Toughness
After further analysis, it’s clear why the Boston Celtics advanced to the 2010 Finals – mental and physical toughness – something the Cleveland Cavaliers lacked.
We knew the “overrated” Magic didn’t have the toughness to advance this year, but we were in the weeds (geographically too close to the team) too much to realize Cleveland also lacked similar toughness.
My bad – I should have caught it earlier – like last year after the Orlando debacle. Toughness and grit can’t be measured. It’s either in your make-up or not –both as an individual and as a team.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were the best team in basketball in back-to-back years in the regular season. However, they simply lacked toughness to get it done when it counted most.
How do I know this? Once is an anomaly, while twice in two years is a clear pattern.
Unfortunately, Cleveland fans are used to this after watching the Indians consistently flame-out in the post-season due to lack of an ace/clutch hitting and ofcourse the "soft" Cavs taking it on the chin in April and May year after year back in the Mark Price era.
Remember, when they could never get that key rebound when they needed it most? I loved watching those Cavalier teams, but they clearly didn't have that "it" needed to put them over the top.
You don’t get anything for dominating the regular season. That is, unless you like hanging up division banners/pennants. That gets old quickly.
Lakers In 6
Look for the Lakers to win in 6 – too much Kobe coupled with too much frontcourt length/talent. As we stated when he first became a Laker – the addition of Ron Artest should also make a difference in what should be a tough, physical series, especially at the defensive end.
MVP
By the way, I think until LBJ wins a title, calling him the best player on the planet is in great doubt. Yes, I was the first to say he was the best player in basketball three years ago. However, since then, the Cavaliers' front office has done just about all it could to surround him with the appropriate pieces to win that first elusive title. Simply put – LBJ & his teammates failed.
We can’t argue anymore he doesn’t have help. No, he doesn’t have Scottie Pippen, but well over 120 wins the past two regular seasons indicates to me there was certainly enough talent to reach the Finals either in ‘09 or this season.
All the players and Mike Brown must take some responsibility, but if you call yourself “The King,” you have to take the most heat.
This is a roundabout way of saying Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet – and he cements that fact if his Lakers beat the Celtics. Yes, Bryant has more help than James, but he plays in a tougher conference and he has a handful of rings already. Meanwhile, the King has no rings - nada! Those are undisputable facts.
By the way, something tells me this coming off-season, while James is running around with 50 cent, a dollar and a quarter and/or Usher, Bryant will quietly be in the gym working on his game. Personally, like Bryant's reclusive nature. Perhaps that's because he reminds me of me - not interested in attention. As for LBJ, go work on your post-up game please.
Yes, I’m being very critical of LBJ – but he deserves all of it and more – especially after his non-engagement performance in game #5 versus the Celtics. He’ll never live that down in my book.
Admiration
I do admire the Celtics for overachieving. Doc Rivers and company have gotten the most of this team when it counted most – that’s admirable. That's my favorite characteristic in sports - overachievers/getting the most out of yourself or your team. You simply can't ask for mre than that.
Free Agency
There are morons out there who have stated LBJ’s best bet is landing in Chicago – a talented young team with an outstanding point guard (Derrick Rose). Wrong!
Rose needs the ball in his hands 90% of the time to be effective. He’s not a shooter, he’s a scorer/slasher. Wherever he goes, James will dominate the basketball. In the Windy City, that will make Rose a much less effective player. Idiots.
One more time – if James is serious that all he wants is to play where he can win, then it’s a no-brainer – stay in Cleveland, where you have produced the league’s best record 2x in a row and have an owner willing to spend whatever it takes to make you happy.
Of course, I am the cynical kind – thinking for the past several years that James wants most to be the center of attention – THE pop culture icon if you will. I have said from the start he'll follow CC to the Big Apple. I hope I am wrong.
Speaking of Overachievers
My head coaching list consists of three in the following order – Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello and Scott Skyles (who is already employed). All have one key element in common I admire most in a coach – they get the most out of the talent they have.
And no, I don’t want some Hall of Fame college coach – not even coach K. It’s a totally different game at this (NBA) level, beginning with having to deal with men instead of kids.
And I could care less coach K has experience coaching the Olympic team. Last time I checked in the NBA, you don’t play Slovenia in a best of 7 come May.
Grady Sizemore
I can’t think of a player in ML baseball whose stock has dropped so much the past two years. He didn’t have a good year in 2009 and was hurt. He got out of the gate slowly once again in 2010 and then got hurt again.
Look at the bright side, if he keeps this up, the Indians might actually be able to afford him come his free agent season. Then again, they might not want him at that price for what he produces.
Super Bowl
I hope it is 10 below in 2014 when New York/New Jersey hosts the Super Bowl. That’s just a bad idea - Period. Look, I’m a traditionalist, but it just makes sense on numerous levels to play the Super Bowl in warm weather or inside.
Indians & Dry Heaves
If you want to throw up sometime, I have a way to make it happen. Go online, download and write down the names of the players Mark Shapiro and company acquired for CC and Cliff Lee. You’ll have the dry heaves by the fourth name you jot down.
How that guy has kept a job for so long is beyond me. His farm system hasn’t produced much talent, his major trades have been less than productive (to be kind) and his free agent acquisitions have been mediocre at best. And I didn’t even go into just one post-season appearance in a relatively weak division in nine years.
As GMs go, the guy (Shapiro) is the Matt Millen of Major League baseball.
And the team complains about fan apathy. Why should anyone care when the owner keeps people in charge who have a de ade long track record of ineptitude at various levels (farm system/trades/free agent pick-ups/WLs).
I believe strongly in being patient – but this is ridiculous.
Bring up all the damn kids at least!
World Cup
Yes, I will be watching some of the World Cup starting June 11. You are stunned I knew when it started aren’t you? Call me a freak – I don’t care.
I usually root some for the Italians while picking a small African nation or a facsimile thereof to cheer for as well.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Short & Quick
I saw all over the cable networks yesterday that 186 dead sea turtles washed up on our southern shores due to the oil spill in the Gulf. It was as though life as we know it was about to come to an end. I’m sure there will be more in the coming days and weeks.
Meanwhile, the North Koreans torpedoed a South Korean boat – killing 46, which is an act of war, and the nutty Iranians get closer and closer each day to having a weapon that can wipe out Israel.
Yet, I am supposed to get worked up over sea turtles dying and the cost of shrimp to perhaps double next year.
Am I the only one who thinks we have entered a parallel universe – where everything and everyone is %$#@UP?
Here’s part of the solution when the bulk of this mess hits the shores – have BP hire and pay (say $25 an hour and benefits for a year) fishermen in the Gulf states who now can’t work to help clean up the mess.
There is more – the head of ICE, the feds responsible for sending illegal aliens back, recently stated he may not enforce Arizona’s new anti-illegal alien law. Mind you, this is a law favored by 70% of Arizonians and over 60% of Americans.
