the MIke and Mike show on ESPN Radio, Mike Golic asked Kobe Bryant where a Gold Medal from the Olympics would sit on the proverbial trophy case. Bryant said it would sit on top, above the NBA Finals trophy which shows just how important this medal is to him (plus, that trophy case was expecting a Finals MVP this season…). Bryant said there is nothing more rewarding than playing for your country and I hope the rest of this team feels the same way.

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Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley? My 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Jun 24

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Amare Stoudemire, Arizona, Atlanta Hawks, basketball, Boston Celtics, Brook Lopez, Celtics Finals, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Cleveland, college hoops, Danilo Gallinari, Derrick Rose, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose first Pick, Derrick Rose Miami Heat, Doug Collins Bulls, Duke, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddy Curry, Elton Brand, Final Four, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Jason Richardson, Jerryd Bayless, Jerryd Bayless NBA Draft, Joe Alexander, Kansas, Kansas State, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Larry Brown, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, March Madness, Mario Chalmers, Memphis, Miami Heat, Miami Heat NBA Draft 08, Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley First Pick, Michael Jordan, Mike D'Antoni, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Mock Draft 08, NCAA, New York Knicks, O. J. Mayo, OJ Mayo Problems, Patrick Ewing, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Phoenix Suns, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, Russell Westbrook, Shawn Marion, Southern Cal, Steve Nash, Toronto Raptors, UCLA, USC | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

With a 1.7% chance of winning the first selection, the Bulls won the first pick in one of the most talented drafts in a while. The discussion has been, should they take Derrick Rose who is the better player, or Michael Beasley who is the better fit? Rose is destined to be a star while Beasley has all the tools to become as dominant as say Amare Stoudemire. But, which college standout will they choose? Let’s see.

1. CHICAGO BULLS- MICHAEL BEASLEY- Between the better player and the better fit, you have to go with the better fit if you’re the Bulls. The Bulls were lucky enough to get the first pick and they already have a playoff team if not for the mess of a season they had last year. They are short on big men and have been for a while. Beasley will complete this team making the Bulls a legit threat in the East.

2. MIAMI HEAT- DERRICK ROSE- Now there’s no way two teams are going to pass a player this talented up in a row. The Heat will gladly take Derrick Rose in the second pick which will, like the bulls, complete a playoff team. With Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marrion already on the team, one more all-star won’t hurt. If Wade can stay healthy, Rose will work well with him and possibly create a great one-two punch that teams will find hard to deal with. A great pick up for the Heat and I expect a rivalry to develop between the Heat and the Bulls with their picks. This debate of who should go first in the draft will live on throughout both Beasley and Rose’s careers.

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES- O.J. MAYO- With all the controversy surrounding O.J. Mayo he was destined to fall further down in the draft but it looks as if the Timberwolves have their man. Mayo is truly talented at 6’5 and has the figure to go inside and shoot the outside shot. The only worry about Mayo is his off-court problems that could hurt the way he plays on the court. Let’s just hope we get to see this kid play basketball without any distractions.

4. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS- JERRYD BAYLESS- To compliment the sensational play of Kevin Durant, expect the Sonics to choose Jerryd Bayless at point guard. Coming from Arizona he should turn out to be a solid NBA player and playing along side Durant won’t hurt a bit. Durant showed last year that he can put up over 20 points a game with no one around him, so expect his numbers to rise significantly along side Bayless.

5. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES- KEVIN LOVE- After trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers last season, the Grizzlies are down on athletic size. Kevin Love fills that void extremely well. He is capable of wearing down defenses and creating an atmosphere that Memphis will love (pun definitely intended). The sad thing though is that the rest of the Grizzlies are not good enough to make him any better. Give Love a couple of seasons before his talent begins to show, either that or another team.

6. NEW YORK KNICKS- BROOK LOPEZ- Oh, the New York Knicks. They have the highest payroll, one of the best coaches in Mike D’Antoni, and the sixth pick in the draft. How could they possibly mess up next season? I’m not sure how they’ll do it this season but a way to prevent it is drafting a big man in Brook Lopez who can actually do something with the basketball other than cry. He is a little undersized at center (7’0 245 lbs.) which could create a problem for the Knicks. But, they’ve needed a big man ever since Patrick Ewing left and maybe Lopez could develop into a player of half of Ewing’s talent and get this team back in the playoffs.

7. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS- RUSSELL WESTBROOK- The Clippers will hopefully have a 100% healthy Elton Brand next season which leaves them wondering, who else do we have? No body really, in order to compete in the West. Russel Westbrook can pass and score and has the tools that NBA teams want. There is a desire in the league now to have a point guard who can score and pass (Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash just to name a few), and Westbrook is what the Clippers need in order to keep up with the competetive West. Either that or they can try and move to the Eastern Conference, where they would probably be a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs.

8. MILWAUKEE BUCKS- JOE ALEXANDER- You haven’t heard much from the Milwaukee Bucks in the past decade and I don’t think you’ll hear more in the the next. Joe Alexander fills a void in the small forward position but even in the East the Bucks don’t have enough talent to make it. Alexander is a solid player who may find himself lost in this league on the Bucks. Only players with extraordinary talent like Ray Allen can make a name for themselves on the Bucks, and even Allen had to leave in order to be truly appreciated by the rest of the league.

9. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS- ERIC GORDON- I see a lot of upside in these Bobcats. Since forming in 2004 the Bobcats have slowly evolved into a fairly good team. They have significant talent in Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, and Jason Richardson. Not only that they are now being coached by one of the greatest coaches in recent years in Larry Brown. If the Bobcats can steal Eric Gordon at number nine, the Bobcats have even more to work with.

10. NEW JERSEY NETS- DANILO GALLINARI- After a disapointing season which included the departure of one of the franchise’s best players Jason Kidd, the Nets have some rebuilding to do. They have a banged up Richard Jefferson, who at times looks like one of the best players in the league, but cannot overcome the injury bug. Vince Carter should be one of the league’s elite, but fails to match the potential he showed in his Toronto Raptor years. Danilo Gallinari will be the first pick from overseas, coming from Italy, and will be expected to come off the bench for Jefferson, and soon replace Jefferson. He is one of the best players in Italy and could possibly translate to the NBA. In a couple of years this could be considered the steal of the draft. Personally though, I think the Nets will need to make a significant trade that will get rid of Jefferson and bring in one or two brand name players in order to fix this once dominant franchise.

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Celtics Embarrass Lakers as Garnett Embarrasses Himself

Jun 19

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, basketball, Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, Celtics 24 Point Comeback, Celtics Bench Finals 08, Celtics Finals, Cleveland, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Finals 08 MVP, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Jeff Van Gundy Playoffs 08, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Knicks Problems, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers 4th Quarter Comeback NBA Finals 08, Lakers Bench Finals 08, Lakers Finals, Lamar Odom, Leon Powe, Leon Powe 08 Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Michael Jordan, MVP 2008 Finals, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, New York Knicks, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce Defense, Paul Pierce MVP 2008 Finals, Paul Pierce MVP NBA Finals, Paul Pierce NBA Finals MVP 2008, Phil Jackson, Phil Jackson Game 4 NBA Finals 08, Pierce 41 Point Game, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sasha Vujacic Finals 08 | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Levels of Defeat in NBA

0-5 Point Loss- Respectable

5-15 Point Loss- Disappointing

15-25 Point Loss- Bad to Awful

25-35 Point Loss- Horrible, New York Knicks Territory

35+ Point Loss- Disgraceful, Team Should Disband and Begin New Careers

The Lakers lossed by 39 points last night in a deciding game in the NBA Finals which means Kobe should be announcing on TNT next season.

How a team can play as poorly as the Lakers did last night is beyond me. The Celtics defense was impenetrable and their offense ran as smoothly and as efficiently as possible and the Los Angeles Kobes, excuse me, Lakers could do absolutely nothing about it. This was by far the most convincing win in NBA Finals history.

As I said in my last post(Pierce May Be Too Strong For A Laker Comeback) Pierce and the Celtics would be too much for the Lakers to handle. No where in that post did I predict a victory of this magnitude though. Every single Laker all the way to upper management should be thoroughly embarrassed. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and the almighty Kobe Bryant sucked. Plain and simple.

