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Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Celtics vs Lakers game seven: More than just a game for Kobe, Pierce
When discussing the greatest rivalries in sports, some obvious answers come to mind. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Michigan vs Ohio State. North Carolina vs. Duke. Packers vs. Bears. But perhaps one rivalry that is above the rest, if not at least special in its own right, is the bitter hatred between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
As we approach the first NBA Finals game seven between the Lakers and Celtics since 1984, one thing is for certain: Tonights game seven is bound to be a classic.
In 1984, Dick Stockton and Tom Heinsohn were the television announcers. K.C. Jones was coach of the Celtics and Pat Riley coached the Lakers. Larry Bird was the face of the Celtics and Magic Johnson was the face of the Lakers.
In 26 years, so much has changed, but at the same time, so little has changed. While yes, each team has different coaches, a different roster of players, and we are no longer privileged enough to have Dick Stockton calling the game, one thing remains the same: The air suddenly becomes a little thicker whenever the Lakers and Celtics are facing off, due to the tension mostly. While yes, the rivalry isn’t nearly as physical as it once was, don’t think for a second that the mystique between these two teams has changed. Players on both teams will tell you that when these two teams match-up, the atmosphere is a little different. The rivalry between these two teams only makes a game seven in the NBA Finals all the more exciting.
There are hundreds of statistics that point both ways as indicators to which team will win tonights game seven. The Boston Celtics are 7-0 all time in NBA Finals game sevens, including 4-0 against the Lakers. Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson have never been in a game seven. The Celtics starting five of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett-Perkins has never lost a playoff series. But with the recent injury to Perkins in game six, that starting lineup is forced to change for tonights game. The loss of Perkins inside is a huge blow for Boston. Pending Doc Rivers decision, either Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis will step in to play power forward as Kevin Garnett moves to center for tonight.
Some people may look at game seven between the Celtics and Lakers as ‘just a game’, but that is where they are sadly mistaken. Tonights game seven is much more than ‘just a game’. Game seven will determine legacies for players on both teams.
If Los Angeles loses, the doubters will say Kobe could never beat the Celtics when it mattered and he couldn’t get that fifth ring to tie Magic Johnson. Kobes four rings will look like nothing compared to Michael Jordans six rings and Magic Johnsons five rings. However, if the Lakers win, there will be even more talk of Kobe not only being the best Laker ever, but perhaps the best basketball player ever. Kobe Bryant is already commonly recognized as one of the best to ever play the game, but with a win tonight would only further give merit to the argument of Kobe being better than other past greats such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and perhaps even the great Michael Jordan. I’m not saying I would agree with Kobe being the best basketball player ever, because at this point and time, that’s just not true. But a fifth
championship ring would go a long way to supporting #24s case in the MJ vs Kobe debate.
Tonights game seven for the Boston Celtics also goes a long way in determing where Paul Pierce ranks on the list of all time greatest Celtics. A loss tonight would leave Paul Pierce still with only one championship ring, although that lone Finals win did come against the Lakers in 2008. Larry Bird, the greatest player in Boston Celtics history, has three rings. A win tonight for the Celtics would leave Paul Pierce with two rings, and Pierce would come that much closer to narrowing the gap between Bird and himself.
While Bryant (31 years old) and Paul Pierce (32 years old) are still years away from retirement, tonights game seven will have severe implications on each players legacies.
Like it or not, game seven will affect each players legacy. Perhaps that is unfair though. We can almost guarantee that both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce come to play tonight, and play well. What we cannot guarantee though, is how each players supporting cast plays. Each players supporting cast has been innefective at times during this post-season, and even more so in the Finals. So when it really comes down to it, players like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest will determine Kobes legacy with how they play tonight. On the other hand, players like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo will determine Paul Pierces legacy tonight with how they play. It sounds funny, but it’s true.