Yet, this administration seems hell bent on confusing the public by stating this law permits cops to pull anyone over they please and ask for ID.
This is a clear-cut lie and they know it.
Or perhaps they don’t, since several in the administration, including Attorney General Eric “I can’t utter the words radical Islam” Holder, haven’t read the law – all 18 pages of it. That’s the equivalent of half a chapter in any freshman science text at a community college near you. He must be too busy granting suspected terrorist Miranda rights as though they were born in Paris, Texas and lived on the family farm all their lives rasing cattle.
The law - available on line for all to read – clearly states no profiling is to take place and the individual(s) in question must already have draw the ire of safety units (i.e. been pulled over for speeding).
Regardless, this administration and its friends in the media want to politicize the issue, get the base jazzed and stir up animosity between ethnic groups. Nice.
What they don’t get is that the majority of Americans are smarter than that – we can read. The only people they are convincing are those incapable of reading or hard core lefties who think this country is the root of all evil any way.
Morons.
Last but not least – an assistant Secretary of State recently told the Chinese we in America have our own problems with discrimination – the new Arizona law.
Here’s a high ranking member of the U.S. State Department making a moral equivalence between a legal law passed by an individual state, and the Chinese, who arrest and incarcerate their own for merely uttering anti-government rhetoric, and shoot to kill people who come across their borders illegally from North Korea and beyond.
You can’t make this shit up if you tried.
What’s next – are we going to prosecute Navy Seals for roughing up a captured Al Qaeda member who killed Americans?
Oops! They did that already.
Remember what I stated way back when – every three or four election cycles, the American public forgets what it’s like to put liberals in charge and decide to hand them the keys to the car (i.e. Jimmy Carter in 1976). Once they crash it into the stop sign again (aka: over reach with policies the majority of the country disapproves of), the grown-ups are put back in charge.
2012 can’t come soon enough for many.
Meanwhile, the North Koreans torpedoed a South Korean boat – killing 46, which is an act of war, and the nutty Iranians get closer and closer each day to having a weapon that can wipe out Israel.
Yet, I am supposed to get worked up over sea turtles dying and the cost of shrimp to perhaps double next year.
Am I the only one who thinks we have entered a parallel universe – where everything and everyone is %$#@UP?
Here’s part of the solution when the bulk of this mess hits the shores – have BP hire and pay (say $25 an hour and benefits for a year) fishermen in the Gulf states who now can’t work to help clean up the mess.
There is more – the head of ICE, the feds responsible for sending illegal aliens back, recently stated he may not enforce Arizona’s new anti-illegal alien law. Mind you, this is a law favored by 70% of Arizonians and over 60% of Americans.
Yet, this administration seems hell bent on confusing the public by stating this law permits cops to pull anyone over they please and ask for ID.
This is a clear-cut lie and they know it.
Or perhaps they don’t, since several in the administration, including Attorney General Eric “I can’t utter the words radical Islam” Holder, haven’t read the law – all 18 pages of it. That’s the equivalent of half a chapter in any freshman science text at a community college near you. He must be too busy granting suspected terrorist Miranda rights as though they were born in Paris, Texas and lived on the family farm all their lives rasing cattle.
The law - available on line for all to read – clearly states no profiling is to take place and the individual(s) in question must already have draw the ire of safety units (i.e. been pulled over for speeding).
Regardless, this administration and its friends in the media want to politicize the issue, get the base jazzed and stir up animosity between ethnic groups. Nice.
What they don’t get is that the majority of Americans are smarter than that – we can read. The only people they are convincing are those incapable of reading or hard core lefties who think this country is the root of all evil any way.
Morons.
Last but not least – an assistant Secretary of State recently told the Chinese we in America have our own problems with discrimination – the new Arizona law.
Here’s a high ranking member of the U.S. State Department making a moral equivalence between a legal law passed by an individual state, and the Chinese, who arrest and incarcerate their own for merely uttering anti-government rhetoric, and shoot to kill people who come across their borders illegally from North Korea and beyond.
You can’t make this shit up if you tried.
What’s next – are we going to prosecute Navy Seals for roughing up a captured Al Qaeda member who killed Americans?
Oops! They did that already.
Remember what I stated way back when – every three or four election cycles, the American public forgets what it’s like to put liberals in charge and decide to hand them the keys to the car (i.e. Jimmy Carter in 1976). Once they crash it into the stop sign again (aka: over reach with policies the majority of the country disapproves of), the grown-ups are put back in charge.
2012 can’t come soon enough for many.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Long and Arduous
We’ve covered some of this in our last two posts as we began to see the meltdown taking place. However, here are our final thoughts as to why the Cavaliers folded come playoff time after posting the best record in the league for the second year in a row.
Mind you, Danny Ferry, the GM, gets somewhat of a pass. In 2010, he provided this coaching staff with more bullets in the gun – allowing this group to play different styles of basketball with different combinations – something that was unavailable in 2009. There wasn’t much more he could do this time around going in short of acquiring a true Robin to Batman (LBJ) – which was unrealistic.
First, this team has lacked a consistent scorer (instant offense) off the bench, putting immense pressure on the starters to produce points every night. This is a minor flaw compared to the rest.
We simply got this one wrong – overrating his potential. Anderson V. is simply an energy and hustle player – not a starter. When he plays major minutes he wears down, and more importantly, you play 5-on-4 on the offensive end when he’s out there. He can’t score the basketball unless he’s laying it in. There is simply no reason to guard him.
Along the same lines, running screen and rolls with AV is and has been a terrible offensive option. You are bringing the one guy on the floor who can’t dribble, pass or score the basketball into the main offensive fray. Yes, on occasion he finishes with a layup. However, it is always a better option to have someone set the screen the defense actually has to guard outside of four feet. The Cavaliers have been doing the opposition a favor with this moronic screen/roll option for years. Jamison and James, for example, should have worked this to death this spring.
I was wrong again. Mo Williams is a not a prime-time performer and A. Jamison did not establish himself as that much-needed consistent #2 option offensively come post-season. If he’s not scoring points, Mo is too much of a defensive liability to help your team. In a seven-game series, that gets exposed – especially by well-coached teams. We saw this two years in a row. As for Jamison, he tends to play soft and was asked to do something he can’t do – guard Kevin Garnett in the post. Truth be told – having Williams and Jamison on the floor means you have two subpar/soft defenders playing at one time. Well coached, disciplined teams (i.e. Boston) take advantage of that in the half court in a long series – where every major wart is exposed.
This team has badly needed a true defensive presence inside to provide cover for poor perimeter defenders (i.e. Mo Williams). Mark Price had Larry Nance and Hot Rod Williams covering up his mistakes. The Cavaliers simply don’t have that kind of presence. Marcus Camby, or a facsimile there of, would have helped. You can’t consistently allow opposing guards to penetrate at will, breaking down your defense time and time again. It not only affects your defensive rotation but it is the quickest way to cause on the floor finger-pointing.