It wasn’t the Lakers sucking that lost them this series, but more the Celtics playing their best basketball at the right time. Seeing them go 7 games with the 8th seeded Atlanta Hawks gave me reason to believe they would never make it out of the East. But they persevered and got better as the playoffs went along. I routed for the Lakers this entire playoffs and routed against the Celtics this entire playoffs. Still, I can say that the team that won the title was the best team every night on the floor in this series. The Lakers should be ashamed that they were beaten this badly. Coming into this series they were the better team by far and leaving the series they look as if they shouldn’t have been in the playoffs. Every Laker performance was pathetic.

This beating was highlighted by the great play of the Celtic’s big three. Throughout the year I tried to play down the significance of this three playing together. But now I realize that when they play together, anything is possible (foreshadowing, pay attention). Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals record with 7 three pointers last night. Kevin Garnett fueled the team and ended whatever small hope the Lakers had with his circus shot. A shot in which he stayed in the air for what seemed like an hour, gets fouled and banked the ball off the backboard right before he hits the ground. As soon as he made that shot I knew the Celtics had the championship. No one can come back from a demoralizing shot like that.

And what else can you say about Paul Pierce? He stepped up his defense throughout the entire playoffs and made the best offensive player in the world look like Chris Dudley. He showed the world that Pierce not Kobe is more deserving of Jordan comparisons (but, still don’t even bother comparing him to Jordan, no one will be as good as Michael).

Coming into this series I was all gung-ho on Kobe and the Lakers winning the championship. I was convinced that it was his time to prove that he could be mentioned along with Jordan. I now want to take a moment to publicly apologize to Michael Jordan…Dear Michael, you’re the best and no one, and I mean no one comes close to you. Now, having that said I despise Kobe for what he did in this Finals. He won my heart this season and then broke it in the Finals (Sad, huh?). And I never, ever, no matter what Kobe does for the rest of his career want to hear the words Kobe Bryant in the same sentence as the one Michael Jordan. Jordan would never let his team lose in an NBA Finals, the biggest stage in the world for basketball. Never would you see Michael Jordan on the bench in a deciding game in the NBA Finals with his team down by 40. Never. If anybody even thinks about bringing this argument up again of Kobe being as good as Jordan, all of his or her comments about the sport of basketball should be considered void from thereafter.

Finally I would like to say a little something about Kevin Garnett…I hate him. Throughout this season he has changed my view of him completely. What sealed it was his odd, moronic, disrespectful celebration when he was interviewed after the game. When asked about how he felt, he began weeping like a baby, then filled the air with expletives and began screaming, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!” at the top of his lungs like a fool(see the foreshadowing from earlier, pretty clever). All I can say thank God for the delay that the ABC network used so that they could prevent his f-bombs from reaching air. Does he not realize that he is idolized by thousands of kids who are watching? Does he have no respect whatsoever? The best part about it was how after he filled the Garden with f-bombs he goes over and shakes Bill Russell’s hand. Russell is one of the most honorable men in basketball who you tried to mirror yourself after throughout the season and you behave like that? You’ll never be one tenth of what Russell was and still is and you don’t even deserve a ring. Honestly, who’s over 7 feet tall and shoots mid-range jumpers all day? Call me bitter but this guy is a disgrace. But, congratulations to Paul Pierce and the rest of the Celtics who actually deserve this. This was the best turn around in sports history and Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, and company should be proud. As Garnett would say, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!” Idiot.

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Pierce May Be Too Strong For A Laker Comeback

Jun 17

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, Celtics 24 Point Comeback, Celtics Bench Finals 08, Celtics Finals, Detroit Pistons, Finals 08 MVP, Garnett Bryant matchup, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers 4th Quarter Comeback NBA Finals 08, Lakers Bench Finals 08, Lakers Finals, Lamar Odom, Leon Powe, Leon Powe 08 Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce Defense, Paul Pierce MVP NBA Finals, Phil Jackson, Phil Jackson Game 4 NBA Finals 08, Pierce 41 Point Game, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

By Sean Connolly

Paul Pierce looked absolutely unstoppable Sunday night in his team’s loss to the Lakers, so much so that he may have already sealed the fate of Los Angeles. If it wasn’t for his team’s poor 1st quarter performance along with the outrageous amount of foul calls by Dick Bavetta and his crew, Pierce and the Celtics would be celebrating their first championship in 22 years. And without a doubt, Paul Pierce would be the MVP of the NBA Finals.