Bottom line: Both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce are among the greatest players of not only this generation, but are also among the greatest players in the history or their respective franchises. The old adage is “It’s just a game.” But it’s funny, because tonights game seven isn’t just a game. It’s more than a game. It’s career defining. It will leave imprints on legacies. It will make history. It will transcend good players to great players. So when you are sitting on your reclining chair tonight, watching game seven unfold in front of your eyes, consider this for a second: Tonights game seven will be talked about ten years from now. Tonights game seven will be talked about twenty years from now. Tonights game seven will be talked about when your children are parents. Tonights game seven is more than just a game, it’s history.
As we approach the first NBA Finals game seven between the Lakers and Celtics since 1984, one thing is for certain: Tonights game seven is bound to be a classic.
In 1984, Dick Stockton and Tom Heinsohn were the television announcers. K.C. Jones was coach of the Celtics and Pat Riley coached the Lakers. Larry Bird was the face of the Celtics and Magic Johnson was the face of the Lakers.In 26 years, so much has changed, but at the same time, so little has changed. While yes, each team has different coaches, a different roster of players, and we are no longer privileged enough to have Dick Stockton calling the game, one thing remains the same: The air suddenly becomes a little thicker whenever the Lakers and Celtics are facing off, due to the tension mostly. While yes, the rivalry isn’t nearly as physical as it once was, don’t think for a second that the mystique between these two teams has changed. Players on both teams will tell you that when these two teams match-up, the atmosphere is a little different. The rivalry between these two teams only makes a game seven in the NBA Finals all the more exciting.
There are hundreds of statistics that point both ways as indicators to which team will win tonights game seven. The Boston Celtics are 7-0 all time in NBA Finals game sevens, including 4-0 against the Lakers. Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson have never been in a game seven. The Celtics starting five of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett-Perkins has never lost a playoff series. But with the recent injury to Perkins in game six, that starting lineup is forced to change for tonights game. The loss of Perkins inside is a huge blow for Boston. Pending Doc Rivers decision, either Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis will step in to play power forward as Kevin Garnett moves to center for tonight.
Some people may look at game seven between the Celtics and Lakers as ‘just a game’, but that is where they are sadly mistaken. Tonights game seven is much more than ‘just a game’. Game seven will determine legacies for players on both teams.
If Los Angeles loses, the doubters will say Kobe could never beat the Celtics when it mattered and he couldn’t get that fifth ring to tie Magic Johnson. Kobes four rings will look like nothing compared to Michael Jordans six rings and Magic Johnsons five rings. However, if the Lakers win, there will be even more talk of Kobe not only being the best Laker ever, but perhaps the best basketball player ever. Kobe Bryant is already commonly recognized as one of the best to ever play the game, but with a win tonight would only further give merit to the argument of Kobe being better than other past greats such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and perhaps even the great Michael Jordan. I’m not saying I would agree with Kobe being the best basketball player ever, because at this point and time, that’s just not true. But a fifth
championship ring would go a long way to supporting #24s case in the MJ vs Kobe debate.
Tonights game seven for the Boston Celtics also goes a long way in determing where Paul Pierce ranks on the list of all time greatest Celtics. A loss tonight would leave Paul Pierce still with only one championship ring, although that lone Finals win did come against the Lakers in 2008. Larry Bird, the greatest player in Boston Celtics history, has three rings. A win tonight for the Celtics would leave Paul Pierce with two rings, and Pierce would come that much closer to narrowing the gap between Bird and himself.
While Bryant (31 years old) and Paul Pierce (32 years old) are still years away from retirement, tonights game seven will have severe implications on each players legacies.
Like it or not, game seven will affect each players legacy. Perhaps that is unfair though. We can almost guarantee that both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce come to play tonight, and play well. What we cannot guarantee though, is how each players supporting cast plays. Each players supporting cast has been innefective at times during this post-season, and even more so in the Finals. So when it really comes down to it, players like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest will determine Kobes legacy with how they play tonight. On the other hand, players like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo will determine Paul Pierces legacy tonight with how they play. It sounds funny, but it’s true.