Much to my continued dismay, this coaching staff and LBJ James have refused to emphasize potentially one of his greatest strengths – the post-up game. On the road to slow down opposing runs or when LBJ is simply having a poor shooting night, having him post up in the half court makes it next to impossible for the opposition to guard him. It also saves on some of the wear and tear from LBJ driving to the basket and taking the constant pounding that follows. Finally, it forces him to get engaged on nights he shows low energy levels (see game #5 versus Celtics). He’s too big for smaller defenders and too quick for bigger defenders in the block. And if the double comes, the Cavaliers should get an excellent perimeter look time and time again off his post-up. It’s basketball malpractice this has not been emphasized the past several years.
Once again, Mike Brown and company were outcoached. Last year, Ron Jeremy got over on Brown and Hedo T. got paid thanks to the Cavaliers. This year, Doc Rivers took an aging team with next to no bench and handled Cleveland in six games. This actually included arguably Rivers’ best player (Paul Pierce) underachieving for much of the series.
Again, along the same lines, this team’s refusal to put one of the game’s best defenders (LBJ) on the opposition’s most potent player in that particular series (Hedo T. in ’09 or R. Rondo in ‘10) made it almost impossible to get control of the series. Having James take Rondo, at minimum at the end of quarters and in crunch time, might have made a difference. You cannot allow the opposition’s main ball-handler to go where he wants, do what he wants, when he wants! Yes, plugging that hole could open up others (i.e. Paul Pierce) but if you don’t plug the hole, it doesn’t matter. Running double teams at RR and taking the ball out of his hands on occasion was also an option not consistently utilized.
I never thought I would be saying this but LBJ simply quit in game 5 versus the Celtics. Check that, he never even tried. I have never seen this in professional sports in my life – arguably the best player in his sport not give 100% in the most important game of the season. That’s impossible to fathom and inexcusable. If I had a vote, hell would freeze over before I give LBJ my next league MVP vote. And this, once again, is the best reason to hold off on MVP voting in any team sport until a champion is crowned.
Finally, call it lack of heart, toughness or whatever term you prefer - this team is simply soft. There is no other way to explain back-to-back post-season “flame outs” as the owner called them, after posting the league’s best record. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers join other long-standing regular season juggernauts (Sacramento, Dallas, Phoenix, etc.) that consistently showed big during the first 82 but could never win a title and often exited early in April and May. The Cavaliers of the late 80s/early 90s were often accused of this, but they had an out – the real #23 (MJ). This group has no such crutch to lean on. Ownership and management would do well to acquire a couple players this off-season who bring more than mere statistics to the roster. Players who bring heart/toughness are in need here.
Yes, I had this team losing to the Lakers in seven in the Finals before the season started. When the playoffs began, there was no reason to think otherwise. Something went terribly wrong in the post-season. Eventually, we’ll find out what happened in terms of off the floor antics. When ownership breaks this thing up, the rats jump off the ship and turn on each other. That’s the way sports works. Unfortunately, that's the way life works for some.
Regardless, there is plenty of "on the court" fault to go around as you can see by this entry, starting with LBJ – who decided prior to game #5 that July had come early. The “King” has enjoyed a tremendous amount of positive press since he was a young pup – mostly deserved. He has exceeded all expectations in terms of pure talent level to date. But this is more than a black mark on his record. In my mind, what happened in game #5 against the Celtics supersedes anything positive he’s done to date – including game #5 versus the Pistons two years ago.
Think of it this way - even with everything we have catalogued in terms of what went wrong and why - if James plays like an MVP in game #5, the Cavaliers likely win this series.
As I said, what we witnessed (total lack of effort) was unprecedented and inexcusable.
Mind you, Danny Ferry, the GM, gets somewhat of a pass. In 2010, he provided this coaching staff with more bullets in the gun – allowing this group to play different styles of basketball with different combinations – something that was unavailable in 2009. There wasn’t much more he could do this time around going in short of acquiring a true Robin to Batman (LBJ) – which was unrealistic.
First, this team has lacked a consistent scorer (instant offense) off the bench, putting immense pressure on the starters to produce points every night. This is a minor flaw compared to the rest.
We simply got this one wrong – overrating his potential. Anderson V. is simply an energy and hustle player – not a starter. When he plays major minutes he wears down, and more importantly, you play 5-on-4 on the offensive end when he’s out there. He can’t score the basketball unless he’s laying it in. There is simply no reason to guard him.
Along the same lines, running screen and rolls with AV is and has been a terrible offensive option. You are bringing the one guy on the floor who can’t dribble, pass or score the basketball into the main offensive fray. Yes, on occasion he finishes with a layup. However, it is always a better option to have someone set the screen the defense actually has to guard outside of four feet. The Cavaliers have been doing the opposition a favor with this moronic screen/roll option for years. Jamison and James, for example, should have worked this to death this spring.
I was wrong again. Mo Williams is a not a prime-time performer and A. Jamison did not establish himself as that much-needed consistent #2 option offensively come post-season. If he’s not scoring points, Mo is too much of a defensive liability to help your team. In a seven-game series, that gets exposed – especially by well-coached teams. We saw this two years in a row. As for Jamison, he tends to play soft and was asked to do something he can’t do – guard Kevin Garnett in the post. Truth be told – having Williams and Jamison on the floor means you have two subpar/soft defenders playing at one time. Well coached, disciplined teams (i.e. Boston) take advantage of that in the half court in a long series – where every major wart is exposed.
This team has badly needed a true defensive presence inside to provide cover for poor perimeter defenders (i.e. Mo Williams). Mark Price had Larry Nance and Hot Rod Williams covering up his mistakes. The Cavaliers simply don’t have that kind of presence. Marcus Camby, or a facsimile there of, would have helped. You can’t consistently allow opposing guards to penetrate at will, breaking down your defense time and time again. It not only affects your defensive rotation but it is the quickest way to cause on the floor finger-pointing.
Much to my continued dismay, this coaching staff and LBJ James have refused to emphasize potentially one of his greatest strengths – the post-up game. On the road to slow down opposing runs or when LBJ is simply having a poor shooting night, having him post up in the half court makes it next to impossible for the opposition to guard him. It also saves on some of the wear and tear from LBJ driving to the basket and taking the constant pounding that follows. Finally, it forces him to get engaged on nights he shows low energy levels (see game #5 versus Celtics). He’s too big for smaller defenders and too quick for bigger defenders in the block. And if the double comes, the Cavaliers should get an excellent perimeter look time and time again off his post-up. It’s basketball malpractice this has not been emphasized the past several years.
Once again, Mike Brown and company were outcoached. Last year, Ron Jeremy got over on Brown and Hedo T. got paid thanks to the Cavaliers. This year, Doc Rivers took an aging team with next to no bench and handled Cleveland in six games. This actually included arguably Rivers’ best player (Paul Pierce) underachieving for much of the series.