After the Celtics’ 24 point comeback on Thursday, I began wondering who would be MVP of the Finals for the Celtics. There really was no clear cut winner due to the Celtics’ fantastic all-around team play. Garnett had played alright, Ray Allen has played very well(especially compared to the series against the Pistons), and Paul Pierce has had a solid showing like usual. There were also a couple of long shots in James Posey and Leon Powe if they had another break out game, but overall no real no-doubt choice. But after watching Pierce dominate the Lakers single handedly, Pierce will be that no-doubt choice if the Celtics can prevent a Laker comeback.

It looked as if Pierce was driving against children in Game 5. In a stretch in the 2nd quarter, Pierce scored 11 straight points. Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, and even the almighty Kobe Bryant at times could not handle the strength of Paul Pierce driving to the basket. It just looked way too easy for the Celtic guard. Even after he broke down the Laker backcourt, not even the stronger Lamar Odom or Pau Gasol could step up and stop Pierce. It seemed as if every drive by Pierce took on 4 Lakers, and he easily finished every time.

All the hype coming into the series was Kobe taking the torch and becoming Jordan. Kobe hasn’t lived up to the hype, and the only one plaKying Jordanesque is Paul Pierce. Throughout this series, you haven’t seen Kobe drive, dominate the key, and get to the free throw line anything like Pierce.

If Pierce has a game half as dominating as game 5 and the Celtics decide to play before they’re down by double digits, Kobe and the Lakers simply don’t stand a chance. Pierce will be in Celtic lure along with Larry Bird and even Bill Russel for bringing the Celtics back to glory. But hey, I’ve been talking about Kobe all playoffs and I’ll never doubt what Kobe is capable of, so Pierce needs to take care of business tonight because it’s not over ’till the ring’s on the finger.

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Stop the Jordan Comparisons, Kobe Is Not Michael

Jun 14

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Boston Celtics, Celtics 24 Point Comeback, Celtics Bench Finals 08, Celtics Finals, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Jeff Van Gundy, Jeff Van Gundy ABC NBA Playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy Announcer, Jeff Van Gundy NBA Finals, Jeff Van Gundy Playoffs 08, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers 4th Quarter Comeback NBA Finals 08, Lakers Bench Finals 08, Lakers Finals, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce Defense, Phil Jackson, Phil Jackson Game 4 NBA Finals 08, Playoffs, Postseason, Sasha Vujacic Finals 08 | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Never has Jordan disappointed any of his fans in a Finals game like Kobe did last night. With five minutes to go in the fourth quarter after the Lakers squandered a 24 point lead, the game was tied. The Lakers were shooting just awful, and the game was just begging to be taken over by Kobe. He did not takeover. The Lakers ended up losing in what will go down as the biggest collapse in NBA history.

Everyone calls Kobe Bryant the best “closer” in the game. That superlative deemed untrue last night when Kobe failed to take his team under his wing in the biggest game of his life. Throughout the entire game Kobe was no where to be seen, but players such as Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol were stepping up enough to give the Lakers a 24 point lead. At halftime the Lakers had an 18 point lead and looked to have the game easily in hand. The scariest part was that Kobe hadn’t gotten going yet. He never did either.

Kobe just straight up didn’t play up to his potential. In no way should a player of his status allow his team to give up such a substantial lead in a game of this magnitude. It’s shocking really how he never took over this game. I’ve always seen parrallels in both Jordan and Kobe. The way the shoot, the way they drive, and their desire to take over a game late when their team needs them the most. But after last night’s performance I have to say he is no where near Jordan’s level. This just makes me think that there will never be another player like Jordan, and it’s really disheartening.

Sure Kobe is the scapegoat for this loss. And people can cry and moan that the team around him didn’t help, but whenever Kobe has a great game, no body talks about his teammates then. It’s just Kobe this and Kobe that, so he gets it both ways. But who really has kind of flown under the radar for this loss is Phil Jackson. Now I’ve heard Jeff Van Gundy announcing the game and forever praising how Phil Jackson takes time outs at the perfect time to stop momentum. When ever Van Gundy would say this I always agreed and was shocked at how correct he is. But yesterday, Jackson just wasn’t the coach he used to be. How do you allow the Celtics to come back into the game like that? He took timeouts at the right time but it seemed as if nothing was being done in the timeout to change the forecast of the game and I think Jackson should receive as much or even more blame then Kobe for this loss. Laker fans, Kobe Bryant fans, and NBA fans deserve better and now we might not get to see an epic game 7 that everyone was praying for.