Bottom line: Both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce are among the greatest players of not only this generation, but are also among the greatest players in the history or their respective franchises. The old adage is “It’s just a game.” But it’s funny, because tonights game seven isn’t just a game. It’s more than a game. It’s career defining. It will leave imprints on legacies. It will make history. It will transcend good players to great players. So when you are sitting on your reclining chair tonight, watching game seven unfold in front of your eyes, consider this for a second: Tonights game seven will be talked about ten years from now. Tonights game seven will be talked about twenty years from now. Tonights game seven will be talked about when your children are parents. Tonights game seven is more than just a game, it’s history.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Lakers hoping "Home, sweet home" isn't just a saying
Five games deep in the 2010 NBA Finals and we, as fans, have seen it all, haven't we?
We've seen Ray Allen score 27 points in the first half of game two and set the record for most three pointers made in an NBA Finals game with 8 only to be held to two points in game three on 0-13 shooting. We've seen Kobe Bryant, the best closer in basketball, get shut down in the fourth quarters of games three and four. We've seen Kobe Bryant score 19 points in the first eight minutes of the third quarter in game 5, and yet the Celtics still outscored the Lakers in that same third quarter.
Then again, have we really seen it all?
With a maximum of two games left in the 2010 NBA Finals, both of which are slated to be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, anything can happen in these remaining games.
What I'm waiting to see in game six on Tuesday night is for the Lakers to play like the Lakers we are accustomed to seeing.
Yes, Kobe Bryant is the focal point of this Lakers team, but he does not need to be the only point of the offense. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest and Derek Fisher all need to contribute more on the offensive end. The five of them combined for only 42 points in game 5. Bryant had 38 alone. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo combined for 45 alone. Do you catch my drift? The Celtics are getting more production out of two players than the Lakers can get out of five. It's no wonder the Lakers are trailing in this series, the only Lakers player who consistently shows up is Kobe Bryant.
Down 3-2 in the 2010 NBA Finals, the Lakers can't afford to have any more poor production from Gasol, Odom, Bynum, Artest, or Fisher. One more bad game for the Lakers, and the 2010 season ends in disappointment for Lakers fans across the globe.
Los Angeles Lakers fans have become accustomed to using the old cop out "Don't worry, Kobe won't let us lose this game." I'm sure plenty of fans have that mentality going into game six, and even more will have that mentality if the Lakers force a game seven in Los Angeles.
However, who wins and who loses isn't all up to Kobe like most Lakers fans like believing. Despite being the greatest player on the planet, and one of the greatest players to ever step on the hardwood, Kobe Bryant can't do this on his own. At the end of the day, when it's all said and done, basketball is a team game, and Kobe can't make up for his teammates lack of production on the court. Kobe scored 38 points in game 5 on a very efficient 13-27 shooting performance, including a third quarter where Bryant scored 19 points alone.
While the Lakers 86 points in game 5 was the lowest amount they have scored this entire postseason, perhaps the biggest problem for the Lakers though, lies on the defensive end of the floor. While Boston only scored 92 points in their game 5 victory over Los Angeles, they scored those 92 points on 40-71 shooting from the field. That's over 56%. If you let an opposing team shoot 46% from the field, that's too high. Yet if you let a team shoot 56% from the field, you might want to give Bruce Bowen a call and ask him how to play defense, because you clearly have no clue.
In game 5, the Celtics had way too many easy looks inside. Simple lobs and catches led to easy lay-ups and easy points in the paint. Too much separation between Paul Pierce and Ron Artest allowed Pierce to score 27 points and play like the superstar he is. It just proves true the old adage "Defense wins championships." Without defense, the Los Angeles Lakers can certainly not win this finals match-up.
Yet when all else fails, Los Angeles Lakers fans have become accustomed to using the old cop out "Don't worry, Kobe won't let us lose this game." However, who wins and who loses isn't all up to Kobe like most Lakers fans like believing. Kobe can put up 50+ and the Lakers can score 100+ points in game 6, but none of it will matter if the Lakers let the Celtics shoot anywhere near that high of a percentage again. As every knowledgeable NBA fan knows, it's all about defense in the playoffs, especially the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant can only cover one man at a time. Without contributions and extra efforts from his teammates, the Celtics will be popping champagne in the Staples Center sometime this week.