Again, along the same lines, this team’s refusal to put one of the game’s best defenders (LBJ) on the opposition’s most potent player in that particular series (Hedo T. in ’09 or R. Rondo in ‘10) made it almost impossible to get control of the series. Having James take Rondo, at minimum at the end of quarters and in crunch time, might have made a difference. You cannot allow the opposition’s main ball-handler to go where he wants, do what he wants, when he wants! Yes, plugging that hole could open up others (i.e. Paul Pierce) but if you don’t plug the hole, it doesn’t matter. Running double teams at RR and taking the ball out of his hands on occasion was also an option not consistently utilized.
I never thought I would be saying this but LBJ simply quit in game 5 versus the Celtics. Check that, he never even tried. I have never seen this in professional sports in my life – arguably the best player in his sport not give 100% in the most important game of the season. That’s impossible to fathom and inexcusable. If I had a vote, hell would freeze over before I give LBJ my next league MVP vote. And this, once again, is the best reason to hold off on MVP voting in any team sport until a champion is crowned.
Finally, call it lack of heart, toughness or whatever term you prefer - this team is simply soft. There is no other way to explain back-to-back post-season “flame outs” as the owner called them, after posting the league’s best record. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers join other long-standing regular season juggernauts (Sacramento, Dallas, Phoenix, etc.) that consistently showed big during the first 82 but could never win a title and often exited early in April and May. The Cavaliers of the late 80s/early 90s were often accused of this, but they had an out – the real #23 (MJ). This group has no such crutch to lean on. Ownership and management would do well to acquire a couple players this off-season who bring more than mere statistics to the roster. Players who bring heart/toughness are in need here.
Yes, I had this team losing to the Lakers in seven in the Finals before the season started. When the playoffs began, there was no reason to think otherwise. Something went terribly wrong in the post-season. Eventually, we’ll find out what happened in terms of off the floor antics. When ownership breaks this thing up, the rats jump off the ship and turn on each other. That’s the way sports works. Unfortunately, that's the way life works for some.
Regardless, there is plenty of "on the court" fault to go around as you can see by this entry, starting with LBJ – who decided prior to game #5 that July had come early. The “King” has enjoyed a tremendous amount of positive press since he was a young pup – mostly deserved. He has exceeded all expectations in terms of pure talent level to date. But this is more than a black mark on his record. In my mind, what happened in game #5 against the Celtics supersedes anything positive he’s done to date – including game #5 versus the Pistons two years ago.
Think of it this way - even with everything we have catalogued in terms of what went wrong and why - if James plays like an MVP in game #5, the Cavaliers likely win this series.
As I said, what we witnessed (total lack of effort) was unprecedented and inexcusable.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Short & Quick
We noted in our last entry that Cleveland’s game #4 effort – especially in the fourth quarter – was embarrassing. Well, it got worse.
What follows are some simple observations that should shed some light on the basketball abortion we are seeing take place in Cleveland.
This team will be ripped apart if they can’t advance beyond the second round after back-to-back 60+ win campaigns.
The Cavaliers are simply soft. If they lose this series, they will join the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, as regular season juggernauts that don’t have the heart to win in the post-season.
Someone told LBJ July has arrived early. How else do you explain him being completely MIA in arguably the most important game in franchise history (game #5)?
Two of my favorite players – Mo Williams and A. Jamison are poor on-ball defenders & the Celtics’ coaching staff is taking full advantage of those mismatches.
In Mo’s case, he simply can’t be on the floor in this series if he’s not scoring the basketball. We’ve said this already, but it needs re-stated.
Mike Brown and his staff have committed coaching malpractice once again (see ’09 Orlando series) by not having LBJ post up ONCE in game #5, when it was obvious 23's jumper wasn’t falling. Putting his ass in the torcher chamber would have forced 23 to engage, and thus demanded a Celtic double-team – opening up good perimeter looks for others.
Shaq’s inability to consistently finish inside has allowed the Celtics to play him straight up – closing off many of Cleveland’s perimeter looks.
The Celtics are wisely not covering Andy V. unless he is rolling to the basketball. This is forcing Cleveland to play 5-on-4 at the offensive end. Anytime AV takes a shot not considered a layup/dunk, the Celtics win that possession.
Once again, not one player not named James on Cleveland’s roster, has played consistently well throughout this series. This has made this mediocre coaching staff’s job that much harder trying to find the right combinations to play.
I’d be pissed too if I’m Dan Gilbert. He’s about to see the value of his team drop by 50% or more in a couple months when James walks, citing his inability to win in Cleveland. Talk about a stock market crash.
Some advice for this organization before game #6 - post James early and often, give Mo’s minutes to J. Moon if Williams has that “deer in a headlight look” early, run, run and run some more to avoid allowing the Celtics to clamp down in the half-court, put a body on Rondo and Allen on occasion (it’s okay to knock them down), show some physical and mental toughness, and PLEASE, stop with the silly pre-game & in-game sideline antics – save the energy this time for floor burns.
No, I have no idea what will happen in game #6 tonight, but I wouldn’t bet the mortgage the Cavaliers will man up – they haven’t yet. Here’s hoping I am wrong.
What follows are some simple observations that should shed some light on the basketball abortion we are seeing take place in Cleveland.
This team will be ripped apart if they can’t advance beyond the second round after back-to-back 60+ win campaigns.
The Cavaliers are simply soft. If they lose this series, they will join the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, as regular season juggernauts that don’t have the heart to win in the post-season.
Someone told LBJ July has arrived early. How else do you explain him being completely MIA in arguably the most important game in franchise history (game #5)?
Two of my favorite players – Mo Williams and A. Jamison are poor on-ball defenders & the Celtics’ coaching staff is taking full advantage of those mismatches.
In Mo’s case, he simply can’t be on the floor in this series if he’s not scoring the basketball. We’ve said this already, but it needs re-stated.
Mike Brown and his staff have committed coaching malpractice once again (see ’09 Orlando series) by not having LBJ post up ONCE in game #5, when it was obvious 23's jumper wasn’t falling. Putting his ass in the torcher chamber would have forced 23 to engage, and thus demanded a Celtic double-team – opening up good perimeter looks for others.
Shaq’s inability to consistently finish inside has allowed the Celtics to play him straight up – closing off many of Cleveland’s perimeter looks.
The Celtics are wisely not covering Andy V. unless he is rolling to the basketball. This is forcing Cleveland to play 5-on-4 at the offensive end. Anytime AV takes a shot not considered a layup/dunk, the Celtics win that possession.
Once again, not one player not named James on Cleveland’s roster, has played consistently well throughout this series. This has made this mediocre coaching staff’s job that much harder trying to find the right combinations to play.