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Too Little Too Late For Struggling Lakers and It’s Kobe’s Fault

Jun 9

Posted by kit in Boston Celtics, Celtics Bench Finals 08, Celtics Finals, Doc Rivers, Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers 4th Quarter Comeback NBA Finals 08, Lakers Bench Finals 08, Lakers Finals, Lamar Odom, Leon Powe, Leon Powe 08 Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce Defense, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, Sasha Vujacic Finals 08 | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Kobe says he can take over a game whenever he wants. So why would he wait until his team is down 24 points in the fourth quarter. Kobe and the Lakers nearly mounted the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history but came up short tonight and for the second game in a row, Kobe is to blame.

Throughout this entire game the Celtics had the heart, determination, and sure fire offense that compiles a championship team. An unlikely hero in Leon Powe who put up an astonishing 21 points in just under 15 minutes. Powe looked unstoppable as he dunked his Celtics to what looked like a blowout early in the fourth quarter. I have to say, Powe looks like a huge X-Factor coming off the bench for these Celtics who already have the best threesome in basketball in Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. If Powe could just stay out of foul trouble(he had 4 tonight in his 15 minutes) he is going to be a huge help in this 08 Finals for the Celtics.

Powe was just one of the players for the Celtics who came off the bench to solidify a Celtic win. Both P.J. Brown and James Posey put in quality minutes for the Celtics who are now up 2-0 on the Lakers. Coming into the finals, the Lakers bench was considered its most crucial facet. The Lakers’ bench was outscored by the Celtics’ bench 35-23. The Celtics’ bench also played extremely smart. No one coming off the bench for them turned the ball over and shot 68.7% from the field. Not only has getting to the line affected Kobe and the Lakers’ starting lineup but the trend has gotten to the bench as well. No one had a free throw from the Lakers bench while the Celtics bench piled up 15 free throw attempts, more than the entire Lakers team with 10.

If you’re a Lakers fan you can blame the bench for not putting up numbers or poor defense from Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, but the blame in games like these will always rest on Kobe’s shoulders. It’s a little unfair but it’s true. Kobe waited too long and took too many outside shots early in the game and allowed the Celtics to run away with the game. He got into foul trouble early, leaving him on the bench where he becomes absolutely useless. He turned into the Kobe of the past couple years in the 3rd and 4th quarter, forcing shots and trying to make the superstar play. Whenever there was a scoring run by the Lakers, it was fueled by excellent passing and smart decisions by Kobe. But he quickly got away from that when the Celtics countered with a run of their own causing the Lakers to fall in too deep of a hole.

If Kobe completed the fourth quarter comeback, in which the Lakers were down 24 and brought in down to two, I probably would be singing Kobe’s praises and I would have forgotten all the mistakes he and the Lakers made. But they didn’t come back.

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Sorry Garnett, This One Is Kobe’s

Jun 1

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, basketball, Boston Celtics, Celtics Finals, Detroit, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Kobe, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Manu Ginobili, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, Paul Pierce Defense, Pistons, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Uncategorized | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

It’s the series the NBA has been waiting for. Lakers, Celtics. What more could you want? This series though won’t even be competitive, because it will belong to the best player since Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and there’s nothing Garnett can do but scream, yell, and hit his head on the hoop like he always does.

This series is a match made in basketball heaven. You’ve got the best player in the game playing on a team with a bunch of average to above average players in Kobe and the Lakers. You’ve got the most talented threesome in recent years in Pierce, Allen, and Garnett in the Celtics. So, the series should be great, right? I’m afraid not. The Celtics don’t stand a chance against Kobe. Although Pierce’s defense has improved considerably, he will be no match for Bryant.

Watching Kobe in the series between the Lakers and Spurs showed me just how talented he really is. Throughout the series Kobe stayed out of the paint and continually put up jumpers. He barely got to the free throw line and still was able to average 29.2 points a game in the series. He only averaged 2.2 free throws a game throughout the series and was still able to control the game. He shot 53% and took over when ever he wanted.