It's do or die time for the Lakers. Most Lakers fans are assuming that just because the Lakers are returning home to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, that everything will be alright. But Lakers fans, do you remember game two? Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett only combined for 16 points total in game two, and the Celtics still beat the Lakers on the road. So don't get too comfortable before you automatically assume homecourt advantage will solve all of the Lakers problems, because if you do, you can get ready to here Kevin Garnett yelling "Anything is possible!" at midcourt of the Staples Center.
We've seen Ray Allen score 27 points in the first half of game two and set the record for most three pointers made in an NBA Finals game with 8 only to be held to two points in game three on 0-13 shooting. We've seen Kobe Bryant, the best closer in basketball, get shut down in the fourth quarters of games three and four. We've seen Kobe Bryant score 19 points in the first eight minutes of the third quarter in game 5, and yet the Celtics still outscored the Lakers in that same third quarter.
Then again, have we really seen it all?With a maximum of two games left in the 2010 NBA Finals, both of which are slated to be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, anything can happen in these remaining games.
What I'm waiting to see in game six on Tuesday night is for the Lakers to play like the Lakers we are accustomed to seeing.
Yes, Kobe Bryant is the focal point of this Lakers team, but he does not need to be the only point of the offense. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest and Derek Fisher all need to contribute more on the offensive end. The five of them combined for only 42 points in game 5. Bryant had 38 alone. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo combined for 45 alone. Do you catch my drift? The Celtics are getting more production out of two players than the Lakers can get out of five. It's no wonder the Lakers are trailing in this series, the only Lakers player who consistently shows up is Kobe Bryant.
Down 3-2 in the 2010 NBA Finals, the Lakers can't afford to have any more poor production from Gasol, Odom, Bynum, Artest, or Fisher. One more bad game for the Lakers, and the 2010 season ends in disappointment for Lakers fans across the globe.
Los Angeles Lakers fans have become accustomed to using the old cop out "Don't worry, Kobe won't let us lose this game." I'm sure plenty of fans have that mentality going into game six, and even more will have that mentality if the Lakers force a game seven in Los Angeles.
However, who wins and who loses isn't all up to Kobe like most Lakers fans like believing. Despite being the greatest player on the planet, and one of the greatest players to ever step on the hardwood, Kobe Bryant can't do this on his own. At the end of the day, when it's all said and done, basketball is a team game, and Kobe can't make up for his teammates lack of production on the court. Kobe scored 38 points in game 5 on a very efficient 13-27 shooting performance, including a third quarter where Bryant scored 19 points alone.
While the Lakers 86 points in game 5 was the lowest amount they have scored this entire postseason, perhaps the biggest problem for the Lakers though, lies on the defensive end of the floor. While Boston only scored 92 points in their game 5 victory over Los Angeles, they scored those 92 points on 40-71 shooting from the field. That's over 56%. If you let an opposing team shoot 46% from the field, that's too high. Yet if you let a team shoot 56% from the field, you might want to give Bruce Bowen a call and ask him how to play defense, because you clearly have no clue.
In game 5, the Celtics had way too many easy looks inside. Simple lobs and catches led to easy lay-ups and easy points in the paint. Too much separation between Paul Pierce and Ron Artest allowed Pierce to score 27 points and play like the superstar he is. It just proves true the old adage "Defense wins championships." Without defense, the Los Angeles Lakers can certainly not win this finals match-up.
Yet when all else fails, Los Angeles Lakers fans have become accustomed to using the old cop out "Don't worry, Kobe won't let us lose this game." However, who wins and who loses isn't all up to Kobe like most Lakers fans like believing. Kobe can put up 50+ and the Lakers can score 100+ points in game 6, but none of it will matter if the Lakers let the Celtics shoot anywhere near that high of a percentage again. As every knowledgeable NBA fan knows, it's all about defense in the playoffs, especially the NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant can only cover one man at a time. Without contributions and extra efforts from his teammates, the Celtics will be popping champagne in the Staples Center sometime this week.