I’d be pissed too if I’m Dan Gilbert. He’s about to see the value of his team drop by 50% or more in a couple months when James walks, citing his inability to win in Cleveland. Talk about a stock market crash.
Some advice for this organization before game #6 - post James early and often, give Mo’s minutes to J. Moon if Williams has that “deer in a headlight look” early, run, run and run some more to avoid allowing the Celtics to clamp down in the half-court, put a body on Rondo and Allen on occasion (it’s okay to knock them down), show some physical and mental toughness, and PLEASE, stop with the silly pre-game & in-game sideline antics – save the energy this time for floor burns.
No, I have no idea what will happen in game #6 tonight, but I wouldn’t bet the mortgage the Cavaliers will man up – they haven’t yet. Here’s hoping I am wrong.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Short & Quick
It Didn’t Have to Be This Hard
The best player on the planet blew it – not that he had much help. And the coaching staff still looks lost. That’s my view of what happened yesterday, especially in the fourth quarter of game #4 versus the Celtics.
The Cavaliers had an opportunity to go up 3-1 in the series and let it slip away. Not only did they waste the opportunity, they didn’t put up much of a fight.
There was no sense of urgency going into that final period. All we saw was a lack of concentration, terrible spacing offensively, turnover after turnover, missed open looks, no transition defense and a general lay-up drill for the Celtics.
The coaching staff is still out to lunch in terms of trying to figure out how to slow down R. Rondo – much like last year’s debacle when they turned Hedo T. into a superstar. This time around, they are turning a good player (RR) into a HOFer.
Double him early on and get the ball out of his hands, try J. Moon on him, and put the sport’s best athlete on him (LBJ) at key points – end of quarters and down the stretch.
Instead we get more of the same – the Cavaliers going small when they don’t have to anymore.
Yesterday, we had Anthony Parker allowing Rondo to pick up 18 rebounds on his way to a triple-double. It's one thing to not be able to stay in front of a smaller/quicker player, but allowing 18 boards? Come on. Can you play any softer?
It would also help if LBJ got some unexpected help, but that’s not likely to happen every night with this team. Shaq showed up, but no one else did yesterday.
A. Jamison has been okay at best during this series, and Mo Williams, who played poorly last time around in the post-season, is being totally exposed this spring.
He was manhandled by D. Rose in April and is being abused by RR in May. And with the exception of one terrific shooting half (game #2), he has been a total liability on the floor. I regret saying it, but facts are facts. Sit his ass down if he’s not making a ton of shots!
Yes, the Cavaliers are still in the driver’s seat having two of the next three at home. And yes, role players play better at home. But it didn’t have to be this hard.
Yesterday, they played like they felt they could turn it on and off when they wanted to (i.e. game #3). That's a recipe for disaster - especially if LBJ turns an ankle or they shoot 25-of-75 in game #7.
Unlike conventional wisdom you are getting elsewhere from the media and the Cavaliers themselves, the Celtics are not true champions who won’t go away quietly.
Here’s the real deal – they ARE old! They have a mediocre bench at best. KG can’t dominate every night anymore. Ray Allen is a shell of what he was three years ago. And the “great” Paul Pierce has been MIA this series. Those ae all facts. Do I need to go on?
This series should be 3-1 Cavs right now and they have no one to blame but themselves.
So where are we?
Here’s what you won’t hear elsewhere - Game #5 arguably becomes the most important single game in franchise history.
A Cavs loss tomorrow probably leads to an early out versus Boston. Then the snowball effect takes place – the media and fans go nuts, James has an excuse to scoot town citing he can’t win it here, and ofcourse the Cavaliers fire Brown and his staff.
Thus the window closes on what looked like a golden era in Cavs basketball. So much for winning multiple titles with James & company.
Just keeping it real.
Of course, winning two of the next three will avoid all this misery. Again, it didn’t have to be this hard.
The best player on the planet blew it – not that he had much help. And the coaching staff still looks lost. That’s my view of what happened yesterday, especially in the fourth quarter of game #4 versus the Celtics.
The Cavaliers had an opportunity to go up 3-1 in the series and let it slip away. Not only did they waste the opportunity, they didn’t put up much of a fight.
There was no sense of urgency going into that final period. All we saw was a lack of concentration, terrible spacing offensively, turnover after turnover, missed open looks, no transition defense and a general lay-up drill for the Celtics.
The coaching staff is still out to lunch in terms of trying to figure out how to slow down R. Rondo – much like last year’s debacle when they turned Hedo T. into a superstar. This time around, they are turning a good player (RR) into a HOFer.
Double him early on and get the ball out of his hands, try J. Moon on him, and put the sport’s best athlete on him (LBJ) at key points – end of quarters and down the stretch.
Instead we get more of the same – the Cavaliers going small when they don’t have to anymore.
Yesterday, we had Anthony Parker allowing Rondo to pick up 18 rebounds on his way to a triple-double. It's one thing to not be able to stay in front of a smaller/quicker player, but allowing 18 boards? Come on. Can you play any softer?
It would also help if LBJ got some unexpected help, but that’s not likely to happen every night with this team. Shaq showed up, but no one else did yesterday.
A. Jamison has been okay at best during this series, and Mo Williams, who played poorly last time around in the post-season, is being totally exposed this spring.
He was manhandled by D. Rose in April and is being abused by RR in May. And with the exception of one terrific shooting half (game #2), he has been a total liability on the floor. I regret saying it, but facts are facts. Sit his ass down if he’s not making a ton of shots!
Yes, the Cavaliers are still in the driver’s seat having two of the next three at home. And yes, role players play better at home. But it didn’t have to be this hard.
Yesterday, they played like they felt they could turn it on and off when they wanted to (i.e. game #3). That's a recipe for disaster - especially if LBJ turns an ankle or they shoot 25-of-75 in game #7.
Unlike conventional wisdom you are getting elsewhere from the media and the Cavaliers themselves, the Celtics are not true champions who won’t go away quietly.
Here’s the real deal – they ARE old! They have a mediocre bench at best. KG can’t dominate every night anymore. Ray Allen is a shell of what he was three years ago. And the “great” Paul Pierce has been MIA this series. Those ae all facts. Do I need to go on?
This series should be 3-1 Cavs right now and they have no one to blame but themselves.
So where are we?
Here’s what you won’t hear elsewhere - Game #5 arguably becomes the most important single game in franchise history.
A Cavs loss tomorrow probably leads to an early out versus Boston. Then the snowball effect takes place – the media and fans go nuts, James has an excuse to scoot town citing he can’t win it here, and ofcourse the Cavaliers fire Brown and his staff.
Thus the window closes on what looked like a golden era in Cavs basketball. So much for winning multiple titles with James & company.
Just keeping it real.
Of course, winning two of the next three will avoid all this misery. Again, it didn’t have to be this hard.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Short & Quick
Short & Quick
I know you missed me. Several of you complained. However, I was busy at my government job – working the Arizona border, tracking the coyotes who smuggle illegals into Tempe and points beyond.