Whenever Kobe plays you just know he is going to take over. It’s just a matter of when and against the Celtics in the Finals, it will be every game. Kobe is to close to a title to try and take it away from him. Sure, people say the same about Garnett but Kobe’s fire and desire to win the game just seems so much more natural to me. When the time comes for him to step up, he isn’t yelling or hitting his chest. He looks calm, composed and eerily similar to Michael Jordan. Garnett on the other hand fades away and allows others to take over the game, which is fine and he played well enough to get the Celtics to the Finals, but the Celtics need him to take over in late game situations like that if Pierce isn’t shooting well. In the final game of the western conference finals, Kobe had 39 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. Garnett in the final game of the eastern conference finals only put up, 16 points, 7 rebounds, and had no assists. That isn’t enough out of someone who was being claimed as the MVP during the season.

The best example of Kobe’s Jordanesque appearance and was in game 7 when he was isolated at half court against Ginobili. Right before Ginobili stepped up to him he calmly let the ball bounce in front of him while he adjusted the sleeve on his arm. Manu began badgering Kobe a couple feet from the half court line trying to rob Kobe. Kobe simply turned his back shielded him off took some time off the clock and then turned around and got space. With the shot clock running out he began to approach the basket, he sped up, hesitated to make Duncan, who was behind Ginobili commit and he took the space and laid the ball up for two points and ultimately the game. When I saw that entire sequence I just laughed and said this is Kobe’s year.

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How Stupid Are The Wizards? Very.

Apr 21

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, basketball, Charles Barkley, Cleveland Cavaliers, DeShawn Stevenson, Detroit Pistons, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Miami Heat, NBA, New York Knicks, Playoffs, Reggie Miller, Spike Lee, T.J. Ford, Toronto Raptors, Uncategorized, Washington Wizards | 2 Comments

You don’t tug at Superman’s cape, and you don’t ignite a fire under LeBron James. With some careless trash-talk, the Wizards have given LeBron and the Cavaliers more to win for this post season. “He’s overrated…and you can say I said that,” Deshawn Stevenson said of MVP candidate, LeBron James. First of all, Who the hell is DeShawn Stevenson? Stevenson is a nobody. LeBron showed that he’s a nobody by owning him in the first game of the playoff series, winning 93-86. In the game, LeBron scored ten times as many points as Stevenson. Stevenson put up a total of 3 points, compared to LeBron’s 30. Stevenson needs to shut his mouth very quick because already he’s been proven wrong. If you’re going to talk trash about some one, make sure they’re a worse player than you. Here are LeBron’s season stats next to DeShawn’s.

Stevenson\'s stats pale in comparison of LeBron\'s MVP Candidate LeBron James

DeShawn Stevenson VS. LeBron James

PPG: 11.2 PPG: 30.0

RBP: 2.9 RPG: 7.9

APG: 3.1 APG: 7.2

SPG: 0.8 SPG: 1.8

BPG: 0.2 BPG: 1.1

FG: 38% FG: 45%

If that’s not enough to make Stevenson shutup than maybe these examples of “Jordanism” that LeBron displayed this season may. In a game against the Toronto Raptors, T.J. Ford had a few fans on the sideline who began heckling James. LeBron, noticing that they were there for his opponent Ford of the Raptors, went on a hot streak which brought the Cavs back to win. He yelled at the hecklers, “it’s your fault!!”

In yet another episode of Jordan-esque like performance, maybe more remniscant of Reggie Miller, LeBron scored 50 against the Knicks. Spike Lee was of course on the sidelines, jarring at LeBron. LeBron mouthed, “50″ to Spike, and then went on to hit a string of three-pointers which gave him a 50 point game in MSG.

Stevenson’s comments even startled Charles Barkley. Barkley went as far as saying, “I think the Washington Wizards have got to be the dumbest team in the history of civilization.” That sounds about right, even coming from Chuck.

Stevenson isn’t the only one talking for the Wizards. Even Gilbert Arenas got into it. He didn’t gave the courage to talk openly so he decided to do it in blog form. “I think everybody wants Cleveland in that first round. They’ve been a .500 team ever since they made that trade and everybody wants a chance at that matchup. We want Cleveland for our own reasons, we don’t think they can beat us in the playoffs three years straight. It’s hard to beat a team three years straight. We want to try our luck.” Arenas said in his seasonal blog he posts on the NBA website. Arenas has posted more blogs this season than he has played games. Isn’t that something? And, just remember the old saying Gilbert, be careful what you wish for. So far, LeBron has made the dream of playing the Cavaliers a nightmare.

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