It's do or die time for the Lakers. Most Lakers fans are assuming that just because the Lakers are returning home to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, that everything will be alright. But Lakers fans, do you remember game two? Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett only combined for 16 points total in game two, and the Celtics still beat the Lakers on the road. So don't get too comfortable before you automatically assume homecourt advantage will solve all of the Lakers problems, because if you do, you can get ready to here Kevin Garnett yelling "Anything is possible!" at midcourt of the Staples Center.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The night Strasburg rocked Rochester
The buzz in Rochester surrounding Strasburg was different from anything I have ever seen before. Strasburg was originally slated to pitch against the AAA Rochester Red Wings on Tuesday, May 18th. Due to rain, his start was pushed to the night game of a day/night doubleheader at Frontier Field on May 19th.
The Rochester Red Wings are the MLB affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, so Rochester fans have seen their fair share of talented players. Francisco Liriano, Michael Cuddyer, Matt Garza, Jerry Hairston Jr, Curt Schilling, Mike Mussina, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and even Cal Ripken Jr. all played for Rochester at one point or another during their professional careers. I wasn't old enough, or even alive, to see some of these players play for the Red Wings when they did, but I do know that Strasburg brought a different buzz to Rochester than any other previous player.
My friend received four free tickets through his boss at work, so me and some friends decided to go check out Strasburg and see what he was really all about. I'm fortunate enough to live only twenty minutes away from Frontier Field in downtown Rochester, therefore going to a Red Wings game is something that I can do whenever I choose to do so.
The media before Strasburgs start was in a craze. No matter what local news station or newspaper you watched or read, Strasburg was the main focus of interest. While trying to find parking at Frontier Field, there were masses of people crossing streets to get to Frontier Field. Looking out of the window of the car, I was amazed by all the people attending the game. The crowd at Frontier Field was easily the largest I had ever seen at a Red Wings game, hands down.
To explain to you just how big the crowd at Frontier Field was, consider this: On May 17th the Rochester Red Wings hosted the Louisville Bats. The total attendance for the game was 3,542. On May 19th, when Rochester hosted Stephen Strasburg and the Syracuse Chiefs, the attendance for the night game (in which Strasburg started) was 12,590. Need I say more? Strasburg sparked so much interested in Rochester, as I'm sure he does in every city he pitches in, that nearly ten thousand more fans showed up to see him pitch.
While I have made it clear what Strasburgs 'buzz' was like off the field in Rochester, you're probably wondering "Yeah, so, what did you think of him on the field?"
On the field, Strasburg was everything I anticipated he would be (and more). From inning one to his last pitch with one out in the seventh, it never seemed as if he became tired or fatigued. He consistently hit 97 MPH on the radar gun and even hit 98 a few times. His backdoor junk was nasty. Plain and simple. What doesn't look like a strike at first ends up hooking around and freezing the batter, most of the time making opposing hitters look foolish, as Strasburg is accustomed to doing. His change-up wasn't perfect, but it's good enough to keep opposing hitters at bay. Strasburg is known for his fastball, but his off-speed pitches are good enough to make it so no player can sit and wait on his heater.
Through his 6.1 innings against the Red Wings, Strasburg allowed only three hits and only walked two people, while striking out nine and not allowing one run to score.
Strasburg has everything you would expect a prospect, who gets as much publicity as he does, to have. Composure, control, velocity, and more. Some 'experts' have stated that his throwing motion is 'too violent' and he will eventually develop arm injuries as a result. Experts can say what they want and form their own opinions, but the one thing I do know is that Stephen Strasburg is undoubtedly an absolute phenom. For any of you doubters out there, I'm here to set the record straight: Stephen Strasburg is the real deal.
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