Quiz
What do Matthew Stafford (13TDs/20 picks in ’09), Mark Sanchez, (12 TDs/20 picks in ’09) and this year’s quarterback draft class all have in common?
Answer – way too much.
The problem is hype. There’s too much of it. Because they play the game’s most important position, the media is fixated with their every move, twitch, thought, etc.
Some so-called experts fall in love with one, while others fall in love with the next guy in line.
I can't tell most of these guys apart. Really.
If I played audio clips of what those who get paid to evaluate talent said about past incoming “franchise” quarterbacks, you would laugh out loud.
The truth is 99% of the time, there is no John Elway in the current draft class – regardless what these morons tell you.
It’s all a big guessing game, with opportunity, coaching, the talent around you and heart determining the pro careers of these guys.
Browns Draft
Again – unless I see a lot of you, I don’t comment. I have no idea if these guys can play. I do know one thing – there are plenty of openings for playing time if these guys can walk and chew gum.
And yes – I am still waiting for this organization to add a professional wide receiver to this roster. That would make 1 on the roster if that takes place – if you are counting.
Josh McDaniels
A friend mentioned to me this guy might be the most arrogant coach alive – that’s saying something.
His analysis was based on the quarterback he went with last year (I can't think of his name right now but we'll just say Steve Fuller & be in the ballpark) and the fact that he added two more QBs (Brady Quinn & Tim Tebow) prior and during the draft.
His thinking is McDaniels figures he can coach anybody up. I’m not sure I agree, but I do wonder why you acquire Quinn, then go out and trade up to take Tebow.
Yes, I like them both, but why go after both of them? The last time I checked, you can only play one at a time. The correct process is to pick a young quarterback and let him learn from his mistakes while having a veteran backing up.
McDaniels’ logic escapes me right now. Perhaps my friend has it right – he’s arrogant. We’ll see.
My boy Quinn did come dirt cheap. That I get. As for adding my other boy Tebow, when you have other pressing needs, I'm not sure.
I give the kid credit for doing it his way however. But one thing is for certain – if the Broncos fail to make the playoffs this season, the “boy genius” will be on the hot seat and the butt of many jokes.
John Gruden
Staying on the QB theme – why is John Gruden now considered some QB Guru?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Gruden’s passion, but why is he now considered the go-to guy when talking QBs simply because he does an appealing television piece with a group of incoming NFL quarterbacks.
Remember, this guy went through more starting quarterbacks when he ran Tampa Bay than long haul truckers go through prostitutes.
By the way, I still have Gruden as 3-1 to be the Browns’ new head coach in 2011with “The Walrus” himself as the favorite at 2-1. The Walrus is 5-1 he'll take over the team mid-way throughg the season if Mangini gets out of the gate 2-6.
Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are clearly the best team in the east and should NOT have to go 7 prior to the Finals versus their likely opponent – the Lakers. We’ve said that all along. But if they do have to go 7, that’s why you play the regular season – to post the best record and get game 7 in your building. No excuses. Just win.
As I have said in the past, Danny Ferry has given Mike Brown a full clip to work with in 2009-10 – depth and the ability to play any style. They can go small, go big, go long, etc… If this team fails to reach the Finals, expect a new head coach in 2010-2011.
Who would I hire?
Glad you asked. Same guy I wanted last time – Pat Riley. My second choice is Hubie Brown – current television analyst And if you want me to go three deep – Scott Skiles, current Bucks’ head coach. Skiles’ teams ALWAYS overachieve.
All this is predicated on LBJ returning ofcourse. He he walks, it won't matter who coaches. Hell, no one will want the gig.
Of course, all of this talk won’t be necessary if Mo Williams plays well in the post season. The Cavaliers picked up my boy Antwan Jamison to protect themselves against Mo getting the “deer in headlight” look as he did last year in the post-season.
We covered this ground months ago. Simply put – the organization is not confident Mo can be that consistent second scorer when it counts most.
But if Mo can stay in front of opposing point guards on occasion and consistently give them 16-20 a night in May and June, the Cavaliers will be almost impossible to beat 4x in a seven-game series with Cleveland playing game 7 in its building.
This leads us to his performance in game #1 versus the Celtics. It was good to see Williams actually man up in the second half after getting abused in the first half by Rondo. This was a first and a good sign for the Cavaliers.
I don’t think anyone realizes how close Mo was to getting benched in that game and perhpas going into a funk for the series.
Williams actually showed some pride and stepped up after getting embarrassed. Usually, if Moe gets handled early, you don’t hear much from him the rest of the night. He fades instead of taking on the challenge. This was not the case in game 1against Boston. Hopefully, this will give him confidence to play consistent basketball through the rest of the post-season.
He doesn’t have to go off every night – just knock down the open looks, don’t turn it over, and PLEASE TRY to stay in front.
However, if he isn’t making shots and guys are flying by him – Brown has other options this time around. That’s why this team should come out of the east.
We have loved Mo since day 1 in a Cavalier uniform. Remember, we described him as the best player LBJ has ever played with before the rest of the world figured it out. However, he (MW) did not show up last season when it counted most. That hurt this team.
Management went out and added a true #2 scorer (A. Jamison) just in case Mo went AWOL at some point in the 2010 post-season. However, if Moe shows up, it should be 6games max versus the Celtics and the overrated Magic.
We’ll discuss the expected Lakers-Cavs series if and when that takes place.
MVP
Who were the morons who voted for Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant for MVP?
LBJ just earned his second straight MVP award. I have it at four in a row, but what do I know?
Do you remember the garbage team he took to the Finals when San Antonio swept them a few years back? Tell me he wasn't the best player in the league that year?
Regardless, the guy has gotten better in all phases every year with the one exception we have hammered for years – posting up.
If he ever truly worked and emphasized that part of his game, he would simply be unstoppable and the Cavaliers would be better for it.
I still believe he will average a triple-double for a full season at some point in his career – just to break the boredom.
But first thing first – he needs a handful of rings before the legend reaches epic proportions – at least in my mind.
Dallas Mavericks
Why can’t the basketball world figure this one out?
When you need to go out and acquire toughness to offset the softness of your best player (Dirk N.), you have a problem.
Yes, Dirk will go into the Hall of Fame. And yes, he’s the best shooting big man of all-time. But he's soft. Period. And therefore, his team is soft.
Teams either take on the personality of their coach or their best player. That's just the way it is. See, you learn something new every time, don't you?
He never made the adjustments necessary for his team to advance – get stronger, post up more often, go to the basket more, stop fading away so much, and improve his average passing skills. Doing those things would have made him better, his teammates better, and given his teams a better chance to advance come post-season.
I know it’s hard to get a superstar to buy in when he’s leading you to 50+ win seasons every year and earning MVP votes. But the Mavs have been flawed for years and ditto for Nuggets, whose superstar (Carmelo) is moody and mostly just a scorer.
I still hate it when people put Anthony in the same conversationa as LBJ and D. Wade. He's not in their league. He doesn't make others better ever night. How many times do I need to say it?
Jerry Sloan
I think Jerry Sloan is an amazing coach. His system works. Period. But if I were interviewing him after game 1’s loss to the Lakers, I would ask him why he didn’t take the ball out of Kobe’s hands down the stretch. Cardinal sin coach.
Sloan let the other team’s best player beat him. Game 1 is on him. I don’t care how many career wins Sloan has. You NEVER let the other team’s best player beat you if you can avoid it. In basketball, you can control that factor by doubling and tripling when necessary.
If Artest, Gasol, Odom, or fill in the blank make the plays to beat you, you live with it and move on. But why give the best player on the floor the opportunity to beat you?
Look, would you rather face the sixth hitter in the line-up with the game on the line or Eddie Murray in his prime?
Sloan didn’t make the correct coaching move, and the Jazz – my FAVORITE organization in sports because they do it the right way and their players play the right way – lost!
Stupid Statement of the Month
Every once in a while, you hear something said that instantly destroys someone’s credibility. It’s like an Indians’ announcer, who will go unnamed, who once wondered why the Indians were squeezing with two out and a runner on third.
They weren’t you moron, he was simply bunting for a hit hoping to catch the opposition sleeping – just like some dude in KC pulled on them last week.
I was watching some late afternoon sport talk show last week - which was my first mistake - when some female sportswriter, or whatever she was, mentioned in passing that Milwaukee Bucks' rookie B. Jennings would be a future MVP candidate.
Yea – and bats will fly out of my ass next time we turn the clocks back come fall lady.
Yes, Jennings had a nice rookie year – but future MVP candidate? How does one process that insanity? Maybe she had a bad hair day or was having her monthly cramps. Who knows. But this isn't limited to female media members mind you.
I hear such nonsense all too often and it makes me wonder how some of these people cash their checks without wearing masks.
It's really just a simple case of being exposed.
Again, one of my pet peeves in sports in full display - the media is now part of the show. Thirty years ago we didn't know who these people were or what most of them looked like. Now they have their own shows, are in front of us more than the athletes and coaches, and many show their biases, short-term sports memories,and in some cases, their pure ignorance, on a regular basis.
Which bring me the question - what does a sportswriter have to do to get fired? In other words, has one ever been canned for not knowing shit about sports?
Oil Spill
Okay – so now we won’t be able to drill for oil off our coasts because we had a spill off the Louisiana coast and a bunch of lobsters will turn up dead. Great. Why don’t we just go back to the wheel and buggy and before we had penicilin to cure crabs?
Hell, I don’t even eat at Red Lobster. The only fish I eat is shrimp.
When you try to advance the human condition, shit happens! It’s called the cost of progress. I'm not happy about it, but you don't tuck tail and run when something goes wrong. Too bad we are becoming so soft, we can’t even state the obvious.
Thank goodness this generation didn't fight WWII. We'd all be talking German right now or eating rice 3x daily.
Do me a favor, next time you see a smart car – take a look who is driving.
It’s usually an ugly broad from NOW (The National Organization of Ugly Women) or a bearded college professor who spent the late 1960s and early 1970s on a commune avoiding taking baths for fear it would drain our water supply, all the while growing lettuce and weed in the garden.
Had enough?
I know you missed me. Several of you complained. However, I was busy at my government job – working the Arizona border, tracking the coyotes who smuggle illegals into Tempe and points beyond.
Quiz
What do Matthew Stafford (13TDs/20 picks in ’09), Mark Sanchez, (12 TDs/20 picks in ’09) and this year’s quarterback draft class all have in common?
Answer – way too much.
The problem is hype. There’s too much of it. Because they play the game’s most important position, the media is fixated with their every move, twitch, thought, etc.
Some so-called experts fall in love with one, while others fall in love with the next guy in line.
I can't tell most of these guys apart. Really.
If I played audio clips of what those who get paid to evaluate talent said about past incoming “franchise” quarterbacks, you would laugh out loud.
The truth is 99% of the time, there is no John Elway in the current draft class – regardless what these morons tell you.
It’s all a big guessing game, with opportunity, coaching, the talent around you and heart determining the pro careers of these guys.
Browns Draft
Again – unless I see a lot of you, I don’t comment. I have no idea if these guys can play. I do know one thing – there are plenty of openings for playing time if these guys can walk and chew gum.
And yes – I am still waiting for this organization to add a professional wide receiver to this roster. That would make 1 on the roster if that takes place – if you are counting.
Josh McDaniels
A friend mentioned to me this guy might be the most arrogant coach alive – that’s saying something.
His analysis was based on the quarterback he went with last year (I can't think of his name right now but we'll just say Steve Fuller & be in the ballpark) and the fact that he added two more QBs (Brady Quinn & Tim Tebow) prior and during the draft.
His thinking is McDaniels figures he can coach anybody up. I’m not sure I agree, but I do wonder why you acquire Quinn, then go out and trade up to take Tebow.
Yes, I like them both, but why go after both of them? The last time I checked, you can only play one at a time. The correct process is to pick a young quarterback and let him learn from his mistakes while having a veteran backing up.
McDaniels’ logic escapes me right now. Perhaps my friend has it right – he’s arrogant. We’ll see.
My boy Quinn did come dirt cheap. That I get. As for adding my other boy Tebow, when you have other pressing needs, I'm not sure.
I give the kid credit for doing it his way however. But one thing is for certain – if the Broncos fail to make the playoffs this season, the “boy genius” will be on the hot seat and the butt of many jokes.
John Gruden
Staying on the QB theme – why is John Gruden now considered some QB Guru?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Gruden’s passion, but why is he now considered the go-to guy when talking QBs simply because he does an appealing television piece with a group of incoming NFL quarterbacks.
Remember, this guy went through more starting quarterbacks when he ran Tampa Bay than long haul truckers go through prostitutes.
By the way, I still have Gruden as 3-1 to be the Browns’ new head coach in 2011with “The Walrus” himself as the favorite at 2-1. The Walrus is 5-1 he'll take over the team mid-way throughg the season if Mangini gets out of the gate 2-6.
Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are clearly the best team in the east and should NOT have to go 7 prior to the Finals versus their likely opponent – the Lakers. We’ve said that all along. But if they do have to go 7, that’s why you play the regular season – to post the best record and get game 7 in your building. No excuses. Just win.
As I have said in the past, Danny Ferry has given Mike Brown a full clip to work with in 2009-10 – depth and the ability to play any style. They can go small, go big, go long, etc… If this team fails to reach the Finals, expect a new head coach in 2010-2011.
Who would I hire?
Glad you asked. Same guy I wanted last time – Pat Riley. My second choice is Hubie Brown – current television analyst And if you want me to go three deep – Scott Skiles, current Bucks’ head coach. Skiles’ teams ALWAYS overachieve.
All this is predicated on LBJ returning ofcourse. He he walks, it won't matter who coaches. Hell, no one will want the gig.
Of course, all of this talk won’t be necessary if Mo Williams plays well in the post season. The Cavaliers picked up my boy Antwan Jamison to protect themselves against Mo getting the “deer in headlight” look as he did last year in the post-season.
We covered this ground months ago. Simply put – the organization is not confident Mo can be that consistent second scorer when it counts most.
But if Mo can stay in front of opposing point guards on occasion and consistently give them 16-20 a night in May and June, the Cavaliers will be almost impossible to beat 4x in a seven-game series with Cleveland playing game 7 in its building.
This leads us to his performance in game #1 versus the Celtics. It was good to see Williams actually man up in the second half after getting abused in the first half by Rondo. This was a first and a good sign for the Cavaliers.
I don’t think anyone realizes how close Mo was to getting benched in that game and perhpas going into a funk for the series.
Williams actually showed some pride and stepped up after getting embarrassed. Usually, if Moe gets handled early, you don’t hear much from him the rest of the night. He fades instead of taking on the challenge. This was not the case in game 1against Boston. Hopefully, this will give him confidence to play consistent basketball through the rest of the post-season.
He doesn’t have to go off every night – just knock down the open looks, don’t turn it over, and PLEASE TRY to stay in front.
However, if he isn’t making shots and guys are flying by him – Brown has other options this time around. That’s why this team should come out of the east.
We have loved Mo since day 1 in a Cavalier uniform. Remember, we described him as the best player LBJ has ever played with before the rest of the world figured it out. However, he (MW) did not show up last season when it counted most. That hurt this team.
Management went out and added a true #2 scorer (A. Jamison) just in case Mo went AWOL at some point in the 2010 post-season. However, if Moe shows up, it should be 6games max versus the Celtics and the overrated Magic.
We’ll discuss the expected Lakers-Cavs series if and when that takes place.
MVP
Who were the morons who voted for Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant for MVP?
LBJ just earned his second straight MVP award. I have it at four in a row, but what do I know?
Do you remember the garbage team he took to the Finals when San Antonio swept them a few years back? Tell me he wasn't the best player in the league that year?
Regardless, the guy has gotten better in all phases every year with the one exception we have hammered for years – posting up.
If he ever truly worked and emphasized that part of his game, he would simply be unstoppable and the Cavaliers would be better for it.
I still believe he will average a triple-double for a full season at some point in his career – just to break the boredom.
But first thing first – he needs a handful of rings before the legend reaches epic proportions – at least in my mind.
Dallas Mavericks
Why can’t the basketball world figure this one out?
When you need to go out and acquire toughness to offset the softness of your best player (Dirk N.), you have a problem.
Yes, Dirk will go into the Hall of Fame. And yes, he’s the best shooting big man of all-time. But he's soft. Period. And therefore, his team is soft.
Teams either take on the personality of their coach or their best player. That's just the way it is. See, you learn something new every time, don't you?
He never made the adjustments necessary for his team to advance – get stronger, post up more often, go to the basket more, stop fading away so much, and improve his average passing skills. Doing those things would have made him better, his teammates better, and given his teams a better chance to advance come post-season.
I know it’s hard to get a superstar to buy in when he’s leading you to 50+ win seasons every year and earning MVP votes. But the Mavs have been flawed for years and ditto for Nuggets, whose superstar (Carmelo) is moody and mostly just a scorer.
I still hate it when people put Anthony in the same conversationa as LBJ and D. Wade. He's not in their league. He doesn't make others better ever night. How many times do I need to say it?
Jerry Sloan
I think Jerry Sloan is an amazing coach. His system works. Period. But if I were interviewing him after game 1’s loss to the Lakers, I would ask him why he didn’t take the ball out of Kobe’s hands down the stretch. Cardinal sin coach.
Sloan let the other team’s best player beat him. Game 1 is on him. I don’t care how many career wins Sloan has. You NEVER let the other team’s best player beat you if you can avoid it. In basketball, you can control that factor by doubling and tripling when necessary.
If Artest, Gasol, Odom, or fill in the blank make the plays to beat you, you live with it and move on. But why give the best player on the floor the opportunity to beat you?
Look, would you rather face the sixth hitter in the line-up with the game on the line or Eddie Murray in his prime?
Sloan didn’t make the correct coaching move, and the Jazz – my FAVORITE organization in sports because they do it the right way and their players play the right way – lost!
Stupid Statement of the Month
Every once in a while, you hear something said that instantly destroys someone’s credibility. It’s like an Indians’ announcer, who will go unnamed, who once wondered why the Indians were squeezing with two out and a runner on third.
They weren’t you moron, he was simply bunting for a hit hoping to catch the opposition sleeping – just like some dude in KC pulled on them last week.
I was watching some late afternoon sport talk show last week - which was my first mistake - when some female sportswriter, or whatever she was, mentioned in passing that Milwaukee Bucks' rookie B. Jennings would be a future MVP candidate.
Yea – and bats will fly out of my ass next time we turn the clocks back come fall lady.
Yes, Jennings had a nice rookie year – but future MVP candidate? How does one process that insanity? Maybe she had a bad hair day or was having her monthly cramps. Who knows. But this isn't limited to female media members mind you.
I hear such nonsense all too often and it makes me wonder how some of these people cash their checks without wearing masks.
It's really just a simple case of being exposed.
Again, one of my pet peeves in sports in full display - the media is now part of the show. Thirty years ago we didn't know who these people were or what most of them looked like. Now they have their own shows, are in front of us more than the athletes and coaches, and many show their biases, short-term sports memories,and in some cases, their pure ignorance, on a regular basis.
Which bring me the question - what does a sportswriter have to do to get fired? In other words, has one ever been canned for not knowing shit about sports?
Oil Spill
Okay – so now we won’t be able to drill for oil off our coasts because we had a spill off the Louisiana coast and a bunch of lobsters will turn up dead. Great. Why don’t we just go back to the wheel and buggy and before we had penicilin to cure crabs?
Hell, I don’t even eat at Red Lobster. The only fish I eat is shrimp.
When you try to advance the human condition, shit happens! It’s called the cost of progress. I'm not happy about it, but you don't tuck tail and run when something goes wrong. Too bad we are becoming so soft, we can’t even state the obvious.
Thank goodness this generation didn't fight WWII. We'd all be talking German right now or eating rice 3x daily.
Do me a favor, next time you see a smart car – take a look who is driving.
It’s usually an ugly broad from NOW (The National Organization of Ugly Women) or a bearded college professor who spent the late 1960s and early 1970s on a commune avoiding taking baths for fear it would drain our water supply, all the while growing lettuce and weed in the garden.
Had enough?
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